Matt Torrance
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Post by Matt Torrance on Dec 14, 2011 15:49:05 GMT -5
Ok so I'd like to get started in photography as a hobby. Where should I start? I know its a broad question and I'll probably get answers pertaining to "Get a camera and take pictures!" but I'd like your input.
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Post by optronix on Dec 14, 2011 17:05:40 GMT -5
You should start by talking to our resident photographer Laton.
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latonthesnake
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Post by latonthesnake on Dec 15, 2011 1:38:47 GMT -5
First off, make an investment and commit to a camera brand... Whether that is Sony Olympus Nikon Canon really comes down to what is a good fit and feel for you personally, you're going to be investing a lot of money in lenses and extras which are brand specific. I have a lot to say on what's good for the money, so if you're interested feel free to ask. Second is get yourself a copy of Photoshop and/or light room, then familiarize yourself with digital editing (for me personally one of the most satisfying parts of the photography process). The digital workflow handbook is one of the best and most comprehensive resources on the subject www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Workflow-Handbook/dp/1933952717SHOOT RAW!!! I also highly suggest you watch Jared Polen's fro knows photo YouTube channel, he's extremely good at relating complex theory into layman's terms... And is an incredibly helpful resource for new photographers. jaredpolin.com/Then start shooting, challenge yourself, use the manual settings. If you don't allow yourself to fall on the "automatic-settings" crutch you will learn the how and the why much quicker (you will of course make a lot of mistakes at first, but that's par for the course). Set yourself a lot of low light slow exposure projects, learn the effects of high ISO versus wide open aperture, these terms will become more second nature as you push the boundaries of what you're capable of. Don't move into lighting until you're completely 100% comfortable with your camera! you don't need to do everything all at once, start slow and build your confidence in your gear. Look through as many other photographers work as you possibly can, and then ask yourself how you personally can reverse engineer the techniques you find most fascinating (smug mug Flickr photo magazines coffee-table books and so on). And feel free to ask anything you want, I'll answer as best I can
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Post by optronix on Dec 15, 2011 1:44:45 GMT -5
Also, to add to the genius above, get a tripod, you can get something relatively cheap and good. I have shakey hands so it fucks with my pictures a lot. I got one a Target the other day for 20 bucks, it's up to 4 feet, but I won't extend all the way as I don't like the last legs, too wobbly. It's great for being just near my eyes and I can use it on a table top too (fully compacted so I can do top down shots).
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latonthesnake
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Post by latonthesnake on Dec 15, 2011 2:00:59 GMT -5
^
Yes, this too. Good catch Optronix, I have five of them and they are extremely valuable when you are starting out (all the time really) especially when you're shooting landscapes with available light. Don't buy a cheap plastic one, but rather grab a older used aluminum model on craigslist. Just make sure it's sturdy and your good to go, not a whole hell of a lot of fancy technology needed there.
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Matt Torrance
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Post by Matt Torrance on Dec 17, 2011 16:57:36 GMT -5
I appreciate the information you guys!
I'd like to start photographing live subjects, ladies in particular.
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Post by humananomaly on Dec 23, 2011 1:52:09 GMT -5
why get a tripod when you can get a MONOPOD
Pretty useful too
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latonthesnake
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Post by latonthesnake on Dec 28, 2011 1:00:54 GMT -5
Because a tripod allows you to stand back from the subject slap up the mirror and run the shutter with zero camera-shake. It also allows you to frame and compose your image more easily. Monopod's are okay for on-the-fly nature photography, but not that great when it comes to landscape or studio work... as matter-of-fact tripods are really good for bodyscaping photography, largely because they allow for you to get your framing and then readjust the lights and model until you got that perfect cascading effect.
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Post by Oce on Jan 3, 2012 18:01:22 GMT -5
Take a community college film class. It will teach the science behind photography and teach out how to pick your shots since you are limited to film. It will also help you to be more technical about your processing of prints/images.
IMO it also makes you a better overall shooter when you learn in a classic way. My high school film classes were paramount in honing my ability to know a proper exposure without needing a light meter.
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