I have extreme interest and passion for photography but I’m pretty new to it and am still very bad at it. Are there any tips?
TIA!
I started out by checking out photography on google. Then I went to the library and checked out pretty much every book that had to do with photography. I take the camera every where I go, and just keep shooting!
Experiment with all the different functions on your camera. And experiment with the editing process. Some of the better pictures that I have taken are because of the editing. The more pictures you take, the better you will be with it.
Good luck and Have fun with it!
9 Responses to “Beginner photography tips?”
I started out by checking out photography on google. Then I went to the library and checked out pretty much every book that had to do with photography. I take the camera every where I go, and just keep shooting!
Experiment with all the different functions on your camera. And experiment with the editing process. Some of the better pictures that I have taken are because of the editing. The more pictures you take, the better you will be with it.
Good luck and Have fun with it!
References :
Here, read all this:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm
And then go to school
References :
proFotog
Go to these sites, buy all their books, study them religiously:
http://www.mitchellfunkart.com
http://www.richardavedon.com
http://www.e-photobooks.com/ca.....oment.html
http://www.masters-of-fine-art.....us_01.html
http://www.nationalgeographic.com
V2K1
References :
learn your f-stops and shutter speeds, they’re very key
just experiment with it, evolve your own style
and try to keep an open eye for aesthetics
have fun
References :
Get a DSLR if you don’t have one yet… and don’t be afraid to use the manual features. We use the Canon Rebel XTi at the Art Institute.
Work on lighting and composition… most importantly PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!
References :
Taking photography classes is the best way to learn. Check with your local high school and community college.
Reading will help. These books were reviewed in the Dec. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine and you can read the reviews at shutterbug.com:
"Hands-On Digital Photography" by George Schaub
"How Digital Photography Works, 2nd. Edition" by Ron White
An older book I recommend is:
"Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, 3rd. Edition" by George M. Craven.
The more you learn about light, composition and the use of f-stops and shutter speeds the better you’ll get.
Working at a slower pace and actually taking time to really look at the scene and decide what kind of image you want to make and then figuring out how to make it will also help.
Usually, the first view of a scene is seldom the best. Take time to look at it from different perspectives – from a kneeling position or lying flat on the ground; standing on a bench or tree stump. Often simply moving a few feet to the right or left will improve the scene. Ignore the main subject and look all around the viewfinder. Is there a piece of litter or a dead branch or a powerline that will detract from your image?
My only knock against digital photography is that, IMO, it encourages what I call the "machine gun" approach to photography. Take 300 shots and hope 10 or 20 are worth having. Or spend hours at your computer using an editing program, trying to make a mediocre image into an average image.
When out photographing, hum the old tune "Slow down, you move too fast. You’ve got to make the moment last. Slow down, you move too fast…"
References :
This is my basic answer for this question.
You do not need to go to formal school to become a photographer but you have to learn it from somewhere be it from a class room environment or from you reading and doing things on your own. Some people require the hands-on of a teacher to gain knowledge and others can understand by just reading a book so choose which would be better for you.
Depending how good you are at shooting and marketing your images will depend on your income. You can starve one year and be feasting the next.
1. You should learn the technical aspects of photography and your camera (composition, shutter speed, rules of thirds, depth of field etc), once you understand these you will be able to create better images.
2. Shoot in "M" (manual mode) because you will have more control over your camera and not the other way around. When you are in one of the "Auto" modes the camera will just read the highlights and shadow areas and try to get you a picture. The camera is not smart enough to know what you are shooting.
3. You can start reading all kinds of books on this subject and get information from the internet. This includes web based classes, manufactures web sites to personal blogs.
4. Buy the best professional DSLR camera that you can afford this also includes good lenses. Take out your camera and manual sit down and go over all the buttons and knobs etc.. this is the best way for you to learn what your camera can do.
5. Start shooting with your camera to get practice and from what you are learning from reading and doing you will get better. Practice does make perfect. Take notes while shooting and then look at your photos on the computer find the best one from that set and see what you did to get the shot and why you like it more than the others.
6. You can get yourself a job as a photographers assistant (be it payed or free) and learn from that person.
7. My suggestion is to find a part of photography that you would have an interest in and point in that direction and specialize. You will try to produce a better image of that subject opposed to just "having" to shoot it.
8. Areas of photography include portraits, wedding, product, nature, travel, fine art and journalism. Some of these career fields require a studio with special lighting others do not but require different lenses and other equipment and techniques.
9. A good portfolio (website) will speak for itself. Just make your portfolio fit to the people you are presenting it to. Example: If showing to a bride for a wedding, remove landscapes and corporate images they just want to see wedding images only and your style. If you have a website do the same and tailor it towards your clientele and leave the "fluff" images out.
Since you have access to the internet here is a start: Some you have to pay for and some are free.. start with the free stuff of course.
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/…...
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp…...
http://www.shootsmarter.com/
http://www.webphotoschool.com/
http://www.lexar.com/dp/index.html?cmp=e...
Studio Lighting info
http://www.studiolighting.net/.....ng-styles/
Photoshop classes
http://www.russellbrown.com/
http://www.80four.co.uk/
http://www.photoshopcafe.com/
http://graphicssoft.about.com/.....ources.htm
http://graphicssoft.about.com/c/ec/1.htm
Photoshop Elements Classes
http://inpics.net/pselements.html
Just incase you need info on a degree
http://www.photographyschools.com/
Hope this helps,
Kevin
References :
Professional Photographer
Hi,
Check out http://www.mushly.com
There is a basic photography section for beginners.
Have fun
References :
My training company has video classes designed just for you… we have a whole digital photography trac that includes multiple (beginner) level classes that cover everything from travel photography, people photography, best practices for using your camera etc… there’s free classes on these too…
References :
Siotha
Director of Training, xTrain Online Video Training
Designer, Trainer, Photographer, Mom, Online TV producer