Photography Education

[laawaaris]

I take lots of pictures, but just now am starting to realize that my shots are just snapshots/grab shots - without any real understanding or foresight as to why I am taking the picture. That being said, some of the pictures I have taken are nice, but its probably also due somewhat to the fact that I have a dSLR.

Lately I have started to pause before taking pictures and have tried to "think" before taking a photo.

That being said, the learning process for me has been very slow. Probably this is due to the fact that photography is not my day job. But also the concepts are very strange and new and have taken me a lot of time to understand.

I wanted to know and ask, do you guys think serious education and training is necessary to understand the camera and learn what makes photos better (and also how lighting works).

I have thought lots of times about serious education because of how I feel about the subject, but I have not yet taken the plunge.

[tjavery]

Originally Posted by laawaaris

...I wanted to know and ask, do you guys think serious education and training is necessary to understand the camera and learn what makes photos better (and also how lighting works)...

Taking courses and workshops will definitely help you. You'll learn a lot from a good instructor as well as the other students. Sometimes you may just learn more from your fellow classmates

One of the best ways to advance your photography skills is to go out and practice. However, to be effective, this must be followed up by self-analysis when you get back home and look at your take.

Take a serious look at each photo and think about what you did. Camera settings, focal length, camera position, lighting, subject matter, composition, etc. Compare your latest batch of photos with those taken weeks or months ago.

It will take some time, but it's worth it!

[PIC]

Taking courses helps you AND those who charge for the course or write the book.

I have a B.S. in Pro Photo and would ONLY recommend that
if you were doing technical work like mine in photo engineering.

Dont forget Books at Barnes and Nobel Etc - its best way to see what works for names like Newhall, Avedon, Adams, ETC.

EL

[kachina]

Originally Posted by PIC

Dont forget Books at Barnes and Nobel Etc - its best way to see what works for names like Newhall, Avedon, Adams, ETC.

EL

Your public library probably has a good selection of books as well if you don't have $$$ to spend on books.

[ChuckW]

if you look at the educational resumes of well known photographers you will find that a number of them have degrees in photography, and many of them don't! I don't think that there is a definitive answer to your question. Workshops and courses will help, as will just reading posts and looking at photographs in this forum. If you just want to test the waters with a formal course you might consider taking a photography course at a local community college. These can often be taken on a continuing education basis w/o having to actually enroll at the college.

[Daniel Bates]

I learned with the help of a very good book, a film all-manual SLR (that makes you learn FAST), and TPF. No courses neccessary, thankfully for my wallet...

[laawaaris]

hmm thanks guys - i see what you are saying

there are a couple of schools i have been looking at but they are very high priced ... even so, i sometimes feel that a period of intense study is the best way to learn

the funny thing is a lot of these schools don't have much in terms of background requirements - i guess b/c they are Certificate programs - so it makes it more tempting to try it out

plus the local community college in Houston disbanded their photography program

[PIC]

Originally Posted by laawaaris

hmm thanks guys - i see what you are saying

there are a couple of schools i have been looking at but they are very high priced ... even so, i sometimes feel that a period of intense study is the best way to learn

the funny thing is a lot of these schools don't have much in terms of background requirements - i guess b/c they are Certificate programs - so it makes it more tempting to try it out

plus the local community college in Houston disbanded their photography program

B,
There are scams going on w many high priced "creative" photo schools.
Truth is with the 10 - 20 x explosion in photo - due to the digital revolution -
there is 10 - 20 x less options in making decent money at it.
Invest in real education that has payback I suggest or just read books
if you want to do photo as second income or for fun.

Measure twice - Cut once !

EL

[photosbymorgan2]

Another way to learn is to join a local photography club. Clubs usually have guest speakers who show different ways of getting good shots.

And of course the club members can be of great help also.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by laawaaris

I take lots of pictures, ... some of the pictures I have taken are nice, but its probably also due somewhat to the fact that I have a dSLR.

Some of your pictures may be good in spite of your DSLR. Good pictures are rarely the result of the equipment or software.

Here's a suggestion, probably worth exactly what it is costing you: Find a 1970s vintage fixed lens rangefinder camera. Everybody made them by the millions. Many models had very good, relatively fast lenses. Typically these lenses were in the 40mm to 45mm range with maximum apertures of 1.7 to 2.0. Most had built in light meters which may still work. They also had full manual controls. They are small & light & silent & unobtrusive. Depending on brand and model, they sell for anywhere from $25 to $200. Konica & Minolta seem to have made the best examples and command the higher prices. Konica lenses are about the best you can find. Canon made the most and they are easiest to find and least expensive.

Buy a camera like that. Be prepaired to spend $75-$100 on a CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust)and refurbishing. I know a repairman in Houston who is great with older cameras. Or be prepaired to spend more a camera that has already been overhauled. Buy a hand held meter. Buy a bunch of film. If you don't wish to develop your own negatives, you can buy C-41 process color or B&W film. Any mini-lab will develop the negatives and scan them to a CD for about $5/roll.

Keep it simple. Take pictures. Take more pictures. Study them critically. Read books from the library or borrowed from friends. Maybe even purchase a few you like. I have no clue what a one semester course costs these days, but I bet if you apply the same amount of money in my plan you'll be way ahead in the long run. And you'll have a nice invisible camera and meter to boot.

Good luck.

[Outlaw]

Everybody learns differently in different environments, just a fact of how we're wired. If what you're doing right now does not feel like it's giving you the most bang for your time or buck, try something different; study books, attend workshops, sit in at clubs, read on the net, and all throughout, practice. I do all of the above, and entering each with a spirit and goal of learning at least one thing, I've never been disappointed.

I will say that attending a three-day workshop down on the coast in spring of last year turned my photography on its ear; and it wasn't the technical knowledge or shooting technique that caused it, it was the experience, and then the style, or look, of the images I walked away with that set me on an entirely new path with my work. Inspiration and success followed accordingly.

[xseption]

I took a $35 continuing education course just to learn how to use my camera. I took many, many photos (let's talk thousands) of one type of subject (in my case, wildflowers) to understand what my camera can do. Then I took an art course at the local junior college ($95) which completely revised my way of thinking about photos and I have read many books as well.

Now, I take a seminar or two a year and I also enjoy TPF for further learning. That's where I am today. Feel free to use and enjoy this process ...

[laawaaris]

i like everyone's suggestions - thanks!

i have thought about getting a film camera for some time ... and i looked up the Konika Auto S2 ... i don't know anything about rangefinders, but I believe this is the type that VENCHKA recommended?

why would a rangefinder be better to learn from than an Film SLR ... there is a Nikon N80 that my friend is interested in selling ... is there any benefit to the rangefinder?

also, where in the world would i buy a Konika Auto S2 -- i cannot find it on BHPHOTO, EBAY or GOOGLE, and i'm plump out of ideas

[amy.blackburn]

I think I suck to much to answer this. But, I've learned a TON from photo seminars... although I do have a small background in film photography as well. Lots of good pointers already given by the 'old pros'!

[venchka]

HERE YOU GO:

KONICA S2 ON EBAY

The Konica S2 is only one of many good old rangefinders.

go to www.cameraquest.com and read about rangefinders in the archives.

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

Join the Rangefinder Forum and look around and ask questions there. www.rangefinderforum.com

Why a fixed lens rangefinder? Good lenses. Simple. Cheap. You will learn to see without any distractions. Great low light focusing.

I'm at work. Details later.