Just getting started

[heathercaptures]

Not sure if this is the correct spot for this question, again I apologize I am new and still figuring out the entire forum.
When you first started what tips where you given or would have loved to know then? For example for a newbie like myself, beside getting out there at actually taking photos, searching forums, etc. Where there certain things that you wished you would have knows about lighting, models, cameras etc.? I have been reading whatever I can on the forum for tips, bought a few exposure books, just looking to get some tips from photographers that are going through or have gone through the start up!
Thanks!!!

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by heathercaptures

Not sure if this is the correct spot for this question, again I apologize I am new and still figuring out the entire forum.
When you first started what tips where you given or would have loved to know then? For example for a newbie like myself, beside getting out there at actually taking photos, searching forums, etc. Where there certain things that you wished you would have knows about lighting, models, cameras etc.? I have been reading whatever I can on the forum for tips, bought a few exposure books, just looking to get some tips from photographers that are going through or have gone through the start up!
Thanks!!!

Heather,

A lot of these people forget we all started out as newbs. Don't you ever feel bad for asking questions. The majority of us are here to help. There are a few bad apples but just ignore those assholes.

I say you're off to a good start with books and forums. Oh yeah, you'll need a camera too. You might want to get one so you can start practicing right away.

If you're willing to work hard and search this forum, you'll find a wealth of information. I'll get you started. First thing is visit this LINK and bookmark it! It contains acronyms, definitions, valuable links, & an FAQ.

Books - In the beginning I started with these two books. I'm sure other members will suggested more books that helped them learn.
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
The Photographic Guide to Exposure by Chris Weston


The purpose of this forum is to help everybody grow as a photographer. We want you to be comfortable coming in here asking for help. Hopefully in a few years you'll be able to do the same for another person wanting learn.

[heathercaptures]

Thanks that is very cool, I will study hard. As like most of you photography is something that I love to do and I feel like it is my calling so any advice tips, comments are great!!! Thanks again!

[toverman]

"Understanding Exposure" is an excellent book. If you find you like Bryan Peterson's style of writing/teaching, take a look at "Learning to See Creatively" as well.

You mentioned in another thread that you don't have a camera yet. Most important purchases are the lenses. Which ones depend on what you will be photographing most often and in what conditions. The camera body itself is important in many aspects, but they don't have the longevity that quality lenses enjoy. If you don't have many or any Nikon-mount lenses, it's a great time to switch to Canon ().

If having a business is your eventual goal, nail down all the things you'll need to be legal and legitimate before charging for your work and launching as a pro. There are a ton of things to consider (see the Business section for some of the answers/questions). But first, master the basics of photography including exposure, lighting, posing, etc. etc. You might even try to assist other photographers on a variety of shoots to see what interests you the most (this advice is most helpful with weddings, which is a different animal all unto itself). Then delve into how to determine pricing, followed by Web site(s), marketing, advertising, etc. etc. etc. With pricing, there are a lot of counter-intuitive things, such as my goal isn't to get more work but to get better work (more enjoyable clients who are willing to pay more for quality and service).

There are local and national photo associations to join. A cool thing is that you can usually subscribe to the magazines for cheap without memberships to get a feel for what each has to offer. Professional Photographers of America has "Professional Photographer" and WPPI has "Rangefinder." Both great reads and generally useful.

Most important? Whatever you do, have as much fun as possible. Photography is just a thing.

[ChristopherCoy]

NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK! Find a few 'pros' and follow them. And anytime there is a meetup, or a chance to ask a question and pick some brains TAKE IT! The knowledge I've gained from just hanging out with other photographers is INVALUABLE!

And here is a little tip... DONT ever ask about weddings, or logos!!!!!

[J Eddington]

KNOW YOUR CAMERA! Study the manual and know how to adjust all the settings.Do one chapter a week in your manual until you know how to use it. If you don't know what it does, how can you use it.

[zebulus]

I usually suggest people learn with a film camera first, though many may disagree with me. Definitely pick up the book understanding exposure and learn how incident light, shutter speed, and aperture work. Understand ASA. Learn how to properly expose first, then everything else will follow.


I think it should be in this order:

1. Exposure
2. Composition
2.Everything Else....


Though im sure many will disagree with me.

[heathercaptures]

Thanks for the advice sounds like a few things to ponder on!

[ronocnikral]

books have their place. but, i've read so much about skiing and i'm no where near where i would like to be. it's because i only get to do it about 5 days a year now.

i think the most important thing is to put a camera in your hand and use it. then critique yourself and/or have someone else critique you. then figure out what you wanted to do and why you had something not come out the way you wanted. then practice some more. be honest and don't try to pass crap off as gold. my wife and i critique each other and we can be pretty harsh, but it's how we learn.

the books can help with the gaps, but the practice and camera in hand is the most important thing. i agree with zeb about the film, but most don't find it practical. you can achieve the same thing with a digital camera.

i agree with sonny about the assholes too. even if it is me. some of us let our emotions get the best of us when we think someone is taking a dump in our sandbox.

