Photography courses - online and evening classes?
Discussion
Hi all,
I was wandering if you had any recommendations for good resources etc for a total beginner to photography. My X-mas pressie this year will be my first ever DSLR (Eos 650D) with the standard 18-55 lens, I'm truly excited but short of putting it in auto and snapping away I have no idea what anything does, what different terms mean, types of lenses etc.
Wold a photography course at a local college be worthwhile or would I be better off studying websites/books and going from there?
Thanks in advance...
I was wandering if you had any recommendations for good resources etc for a total beginner to photography. My X-mas pressie this year will be my first ever DSLR (Eos 650D) with the standard 18-55 lens, I'm truly excited but short of putting it in auto and snapping away I have no idea what anything does, what different terms mean, types of lenses etc.
Wold a photography course at a local college be worthwhile or would I be better off studying websites/books and going from there?
Thanks in advance...
Hi Zippee,
Congrats on the camera, I got the same camera as you a few weeks ago and it's an impressive bit of kit! Like yourself, I am a newbie to photography so I'm still getting to grips with things but I have done the following:
1) Read online tutorials on the settings and modes on the camera. I did this before I even bought it just so I'd have a clue as to all the modes on the dial and what they did. There's loads of site's out there so have a Google when you have time.
2) Read the instructions that come with the 650D. I'm a typical man and never usually bother with reading instructions that come with shiny new gadgets but I took exception in this case. The manual gives you a good idea of what you need to do to get certain types of shot. I also keep it in the bag for my camera so I can use it for reference if I get stuck when I'm out taking shots.
3) There's lots of books that can help you, one that was recommended to me by someone on here was 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson which is a tenner on Amazon. I've not read it yet as it's on my Santa's wishlist.
4) This is probably the most important one - get out there with your camera and experiment (but not in auto mode!). I go out for a couple of hours when I get chance and take loads of pictures using different modes/settings/angles. I then upload them onto my Mac when I get home to see the differences in the photo when I change the exposure for example. You soon start to get an idea of what you need to do to get different results. Plus it's not like a 35mm film camera where there's cost involved with each photo you take, if you don't like something just delete it off the card!
5) Chat to friends or family who are into photography. I'm lucky in the fact that I have several friends who are keen amateurs and my dad used to have an interest. It's amazing what you can learn off them!
I hope this is of some use to you. Like I say, I'm a complete beginner but I'm having lots of fun learning. Come the New Year I may well look into going on a beginner course but we'll see what happens.
Good luck with your camera!
Rich
Congrats on the camera, I got the same camera as you a few weeks ago and it's an impressive bit of kit! Like yourself, I am a newbie to photography so I'm still getting to grips with things but I have done the following:
1) Read online tutorials on the settings and modes on the camera. I did this before I even bought it just so I'd have a clue as to all the modes on the dial and what they did. There's loads of site's out there so have a Google when you have time.
2) Read the instructions that come with the 650D. I'm a typical man and never usually bother with reading instructions that come with shiny new gadgets but I took exception in this case. The manual gives you a good idea of what you need to do to get certain types of shot. I also keep it in the bag for my camera so I can use it for reference if I get stuck when I'm out taking shots.
3) There's lots of books that can help you, one that was recommended to me by someone on here was 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson which is a tenner on Amazon. I've not read it yet as it's on my Santa's wishlist.
4) This is probably the most important one - get out there with your camera and experiment (but not in auto mode!). I go out for a couple of hours when I get chance and take loads of pictures using different modes/settings/angles. I then upload them onto my Mac when I get home to see the differences in the photo when I change the exposure for example. You soon start to get an idea of what you need to do to get different results. Plus it's not like a 35mm film camera where there's cost involved with each photo you take, if you don't like something just delete it off the card!
5) Chat to friends or family who are into photography. I'm lucky in the fact that I have several friends who are keen amateurs and my dad used to have an interest. It's amazing what you can learn off them!
I hope this is of some use to you. Like I say, I'm a complete beginner but I'm having lots of fun learning. Come the New Year I may well look into going on a beginner course but we'll see what happens.
Good luck with your camera!
Rich
^ What he said!
The basics are best learnt from experimentation and reading the manual etc. I did a beginner evening course and felt that it was a bit of a waste of time, as already understood the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Where formal training is more useful is when you start to specialise, landscapes/portraits etc.
The basics are best learnt from experimentation and reading the manual etc. I did a beginner evening course and felt that it was a bit of a waste of time, as already understood the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Where formal training is more useful is when you start to specialise, landscapes/portraits etc.
Books by Tom Ang are easy to read and informative.
Heard good reports about this company:
http://experience-seminars.co.uk/
Check out the Christmas Catalog ... has several DVDs targetting the 650 and also more general courses.
Heard good reports about this company:
http://experience-seminars.co.uk/
Check out the Christmas Catalog ... has several DVDs targetting the 650 and also more general courses.
Zippee said:
Thanks all, I've just ordered 'understanding exposure' so we'll see what I can gleen from that. Really looking forward to Xmas day now so I can have a play.
With regards types of lenses that would be suitable - any particular recommendations? Is there anything I need to look out for?
What would have been my first recommendation so good that you've got that covered. It's a very good book. With regards types of lenses that would be suitable - any particular recommendations? Is there anything I need to look out for?
Zippee said:
With regards types of lenses that would be suitable - any particular recommendations? Is there anything I need to look out for?
Get up to speed with the kit lens first, then when you need another lens, you will know. First you need to know how cameras work, then you have to learn about digital imaging, then you can play with extra lenses Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff