Would a web class help???

[carrbowl]

I took a ton of shots this weekend --mainly just "snapshot" unfortunately, but it made me realize that technically I'm terrible and have got to do something about it. When I put the camera on automatic and concentrated on composure, cropping, etc. and quit concentrating on the techical stuff of the camera the photos were good, but when I was working on the tecnical stuff, the rest of the photo fell apart. Stinks after spending Friday night and all Sat. taking photos. So is this normal?? Are there any web classes out there that might be helpful. I saw one thread that someone talked about and then earlier ran into NY web photo school was it??? something like that anyway. Does anyone have any experiences good or bad. Or maybe some classes at a college here in Houston that they would recommend???

[Gambit]

Hmm, I'm not really answering your question here, but I do have a couple of suggestions for your experimentation. It sounds like you're not really comfortable with the capabilities of your camera, so you could try smaller steps between full auto and full manual to get used to it.

1) If you like the results on full-auto, try Program mode. With program mode, if you change the aperture, the shutter speed adjusts to compensate in order to give you the same exposure. That lets you fiddle with one setting at a time, with everything else set automatically, so you can see the result.
2) Exposure bracketing. Maybe you've got it and maybe not, but this takes a short series of pics at different exposures. Check your manual to see how to use on your 10D (I checked your profile).
3) The camera will help you, even in manual mode, by telling you whether you're exceeding or falling short of what it thinks is the correct exposure for the scene. Why and how did you choose to ignore it? There are obviously times when you SHOULD ignore it, but you need to know why you decided to if you want to improve. If you didn't notice the help (flashing aperture display, or whatever), then you can try to remember that next time.

Also, if you're have to concentrate on camera settings, it's natural to forget other things, like composition, or miss that moment and try to catch it anyway. So the technical part just needs to become habit, and the only way that happens is through practice.

Incidentally, that's partly why I didn't seriously take up photography until I could go digital. Didn't want to have to burn all that film! 8^)

[JamesB]

this is normal, photography can be hard to learn as there are many aspects to it. Im still learning, but I have figured out how to control the camera, I still need work on composition.

there are plenty of free tutorials on line and Im sure some folks will post them here.

setting your camera on a tripod and shooting something on your table with varying camera settings will help you learn what the settigs do. take a shot, change some settings, and so on.
using some posterboard in different colors will add to the photo and also a cheap clamp on lamp so you can move the light closer and futher away and at different angles can help with light technique.

James

[carrbowl]

Bingo!!! I have always enjoyed photography and learned some from my brother who is good. I got a nice film camera, but used it alot to take photos of people getting baptized at our church. Since I didn't get reimbursed it was getting expensive. So I went to a 10D and decided I could take as many as I wanted and the priced didnt' change. I think my biggest issue is with lighting and with the attached flash. I use either my 430 or 580. This weekend I used the 430 because I am more familiar with it. I am going to the lighting workshop and hope to get some knowledge then but still would like some more as far as a class is concerned.

[engstrom]

Renea, my suggestion is to pick a single technical camera aspect and work on that while also concentrating on composition, background, lighting, etc. For example, to see the varying effects of aperture just set the camera on Av and try varying the aperture. It helps if you can do this in a situation where you can look at your shots every 20 or 30 pictures. Learn from the shots and then continue on. Various things to play with are aperture, lighting size/angle/distance, shutter speed, ISO, distance to subject/focal length, and bracketing. Don't worry - it get's easier.

[carrbowl]

Well if I ever want to get a new camera, I've got to start getting better and try to make some money some day!!! Thanks for your help ( still open for more though!!!)