Photography - Advice Please
Discussion
Hi ALL,
I would like to take up photography as a hobby, however I am completely new to it.
I would like to think I have good vision and a creative mind but I would like some advice on where or what to start with.
- I know there must be some excellent websites on the web giving you tips, does anyone know of some excellent resources that are worth a browse?
- As a complete newbie what equipment would you suggest? I have no idea watsoever about different filters, lens and other technical things related to cameras and other associated equipment.
- I guess there are different ways of shooting different things but are there any general rules that you should consider when taking a photo?
- Is there any computer software that is a must for any budding photographer?
Any advice and comments would useful.
Thanks,
Spam
I would like to take up photography as a hobby, however I am completely new to it.
I would like to think I have good vision and a creative mind but I would like some advice on where or what to start with.
- I know there must be some excellent websites on the web giving you tips, does anyone know of some excellent resources that are worth a browse?
- As a complete newbie what equipment would you suggest? I have no idea watsoever about different filters, lens and other technical things related to cameras and other associated equipment.
- I guess there are different ways of shooting different things but are there any general rules that you should consider when taking a photo?
- Is there any computer software that is a must for any budding photographer?
Any advice and comments would useful.
Thanks,
Spam
Simpo Two said:
If you know nothing about photography I'd suggest you get a decent compact, Photoshop Elements and see how you get on. If you like it, you can go up from there. If you don't, you haven't spent too much.
Sound advice. You can always sell the compact on and get some of it's money back if you get hooked and want to move up to better and more flexible kit.A flash camera lets you take pics where a P&S cant, but it isnt any replacement for talent and an eye (and some knowledge).
80% of shots can be done fine with any old camera, its not the tool that gets the image. Infact most of the worlds famous photo's are technicaly poor anyhow, its the content thats important.
Just make sure you get a camera where you can have full manual control if you need it.
80% of shots can be done fine with any old camera, its not the tool that gets the image. Infact most of the worlds famous photo's are technicaly poor anyhow, its the content thats important.
Just make sure you get a camera where you can have full manual control if you need it.
RobDickinson said:
A flash camera lets you take pics where a P&S cant, but it isnt any replacement for talent and an eye (and some knowledge).
80% of shots can be done fine with any old camera, its not the tool that gets the image. Infact most of the worlds famous photo's are technicaly poor anyhow, its the content thats important.
Just make sure you get a camera where you can have full manual control if you need it.
agree with above!80% of shots can be done fine with any old camera, its not the tool that gets the image. Infact most of the worlds famous photo's are technicaly poor anyhow, its the content thats important.
Just make sure you get a camera where you can have full manual control if you need it.
Although some of the world's most famous photos are more to do with the composition and tehcnical aspect, i.e. capturing a moment that was so difficult with the technology available then.. as opposed to blasting a few hundred shots of and luckily capturing the precise moment you wanted to.
all imho of course!
Edited by ginettag27 on Wednesday 23 July 11:36
Agree with both of the above. Learn and understand the 'manual' basics as well. How shutter speed interelates with aperature size and iso settings. It sounds daunting but it is not. Knowing what 'manual' settings you can get away with in certain lighting conditions will enable you to get the image when the 'auto' function is confused. Good luck and enjoy.
alfasudqv said:
Learn and understand the 'manual' basics as well. How shutter speed interelates with aperature size and iso settings. It sounds daunting but it is not. Knowing what 'manual' settings you can get away with in certain lighting conditions will enable you to get the image when the 'auto' function is confused.
That's normally my advice too, but in this instance I'm interested to see how he gets on using auto settings first. That would show potential for spotting subjects and composition before getting too tecchy.
Hi ALL
Thanks for your advice I do already have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_panasonic_l... It's a fairly old camera now but has functions on there I never knew about or knew what they do till I looked properly last night so I'm going to see how I get on with that.
Thanks for your advice I do already have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_panasonic_l... It's a fairly old camera now but has functions on there I never knew about or knew what they do till I looked properly last night so I'm going to see how I get on with that.
Edited by Spam on Wednesday 23 July 20:14
RobDickinson said:
A flash camera lets you take pics where a P&S cant, but it isnt any replacement for talent and an eye (and some knowledge).
80% of shots can be done fine with any old camera, its not the tool that gets the image. Infact most of the worlds famous photo's are technicaly poor anyhow, its the content thats important.
