How to learn photography?!
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I'm not a regular poster in this forum, but do often look and (try to!) learn from everyone.
I have only a Casio Exilim Z40 kind of point and shoot jobby at the moment, so I have no opportunity (with an SLR, for example) to experiment and 'take control'.
I understand the basics and, hope, that I have a 'keen eye' but really want to learn properly, with the hope of ultimately getting myself a nice bit of kit.
My question - is there some sort of course, maybe a book, or something online, a video etc. etc. that you may recommnd to give me something constructive to learn from?
I understand it's a never-ending-learning-experience, but I was after something to give me basics that I can base from. Not uni or anything like that - I work full time (but night school would be good).
So, thanks for taking time to read, and I appreciate any suggestions you may have. Oh, and the pic in my profile was NOT taken by me - I'm not that good (yet) :)
Thanks!
Tony
I'm not a regular poster in this forum, but do often look and (try to!) learn from everyone.
I have only a Casio Exilim Z40 kind of point and shoot jobby at the moment, so I have no opportunity (with an SLR, for example) to experiment and 'take control'.
I understand the basics and, hope, that I have a 'keen eye' but really want to learn properly, with the hope of ultimately getting myself a nice bit of kit.
My question - is there some sort of course, maybe a book, or something online, a video etc. etc. that you may recommnd to give me something constructive to learn from?
I understand it's a never-ending-learning-experience, but I was after something to give me basics that I can base from. Not uni or anything like that - I work full time (but night school would be good).
So, thanks for taking time to read, and I appreciate any suggestions you may have. Oh, and the pic in my profile was NOT taken by me - I'm not that good (yet) :)
Thanks!
Tony
Hi Tony,
Don't worry about the kit you have - it's what you point it at that makes the image.
I've been told that:
Beginners worry about their choice of camera
Amateurs worry about their choice of lens
Pros worry about the light....
I would simply keep taking the photos - play with the modes on your camera - portrait / landscape etc, and see the results.
There are loads of books around covering the basics of photography - charity shops are a good place if you want to go that route, other wise just look at other peoples photos, and take on board what you like.
Hope that helps, (sort of)
Chris
Don't worry about the kit you have - it's what you point it at that makes the image.
I've been told that:
Beginners worry about their choice of camera
Amateurs worry about their choice of lens
Pros worry about the light....
I would simply keep taking the photos - play with the modes on your camera - portrait / landscape etc, and see the results.
There are loads of books around covering the basics of photography - charity shops are a good place if you want to go that route, other wise just look at other peoples photos, and take on board what you like.
Hope that helps, (sort of)
Chris
A good photo is a good photo no matter what camera takes it.
A 'proper' camera SLR type will allow you more scope, better choice of lense/ISO etc but most stuff can be done with any camera 80-90% of shots are point and shootable.
No idea what control you have over your camera have a poke around you may have shutter speed or something. But as said its mostly down to what you point the camera at.
A 'proper' camera SLR type will allow you more scope, better choice of lense/ISO etc but most stuff can be done with any camera 80-90% of shots are point and shootable.
No idea what control you have over your camera have a poke around you may have shutter speed or something. But as said its mostly down to what you point the camera at.
Hi Tony
I'm currently going through the "all the gear, no idea" phase myself!
I've been through a couple of books and the best i've read so far is by John Hedgecoe:
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1857328361/ref=pd_sr_ec_ir_aps/202-6331704-1675026
I'm currently going through the "all the gear, no idea" phase myself!
I've been through a couple of books and the best i've read so far is by John Hedgecoe:
www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1857328361/ref=pd_sr_ec_ir_aps/202-6331704-1675026
tonyhetherington said:
My question - is there some sort of course, maybe a book, or something online, a video etc. etc. that you may recommnd to give me something constructive to learn from?
Yep, the Simpo Two idiot's guide to cameras! Mail me you re-mail address for a free Word doc. I admit it's very basic but those are the bits they don't teach these days, bah, mutter!
This online course looks good, and it's free 
I've tried using a few books myself, and of the ones I've got, this one is good. It explains the basics like what aperture means, how it relates to shutter speed for a correct exposure, how different cameras and lenses work and what colours work together in an image.
The best way to improve however is to practice and take lots of photos. Once you've got a good grasp of the basics (e.g., rule of thirds, what light looks good etc...), and have read the instructions on your camera so you don't have to think twice about what button to press, get out there, take lots of photos and then be as critical as you can be when looking at them afterwards.
Don't be afraid to throw photos away, but do try to work out why you don't like them. Is it that the colours don't work together, or the composition looks odd or it's just out of focus or blurred as you used too slow a shutter speed? When you see a photo that you like, try and think how it was taken. If you don't have much control over camera settings, then there's probably not much point in making a note of aperture and shutter speed settings at the moment, but you can try to work out what time of day it was taken, the direction of the light and how it has been composed.
Also don't be afraid to post them up here, or other forums on the net (e.g., www.fredmiranda.com or www.photography-on-the.net). Other people's comments can be very useful in finding out what works and what doesn't in an image.
Hope this helps!
I've tried using a few books myself, and of the ones I've got, this one is good. It explains the basics like what aperture means, how it relates to shutter speed for a correct exposure, how different cameras and lenses work and what colours work together in an image.
The best way to improve however is to practice and take lots of photos. Once you've got a good grasp of the basics (e.g., rule of thirds, what light looks good etc...), and have read the instructions on your camera so you don't have to think twice about what button to press, get out there, take lots of photos and then be as critical as you can be when looking at them afterwards.
Don't be afraid to throw photos away, but do try to work out why you don't like them. Is it that the colours don't work together, or the composition looks odd or it's just out of focus or blurred as you used too slow a shutter speed? When you see a photo that you like, try and think how it was taken. If you don't have much control over camera settings, then there's probably not much point in making a note of aperture and shutter speed settings at the moment, but you can try to work out what time of day it was taken, the direction of the light and how it has been composed.
Also don't be afraid to post them up here, or other forums on the net (e.g., www.fredmiranda.com or www.photography-on-the.net). Other people's comments can be very useful in finding out what works and what doesn't in an image.
Hope this helps!
Thanks everyone, there's some really (what I hope to be!) good advice up there - I appreciate your replies.
I will certainly take a look at my local night schools also, but in the mean time I will find some of those books mentioned and have a read!
Oh, and Simpo - you have mail!
Thanks again everyone
Tony
I will certainly take a look at my local night schools also, but in the mean time I will find some of those books mentioned and have a read!
Oh, and Simpo - you have mail!
Thanks again everyone
Tony
Simpo's document is great... a really informative read...
I'd add to this that an old cheap SLR (ebay is full of them, have a search for something like Olympus OM-10) is a great way to learn, I've been "playing" with mine for about 6 or 7 months now and my hit rate is rising to 6-7 shots out of 24, which I'm rather pleased with...
But most of all, enjoy it, the more you enjoy it, the more you'll want to do it...
slinky
587racing.com
I'd add to this that an old cheap SLR (ebay is full of them, have a search for something like Olympus OM-10) is a great way to learn, I've been "playing" with mine for about 6 or 7 months now and my hit rate is rising to 6-7 shots out of 24, which I'm rather pleased with...
But most of all, enjoy it, the more you enjoy it, the more you'll want to do it...
slinky
587racing.com
wedge girl said:
she sees a picture where as I see an object.
That's very profound, you may have put your finger on something important I hadn't defined before.
imperialism2024 said:
My advice is just to take pictures... lots of them. And to start to recognize what you need to do to make your pictures look better.
Possibly, but I prefer the 'think before you press' route. If you can't spot a good picture in the viewfinder, why will you spot it later when you see it on a computer monitor? It's too late then to go back and make it better.
>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 9th August 10:39
I had a read of simpo's file a few months ago, it brings a fe things back to the front of the mind.
