Basic photography tips to know. - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/24/2008 11:20:20 PM · #1

I'm fairly new to photography, I was wanting to find a site that would explain some of the really basic tips and camera "lingo" that I need to know, (How to manually set up shots and whatnot). I'm sure this has been asked before, so excuse me for the repetitiveness (Did I just make up that word?). Any suggestions would be great =)

totaldis

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/24/2008 11:25:46 PM · #2

congratulations... you found it!

chris48083

Pentax K10D

06/24/2008 11:27:30 PM · #3

1.) welcome to the site.
2.) see that learn button up there? click it.
3.) have itunes? theres some lovely podcasts on photography and photoshop.

-cw

Legal Rights PDF, really a good thing to know.

06/24/2008 11:27:46 PM · #4

Ha, thanks!
Any threads that could give me a shove in the right direction?

And I did already check out the learn section, alot of that stuff is either photoshop tips (whom I already get along with somewhat well) or complicated shoots, where they assume you already know the basics =)

Message edited by author 2008-06-24 23:30:57.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/24/2008 11:34:03 PM · #5

This thread is a good place to start.

Sunny 16 info

Guide Numbers also good to know

Some local schools

Post production value on pimping the eyes

Portrait Lighting tips

Some tips on how to shoot sports

A way to help your imagination process

Tips on Night Photography

Tips on using your flash

I know it's summer, but tips on shooting in the snow

Black and White conversion tips

Tips on photojournalism

Tips on how to win a ribbon

Asking "WHY?" should never be a task, it should be enlightening.

DON'T EVER PUT YOUR ART ON THE INTERNET, IT WILL GET STOLEN. Upload only the images you don't care about, or you can prove is yours, I.E. family members, meta-data

Don't expect me to upload my best art. I fear thieves. zombieenfeu5ib.gif

The "rules" of photography are just guidelines. Art is too fluid to have rules.

Before you score an image, take a second look, you probably missed something. shocked.gif

Not all images have to be pretty. Some actually tell a story.

Anyone can make a pretty picture, giving it a story takes it to the next
level

A comment is not a critique. A critique should be focused on the details of the image, not the challenge. deadhorse.gif

Know your subject, show your subject, look at your surroundings for distractions.

Pushing the button on your camera is easy, knowing why your doing so is the challenge.

Take pictures for yourself, and never worry about a virtual ribbon.

It's not the equipment that counts, it's the forethought, detail, and the eye.

Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source, period.

There are NO correct ways to light your subject, but, there are plenty of wrong ways.

A good black and white picture has all the mid tones, and the pure blacks and pure whites have texture.

Don't listen to people that don't know you. If you are happy, don't let them harsh your mellow.

If your not happy then put that camera down, and find what makes you happy.

If you are ribboning on this site, and strangers tell you how they like your work. Why in the hell are you wasting your time here! Move on, it's time to make money.

Having fun is the bottom line to anything in life. If it is not fun, then it's time to quit.

That's all.

Good luck.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/24/2008 11:40:15 PM · #6

totaldis

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/24/2008 11:44:53 PM · #7

This isn't a bad overview of basic words.
//www.photonhead.com/beginners/shutterandaperture.php

I'd suggest taking each one of the words found here and reading up on them. It may seem daunting at first but you'll start seeing the difference in your photos once you learn how to utilized your camera's controls.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/24/2008 11:47:00 PM · #8

Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:

Legal Rights PDF, really a good thing to know.

I actually just got done reading this in the other post you just put it in =)
Very good to know.

Man_Called_Horse

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/25/2008 07:19:29 AM · #9

Your welcome.

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/25/2008 10:54:00 AM · #10

Nice list Horse.

I was looking through my bookmarks and can only add The Zeltsman Approach to Traditional Classic Portraiture.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/25/2008 11:47:40 AM · #11

Good article on the rule of thirds (Which is really more like a suggestion, but a very good way to start learning how to compose a shot)