Another newbie & accepting advice !!

[amcneal00]

The name is Amber & for the longest I’ve had a love for photography- just never desired to be a full time professional photographer with a studio & assistant- I just love capturing moments in my family and friends lives & freezing them with a click of a button so they can remember those moments. I’ve never owned a “big girl camera” but it’s about time I get one and I have no idea where to begin.

All though middle school I had disposable cameras- I was always the annoying kid who had the camera in your face. In high school I owned a few digital cameras but nothing spectacular and then about 4 years ago for Christmas my husband bought me a Nikon Coolpix P80 and I thought I was in heaven (remember I am not a professional ) and I took photos of my daughter and family functions. I was the one the family called because I had the greatest camera and I was always snapping photos.

Recently I had a son (he was in the NICU for a month- one of the scariest times of my life) and I took so many photos because we honestly didn’t know if he would recover ( 7 months later- you wouldn’t even know he was in the NICU) and with that leads me today. We never know when the lord will call one of his angels home and I want to capture every moment possible but I need a decent camera to get going.

I am open to any suggestions and recommendations. I am not looking to be a professional overnight- but I am looking into taking classes at some of the Houston Photography places I’ve read online. I want to get a better understanding for little technical things on the camera, what each button means, the functionality of the camera and photo editing software. BTW- my husband bought me Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 to get started with.

I am lucky to have his full support and now I just need the advice and help. This is where you guys come in. He says if I can learn and still have a love for photography then I can look into getting a “big girl camera” as I put it for Christmas. Thank you for all the tips ahead of time! They will be greatly appreciated.

[groovyone]

Welcome aboard! There are a few of us in the League City/Dickinson area too. One of these days we'll do an easy local get together.

[amcneal00]

Perfect- that sounds great. Thank you!

[groovyone]

BTW, GREAT news about your son! My daughter who is now 4 months old was in the NICU too, fortunately only for a week or so, but even that was rough. Glad he is home with you. We'll have to make it a kid friendly GTG for sure.

[texxter]

Welcome, Amber! It's wonderful to hear your son is doing well!

Even the least expensive DSLRs are very good these days, and probably plenty capable to help grow as a photographer. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus are good brands - I use Nikon because I like their lenses and ergonomics. My suggestion is that you go to a store and handle the cameras so that you get a feel for their ergonomics.

This may be helpful: Top Beginner DSLRs

[amcneal00]

I felt like I had an out of body experience. I went in for a routine scheduled delivery and that day changed my life. I was in at 6:30am and in the OR with a 7lb 13oz son 2 hours later who was rushed to the NICU for many complications. Without going into too much detail- We just met and all :) - if I didn't deliver that Wednesday- the doctor told me we would have delivered a still birth and I thank the lord each moment I can spend with my babies. I definitely had an angel in the room looking over me that day. I've never taken so many photos in the last 7 months- all my gifts from friends are albums :)

Thank you for the kid words & we can do the kid friendly get together- maybe I can take some photos at the park or something as a learning tool- make every experience a learning one!

[MHampton]

Welcome to this wonderful affliction called Photography. It will devour any free time you may have had in the past, and you will love every minute of it.

Like you, I am the "family photographer". I've never made the jump to being a pro because i like to shoot what I like to shoot, and my "real job" pays for my photography habit pretty well.

As for learning, use the link here and go to the amazon store and pick up the book "Understanding Exposure". You will learn a LOT from that book. I bought it aftering playing around for several years and it gave me new ways at looking at making pictures.

Another method I used was the course at NYIP (New York Institute of Photography). While I never "finished" and turned in all the pictures to get my certificate, I did complete all the lessons and learned a LOT of the basics there. I don't know if they still work this way, but if you request their material and then don't respond in a couple of months, they used to send out a discount to take the courses at a cheaper price.

The other thing is to keep shooting. And if you post a picture for critique, be open to the words of those here. Most of them have been doing this a long time and they are good. Be prepared to know that your pictures may not be a "perfect" as your family members and friends tell you. :)

Bottom line, the more you shoot, and the more you listen to the critiques of others who you learn to respect, (you'll figure out the ones that really matter), the better you will become.

Again, welcome! I'm sure we all look forward to seeing you grow in the art!

[amcneal00]

Thank you texxter- I will read up on the information at home tonight. I will more then likely end up with a Nikon or Canon ( no offense to the other camera lovers out there ) I just have always used those two brands- but I am open to others- just sell me on a certain camera and ill do the research.

[amcneal00]

MHampton- Indeed- I will look into getting some books on Photography. I have a full time job that I love & this is something I could see myself doing on the side or weekends to fund my shopping habit that my hubands hates- but that is a few years & classes to come.

I see what your saying about family- they always try to make you feel like you have done your best job- which is great- but I need some tough love. I want someone to tell me their professional opinion and what I can do to improve. I am not afraid of harsh words( just don't belittle me ) & I take everything and learn from it. I am excited to finally have some time to learn new aspects of photography. Bring on the information!

[amcneal00]

Here is are a few questions I have. Is there a forum regarding specs on cameras? How do I know which camera is going to offer the best for me unless I understand what all the specs mean?

I've read some terms and I am clueless ( well besides what the internet tells me )

What is a good resolution? What about shutter speed? I would want something quick right to capture moments in a flash? What is apeture? What about Megapixels?

I thought learning my job in healthcare was hard- this seems a little overwhelming and I don't want to walk into a camera store and get sold because some guy is trying to meet a quota. I am not easily influenced but I believe people have sales jobs to help support the customers' needs and not 'just' bring home a paycheck- well that is just me- I strive to help or I wouldn't love what I do.

[texxter]

All entry level DSLRs offer very comparable features. You may want to the public library or bookstore and get a beginner's book on photography - basic concepts like exposure, depth of field, etc. need to be understood pretty early. You gotta do that yourself.

[groovyone]

Understanding Exposure

Understanding Exposure is a MUST HAVE book. I really cannot recommend it enough. Many friend have used my copy to learn and really got a lot out of it.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Understanding Exposure

understanding exposure is a must have book. I really cannot recommend it enough. Many friend have used my copy to learn and really got a lot out of it.

+1

[Hanky]

Welcome!

[clbryant1981]

Welcome to the forum the Nikon d3100 is a great starting place imo-