I tend to find i'm too critical of my shots, I spend a day taking a couple of hundred images and settle on less than 10 I consider 'keepers'
If I show the images to friends and family, they seem to agree on liking many more.
I'm currently struggling to get a take on architecture, I spent a day at portmeirion last weekend and upon revuing the images i'm confused now as to what I was after
I'm going to sign up for one of those 1 to 1 courses to help me get more from my camera.
I tend to find i'm too critical of my shots, I spend a day taking a couple of hundred images and settle on less than 10 I consider 'keepers'
If I show the images to friends and family, they seem to agree on liking many more.
I'm currently struggling to get a take on architecture, I spent a day at portmeirion last weekend and upon revuing the images i'm confused now as to what I was after
I'm going to sign up for one of those 1 to 1 courses to help me get more from my camera.
Michael Langford's 'Basic Photography' is one of the best photography books ever published in this country. It is the bible. It is very well illustrated, written in a way that is easy to understand and there are summaries and projects at the end of each chapter. Langford also wrote 'Advanced Photography', another excellent publication. This is directed at advanced level students (A level and above), serious enthusiasts and trainee technical studio and lab staff. They would be very worthwhile investments.
I've never liked Hedgecoe myself, but that is personal preference. He is one of the most popular authors of photography technical/reference books.
I would strongly recommend doing a City and Guilds evening course. Having taught photography over a ten year period, I think that it is the one that you would find most suitable and beneficial for what you require. You will need to get a 35mm SLR or a format other than a 35mm compact, ie. medium format, in order to fulfil the requirements of this course.
I've never liked Hedgecoe myself, but that is personal preference. He is one of the most popular authors of photography technical/reference books.
I would strongly recommend doing a City and Guilds evening course. Having taught photography over a ten year period, I think that it is the one that you would find most suitable and beneficial for what you require. You will need to get a 35mm SLR or a format other than a 35mm compact, ie. medium format, in order to fulfil the requirements of this course.
nighthawk said:
I tend to find i'm too critical of my shots, I spend a day taking a couple of hundred images and settle on less than 10 I consider 'keepers'
If I show the images to friends and family, they seem to agree on liking many more.
I suspect you want to explore ahead of the pack and take nice photographs, not wonky snaps. Perhaps you're firing away without thinking much, which is why you discard 90%. But maybe you are simply more critical than your family. Whilst you might be troubled that a shot is not quite sharp, or there's a branch spoiling the composition, they just see Uncle Peter, Auntie Joan etc.
>> Edited by simpo two on Saturday 13th August 09:22
simpo two said:
I tend to find i'm too critical of my shots, I spend a day taking a couple of hundred images and settle on less than 10 I consider 'keepers'
If I show the images to friends and family, they seem to agree on liking many more.
I suspect you want to explore ahead of the pack and take nice photographs, not wonky snaps. Perhaps you're firing away without thinking much, which is why you discard 90%. But maybe you are simply more critical than your family. Whilst you might be troubled that a shot is not quite sharp, or there's a branch spoiling the composition, they just see Uncle Peter, Auntie Joan etc.
>> Edited by simpo two on Saturday 13th August 09:22
What simpo said.
I don't think most people are too critical about what they see, though probably they could differentiate, if asked, between a reasonable snap and something considerably better. And they will almost always err on the positive side - being family.
I suspect that 10 out of 200 - especially if using digital with its no cost throwaways - is about right for the number of images that get close to being truly satisfying as opposed to satisfactory.
Magazine shoots, especially fashion, surely have a much lower usage rate than that. Perhaps landscapes too.
In about 30 years of interest in taking photographs I have quite a few which I like and invoke memories (when I dig them out of the storage - they would be so much more accessible if I get around to digitising them ...!) but maybe no more than half a dozen that I think are really nice images with reasonable technical acceptance. Just 4 of them seemed good enough to enlarge and hang on the wall. (Though they too are 'resting' at the moment.)
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