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

i agree with zeb about the film, but most don't find it practical. you can achieve the same thing with a digital camera.

The reason I say film is because its far too easy for people to throw their camera into auto and fire away. I even do it myself when im shooting with digital.

However, when I shoot with film, I know I have a limited amount of shots. I stop, slow down, and think about exactly what im going to shoot, what my light is like, I check my meter (if I have one) or I will "sunny 16" it.

I focus slowly, I take my time, wait until I see exactly what I want in the shot, and then I fire.

You dont get this experience with a digital camera.

[RKEnnis]

Originally Posted by zebulus

The reason I say film is because its far too easy for people to throw their camera into auto and fire away. I even do it myself when im shooting with digital.

However, when I shoot with film, I know I have a limited amount of shots. I stop, slow down, and think about exactly what im going to shoot, what my light is like, I check my meter (if I have one) or I will "sunny 16" it.

I focus slowly, I take my time, wait until I see exactly what I want in the shot, and then I fire.

You dont get this experience with a digital camera.

I tried really hard a few years back to learn photography with a film camera. It was really slow going for me for two main reasons.

1. My budget that the time was such that shooting film was a financial burden.

2. The delay between taking the photo and seeing the results made it much more difficult to learn from my mistakes. (Admittedly, I'm an immediate gratification sort of person.)

I think we all agree that lots of camera time is important to improving ones skills, and shooting digital can dramatically increase camera time.

Doing what you suggest has proven extremely valuable for me, and it CAN be accomplished with digital. It just requires some self discipline (or maybe shooting with the smallest available memory card).

A very good tip, at any rate!

[zebulus]

Yeah, I definitely understand the fact that film can be a tad more financially difficult when it comes to processing and purchasing film.

I didnt have the luxury of digital when I started learning in the early 90's. I mean, digital was around, KINDA, but my dad let me use his Pentax K1000 and thats what I learned on until I saved up enough to buy my own. Thats when I bought my Mamiya ZM. Now 15 years later, I shoot both, and I feel like Im better for the experience.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by RKEnnis

I think we all agree that lots of camera time is important to improving ones skills, and shooting digital can dramatically increase camera time.

Doing what you suggest has proven extremely valuable for me, and it CAN be accomplished with digital. It just requires some self discipline (or maybe shooting with the smallest available memory card).

of course, practicing the wrong thing will yield poor habits.

i agree that it can be accomplished through either medium.

oh, and you don't have to go buy books. i learned everything i know about photography from my wife and just playing around. so, i went to the library today and checked out understanding exposure. i got ansel's trinity on order so i can pick it up on my way home in a few days!

keep shooting. challenge yourself.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by heathercaptures

When you first started what tips where you given or would have loved to know then?

Painting and photographer are more intertwined than I realized. Knowing that faster would have been more helpful since I started when high key was everyone's cup of tea. (I was a painter 1st - terminology didnt translate 100%.)

Where there certain things that you wished you would have knows about lighting, models, cameras etc.?

Learn your camera so well that you know it like the back of your hand. This doesnt happen in a day. Dont freak out if it takes a while. Im a technoidiot and it takes me almost 9 months to learn how to use a new camera and know it like the back of my hand. At some point, you wont have to think about the techno stuff so much - you can just make it do what you want.

You can also learn things in tandum. I used to pick one thing and focus on it til I was blue in the face. And it was stuff I struggled with. Now, I pick 2-3 things I want to learn to do better and examine each one a little at a time. It seems less overwhelming to me that way.

The last part about being overwhelmed...when you finally realize that a monkey could NOT use a camera, you've earned your stripes! Taking that sucker off of auto opens a whole world of possibilities. ;o)

I have been reading whatever I can on the forum for tips, bought a few exposure books

Read everything you can get your hands on. Sometimes you have to hear things 2-3 different ways for it to click. The library is your friend - they have TONS of books. And honestly, I dont touch those any more. I wish we'd taken them out of the library instead of buying them.

And the last thing - always back up your stuff at least 3x. Everyone I know has had something go screwy with 2 of their backups at some point. Its common. So back stuff up from the beginning!

And have fun. I think the best photogs really enjoy what they do. ;o)

[heathercaptures]

Great ideas, my mother has a old 35mm that she was going to lend me. I wasn't sure about a film camera because I thought that it would be so much different. It sounds like the basics are the same though. I also admit instant gratification is something I am used to from all the great technology, and I don't want to be one of those auto photographers, really want to develop my photo art.
The library is a great idea!!!
Thanks again!