The Photograph Composition and Color Design

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Why not learn both together? Then you don't have to unlearn bad habits?

Man, that is some sage advice. Been there, done that.

[J Eddington]

Originally Posted by AeroClassics

I agree it should be! I have submitted and asked.....but not much comes back. I am making, what might be a rash assumption, that the level of proficiency on the site is so high that there is more for those at that level to learn by C&Cing each others work than C&Cing real newbies. I can understand that, really. It appears to me that photography is as more of an art than a science. The science covers the mechanics (shutter speed, aperature, depth of field etc) and then the art takes over. Not everyone is interested in teaching folks who may still be struggling with the science (like me). They would rather apply their limited time to working with each other on the art. I can't say I totally blame them. I wish it was different but I suspect this is the way it is. Based on comments here I will not spend my money on this book because I have a whole lot to learn, I think, before I am at a level where this book will help me.

Doug

Doug, this forum is so big sometimes I miss posts. Some times, it is all about timing. So don't give up on getting a C&C. Others may look and be like yourself and not know what to tell you. Just keep asking.

[AeroClassics]

Two salient points! Hadn't thought about learning both together. My mind naturally tries to break apart a problem into small pieces an outgrowth, I guess, of what I do for a living. That is worth pursuing, I think.

The other is how large this forum is and how easy it is to miss posts. You are right, of course and is a far more reasonable answer than my previous thought.

Thanks.

[JPalmer]

Douglas... don't despair.

One of the problems on here is the sheer number of people who don't have a basic understanding and yet have no desire to read the information for themselves.... rather they would choose to be spoonfed what to do.

Those are the posts that I ignore. If you don't care to read your camera manual... or any of the 1000s of instructional websites or many more 1000s of books.... why should I try to explain what the relationship between shutter speed and f-stop.

For me... and for a lot of others on here, I know that it comes down to personal responsibility.

That being said, I'm not lumping you in that group of people whatsoever... but there are a lot of those type of people on here. I'm one of those "how-to" guys as well and I love the challenge of reverse-engineering a photograph and figuring out the science behind how it was taken.

Keep asking good questions.

[AeroClassics]

Despair? No. Annoyed, frustrated...........maybe. You bring up a good point and one I was trying to make earlier. People only have so much time in a day. I belong to several other forums for my first love, antique aviation, scale R/C modeling and woodworking. I too try an answer as many questions as I can based on my personal knowledge of the subject or firsthand experience. But some questions are better off being sought for elsewhere as the information is easily available. It is really all about time.

I have limited knowledge and firsthand experience with photography, at least as it comes to capturing pictures that are more than just snapshots. But I have been bitten by the bug and want to know more. I have no real desire to become a professional, but that doesn't mean I don't want to take better pictures. I am reading every tutorial/informational/advisory web site that I can find on my Rebel XT. I am also trying to read/peruse every site I can on basic photography (please send links if you have any anyone, I am building up a pretty good list). But it is probably OK to lump in that group as sometimes it is just easier to ask a basic question than to plow through many websites for the answer.

I am encouraged by the responses here and will continue to plow on as I just hate having a tool with lots of capability and not knowing how to use it properly!

This forum has already had a positive influence on me. I was reviewing the 400 or so photos I took over a 4-day weekend with my daughters High School Choir and Orchestra as they made their Spring trip. This was New Orleans. As I looked through the pictures, culling out the obvious disasters, I began to look at some and wonder why I did what I did when taking the shot. I also have started to look at a photo and kick myself for not changing the WB or upping the ISO for a low light shot etc. It is pretty elementary, but it is a start!

Doug

[barP]

you're off to a good start!

here's what i find about forums....first, it seems that only about 10% of members actively talk, and the rest just lurk. of those that talk, they may not say anything about a post for several reasons:

the image is so bad, or the question so dumb, that there's just nothing to say without significant risk of hurting someone's feelings (i appreciate everyone that has kept silent on my behalf for this reason!!!)

the image is so good people are speechless.

the image is so complex, subtle, sophisticated, or weird that they don't understand it and therefore have nothing to say.

they don't know the answer to your question.

so....take heart, because of these four reasons, only one is actually about the person asking the question or posting the image!

wp.

ps. i have just finished crawling through the first two chapters of this book. "rigorous" might have been an understatement....

pss. and, whatever palmer says.....do it.

[AeroClassics]

barP thank you! Your experience bout forums parallels most folks I think. It also brought a chuckle when one was needed!

I got it. If Palmer says do it......do it!

Doug