newbie tips from a hobbyist 2009

[toverman]

Originally Posted by venchka

If sharp is really important, why fool around with little bitty sensors in the first place?

Go big or go home!

Because I can carry my camera in my hand without two burly assistants.

[EyeBurn]

I didn't mean to open a can of worms by saying a better camera will provide sharper images.
It's a generalization...and obviously tripods are a must...and prime glass is more important than an expensive camera.

I'm a hobbyist, not a pro...there's all kinds of photography.
Last night at the meetup, Michaelle asked me what kind of photography I do. I said hobbyist, I shoot whatever I feel like for a few months (until I'm confident that I've sort of mastered that interest), then I try something else.

I lean towards the artistic side, but personally almost always use a tripod...and invest $ when I can. Since I'm into photography for me, to-date it's a one-way investment, the only two ways I know if I'm advancing is when I "see" the improvents and receive feedback from others.

previously some of my less than sharp images I've submitted to contests (which I felt are artistic), failed miserably. I still like the images, but obviously there's a large variety of viewers/reviewers.

-Benjamin
PS. I like the cat photo, although I can only figure out it's a dead cat and don't know what else is going on in the image.

[venchka]

Don't misunderstand. I like sharp too. I love sharp in the right place at the right time. I just figure there are lots of ways to get a sharp image. Many of those ways don't involve second mortgages or maxed out credit cards.

Example:

I bought this camera in almost new condition used in May of 1969 for $80. I foolishly sold it a few months later to fund the purchase of a Nikon F Photomic and a couple lenses. Dumb. Really dumb. The following samples were taken hand held. how do I know? I didn't get my first tripod until after I sold this camera.

Maybe too many samples, but they show various uses of sharp and not sharp.

#1. A little sharp and a lot of not sharp.



#2. Half & Half: Sharp & not sharp.



#3. Mostly sharp.



#4. All sharp.



Larger versions can be viewed here. Click on the little enalrge icon below the thumbnails.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/ven...rope-1969_001/

Keep in mind that these JPEGs are a mere shadow of the originals. JPEG files and monitors rob any photograph of about 90% of it's content.

OH. The camera and lens used? A Mamiya twin lens reflex camera (C3something-whatever was current in 1968-1969) with the standard 80mm f/2.8 lens. The film is Agfa L ISS. One camera. One lens. One film. Several decisions eliminated all at once. Greater emphasis on seeing. Less emphasis on rooting around in a camera bag for the perfect lens. I didn't own a camera bag either.

Perhaps I need to learn something from this trip into my past.

[EyeBurn]

great stuff Wayne, #1 and #4 would be awesome prints to have @ my office :)
if they were mine...

-Benjamin

[toverman]

We could "pull an Abel" and sell off everything except one camera body and two lenses. Wouldn't be so bad ...

I won't give up my camera bag, but I'm not averse to getting a smaller one.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by EyeBurn

great stuff Wayne, #1 and #4 would be awesome prints to have @ my office :)
if they were mine...

-Benjamin

Thank you. They will get printed soon enough.

The photo of the storm approaching Interlaken looks a lot better "up close and personal" in the TIFF file straight out of the scanner. It's a damn shame what happens between the original negative and a pinhead size JPEG on a monitor.

venchka added 0 Minutes and 46 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by toverman

We could "pull an Abel" and sell off everything except one camera body and two lenses. Wouldn't be so bad ...

I won't give up my camera bag, but I'm not averse to getting a smaller one.

Two lenses??????????? That's one too many!

[EyeBurn]

it's a gorgeous image of the valley with storm approaching, but if I printed that...my co-workers would know I bought it. I live in Houston :)

about to upload an image for the first time, if I can find the damn thing~

-Benjamin

[venchka]

Right. OK. Gotcha!

The German text on the headstone wouldn't give away that it wasn't yours?

[EyeBurn]

Is there a compiled list of recommended websites?
If not, would ppl post their favs?

I personally am always looking for more to read, study, and discuss.

thx,

Benjamin

[cooltouch]

Ben,

You've put together a great list that should work fine for giving the newbie bearings on the subject of digital photography. However, I recommend that one make at least a passing reference to film, especially with respect to how both film and digital cameras obey the same exposure rules, and also paying homage to the many good works written on the subject over decades past. There are a number of classics out there (such as Ansel Adams' series) that were written on the subject of photography back during the bygone days of film. I enjoy going to used book stores and looking through their photography sections. I've uncovered a few real treasures that way -- well, treasures to me, at least. Even though these old classics are written from the perspective of film photography, the essence of photography -- developing ones eye, and knowing how to record and develop what one sees to get the effect one wants -- is the same, regardless of the technology used to record the image(s).

Best,

Michael

[EyeBurn]

Michael,

I agree about photography history, etc...but personally, I recommend those stage 2 for the new folks.

also, I'm looking to other readers to post links / book titles / audiobooks (or podcasts)

thx,

Benjamin

[toverman]

Any of Bryan Petersen's books are excellent ... informative, easy to read with beautiful and inspiring photos. "Understanding Exposure" and "Learning to See Creatively" are my favorites so far.

[EyeBurn]

Bryan Peterson, I have both of the two you mention.
Talking about beautiful & inspiring, that brings up a great point.

Look up your local photography center/museums and galleries (major exhibits and soho types). I recently visited the NY International Center of Photography ( http://www.icp.org ) and the SOHO Photo Gallery (in NY) and wished we had something like that in Houston.
http://www.sohophoto.com
I do visit the Houston Center of Photography, it has a nice computer lab & library
http://www.hcponline.org

...and definitely go to FotoFest and various art festivals~
http://www.fotofest.org

when you do these various things...take notes (iPhone/smart phone or even a notepad).

-Benjamin