auto-shooter

[judybelle]

Hi, my name is Judy and I'm an auto-shooter. I don't understand the technicalities of picture taking so I let the camera take over. I came here hoping to gain some knowledge and maybe overcome this affliction. Seriously if it weren't for the auto mode (and digitalization) none of my pics would be worth saving.
My camera is a Canon Power Shoot AS20IS (or something like that). I like to take pics of landscape, grandkids, birds, or just about anything. Landscape for me is usually the easiest (it doesn't move!).
BTW I hail from the Lone Star State and have lived near the Gulf Coast all of my life.

[Ricco]

I feel your pain.
When I had my Samsung Lumix I did it all the time, and then I was introduced to other forums and saw some awesome pictures.

I wanted more.

Much more.

So I started playing around with some of the controls, ruining pictures, my sanity, and my ego at the same time.

I finally had to commit to a camera and got a Sony A55 and STILL used quite a bit of the auto mode.

My baby steps towards manual mode only began after I actually started reading books.
Don't worry, you'll get there, but its a bit of a walk.

[judybelle]

Thanks for the reply Ricco. My main problem I think is failure to commit, being the world's worst procrastinator. That and really not understanding the aspects of picture taking other than point and shoot. I've thought about taking a camera course just so I can learn more. Hey, I wonder if there is a "picture taking for dummies" book. Hadn't thought about that before. I'll have to search!

[auddii]

This is a good starting point for understanding the basics of photography:

Pixtus.com: Book: Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

Also, if you're willing to drive into Houston, there are some leisure learning classes that are fairly basic (what does this button do?).

Also, Abel and Sonny created a cheat sheet that explains some of the basics: Pixtus Photography Cheat Sheet

[judybelle]

Thank you Audrey for the links. The link to the cheat sheet (a Facebook freind posted it) is actually what brought me to this site; I thought "what the heck?" and signed up.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by judybelle

I thought "what the heck?" and signed up.

excellent! You can learn as much or as little , as quickly or as slowly as you desire. We're all here to help.

[Hanky]

Welcome to the forum!

[carrbowl]

hang around the forum...you will learn way more than you ever thought!!! you won't ever shoot auto again, and you will wonder why you thought it was so hard!!! probably just need someone to help...and get that awesome new photography cheat sheet that the forum put out!!! it is a must for a beginner!!

[RexGig]

Welcome! Once the basics of Aperture Value, Manual, and perhaps Time Value have been learned, you will never want to shoot Auto again. I am NOT the least bit a techie-type, and became comfortable with Av right away. Manual took a little bit longer to grasp. Unless I am using flash, I still do not use Manual very often.

[Ahh!]

Welcome from Frisco!

[iCe]

Welcome... don't let all the buttons keep you from shooting images. That's what it's all about.. that and having fun with it.

[xseption]

Welcome to our little corner of the web!

[lhdvies]

Welcome Judy!!