Just make sure you get a camera where you can have full manual control if you need it.
Totally agree, I rather like this 80% of shots can be done fine with any old camera, its not the tool that gets the image. Infact most of the worlds famous photo's are technicaly poor anyhow, its the content thats important.
Just make sure you get a camera where you can have full manual control if you need it.
Taken on a Sony Cybershot U-20... It didn't even have a view finder..
What about picking up an old and completely basic 35 mm film camera for next to nothing, a good book on photography, and learning to use that in manual mode.
I suspect it'll be easier to pick up the fundamentals thay way than a fancy, i.e. expensive DSLR.
I did a lot of SEM work some years beack, and so needed to take some pics on the 120 mm camera attached to the machine (Kodak Ektachrome or something I think we used). And was trained on photography basics on a realy basic manual camera by a very kind technician. The relationships between aperture and focal depth, film speed (ISO) and exposure times became very clear very quickly, and cost next to nowt since we developed everything by hand ourselves.
I even learned how to dodge and burn my crap exposures with card cutouts on sticks.... makes me laugh now, happy days.
In fact I'm going to do this myself and get back to basics.
Anyone know if it is possible to pick up a B&W magnifier, developer and fixer kit cheap ?
I suspect it'll be easier to pick up the fundamentals thay way than a fancy, i.e. expensive DSLR.
I did a lot of SEM work some years beack, and so needed to take some pics on the 120 mm camera attached to the machine (Kodak Ektachrome or something I think we used). And was trained on photography basics on a realy basic manual camera by a very kind technician. The relationships between aperture and focal depth, film speed (ISO) and exposure times became very clear very quickly, and cost next to nowt since we developed everything by hand ourselves.
I even learned how to dodge and burn my crap exposures with card cutouts on sticks.... makes me laugh now, happy days.
In fact I'm going to do this myself and get back to basics.
Anyone know if it is possible to pick up a B&W magnifier, developer and fixer kit cheap ?
I would really suggest get a film camera. You will really start to compose your shots rather than just clicking away as with digital and looking at the screen on the back.
As with regards to filters etc don't bother until you really know what you are doing with regards to shutter speed/aperture/iso, the only thing i would suggest you invest in is a decent sturdy tripod.
As with regards to filters etc don't bother until you really know what you are doing with regards to shutter speed/aperture/iso, the only thing i would suggest you invest in is a decent sturdy tripod.
Problem with film is you have to wait ages to see the outcome, and by then you dont know how you acheived the shot anyhow (yes you can take notes but they get out of step).
And you dont know if you've totaly stuffed up a shot untill you cant retake it either.
You dont need a dSLR, there expensive, the guy has a perfectly adaquate camera to learn with, if 'photography' is his thing he can then stump up for a decent body etc.
And you dont know if you've totaly stuffed up a shot untill you cant retake it either.
You dont need a dSLR, there expensive, the guy has a perfectly adaquate camera to learn with, if 'photography' is his thing he can then stump up for a decent body etc.
Yes and thats exactly what I mean, you take the time to compose the image (depending on the subject) and you will put more effort into getting it right first time, you only "stuff up a shot" once. Anyway if he is on about filters etc I am assuming he was looking for a new camera as his wont take them. With over 18 years experience in commercial photography I can recommend one book to start you off on the right foot, that is Basic photography by M.J Langford.
Spam said:
Thanks for your advice I do already have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1
Ah, the bit that threw everyone was 'I'm totally new to it'.Right, first, wring the pips out what you've got. Get PS Elements as a cheap version of PS. If you get the stage where it won't let you do what you want to do, then get a starter DSLR and kit lens. Then you can start to learn properly, physics etc, as mentioned by others. If you can do composition, then you're away.
I know what they mean by 'get a film SLR' but DSLRs work exactly the same way, you can see the results of your experiments straight away (before you've forgotten what you did) and you don't have to fire off 100 shots and then delete 99. You can still think before you shoot. But you will need to learn about image processing because to my mind a DSLR is not complete without it.
Simpo Two said:
But you will need to learn about image processing because to my mind a DSLR is not complete without it.
++ thats a major part of (digital) photography. If you shoot RAW then its a must, unless you like the in camera JPG options its a must.Its also not cheating , photog's have been working images in darkrooms since it began, photoshop is just the digital equivelant.
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