looking to better my abilities! - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

09/22/2008 08:26:45 PM · #1

I am looking for the best way to further my abilities from the simple presets on my camera, my question is would it be better to job shadow/follow someone around for awhile or take some college classes? What has everyone else done?

JamesA

Nikon D800

09/22/2008 08:32:22 PM · #2

Learn the basics and then try to emulate a style you like, then just take a lot of pictures:)

jettyimages

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

09/22/2008 08:38:08 PM · #3

I would contact a local photographer and see if they will teach you the basics of shooting in manual. You can read countless books, but there's nothing quite like being set free on the camera with a real human being to help you. I was lucky enough to be able to attend a few classes run by an excellent photographer - it was just a beginners class, and I thought I didn't really need to start at the beginning, but there was so much she taught me that after a few sessions I was confident to then go out and do my own thing. Trial and error, and the magic of not wasting precious film, is the beauty of digital photography, but its definitely a good thing to get someone to show you whats really in those menus. You'll realise how limiting the presets are, and how easy it is to go fully manual, and much more creative.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/22/2008 08:44:09 PM · #4

i have played around alittle with manual modes. but haven't really gotten any good images! that and i am not really sure what really makes a good photo!

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/22/2008 08:50:14 PM · #5

Originally posted by pbd20032003:

i have played around alittle with manual modes. but haven't really gotten any good images! that and i am not really sure what really makes a good photo!

One thing to remember is that dpc is not the be all and end all of photography. That said just by trawling the challenge archives and threads you will learn enough to be able to take great images. I've found that a shot that might be in the middle of the pack in a challenge will be well accepted by most people as an excellent image.

I found one of the best ways to learn here was to comment on images, it makes you think ;)

Maggye

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/22/2008 08:53:54 PM · #6

Originally posted by Ecce Signum:

Originally posted by pbd20032003:
i have played around alittle with manual modes. but haven't really gotten any good images! that and i am not really sure what really makes a good photo!

One thing to remember is that dpc is not the be all and end all of photography. That said just by trawling the challenge archives and threads you will learn enough to be able to take great images. I've found that a shot that might be in the middle of the pack in a challenge will be well accepted by most people as an excellent image.

I found one of the best ways to learn here was to comment on images, it makes you think ;)

yeap! that's true commeting helps you a lot, so you can identify what you like or don't like in a picture. Also a mentor, is an excellent idea, I wish I had one =(, but then again, there are so many wonderful people, here at dpc that are always willing to help you and share tips with you.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

09/22/2008 09:08:04 PM · #7

If you learn the basic operation of your camera, the mechanics so to speak, then you can apply that knowledge every time you go out to shoot. I mean that seriously. Take the time to read the manual for your camera with camera in hand (lap as the case may be - even on the table next to you - in your hands is preferable!) Don't worry about what the camera can do, but what you can do with it. The camera is only a tool. The better you learn how to manipulate that tool the better the results will be. But it will be you - your minds eye, your compositional eye, your imaginative eye that creates the picture.

Do NOT be afraid to shoot RAW and in full manual mode - it gives you the license to experiment and see the results first hand. Set up a shot. Set the lighting you want. Put the camera in manual mode, set the aperture at the largest setting possible (4.5/5.6?) then shoot a shot and move the aperture setting down one and so on. Then try changing the shutter speeds (under and over expose on purpose) to see the range there. Then combine the two adjustments. Get to know your camera and how it reacts to the different lenses you may have (have not looked at profile so do not know what you own but it matters not.)

Set the camera on a tripod, create a setting including lighting conditions, that look good to your eye, then photograph using all available combination of settings - f/stop (aperture), shutter speed, ISO. You will fast learn what not only your camera is capable of, but also what you can create with that knowledge. But more importantly, you will see the difference between what you 'SEE' and what the camera 'SEES.' Then you can really take control.

Edit to add: Sure wish I could take control sometime. I have had a learner's permit for quite a few years now. When can I get my license?

Hope this helps.

Message edited by author 2008-09-22 21:13:16.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

09/22/2008 11:16:33 PM · #8

thanks to all that posted it really helps! it looks like i have alot to figure out between reading and taking pictures of the same thing in manual and finding out and knowing what is best for each shot i take with different lenses.

Yo_Spiff

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

09/22/2008 11:26:14 PM · #9

I'm a self study type. I pay attention to what others do and try to gain some tips when they tell how they did things. I read a lot of articles on composition, camera technique and post processing skills. I then experiment with various shots and treatments to see what flies.(That experimentation causes my scores here to swing wildly.) I'm learning one small trick at a time.

09/22/2008 11:30:50 PM · #10

i just actually got a book that is directly for my camera for my birthday, i need to start studying it.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

09/23/2008 12:03:03 AM · #11

If your camera has an aperture preview button, it's one of the best things for learning how the camera "sees" a scene. Hold the preview button, and adjust the aperture while looking at a subject through the viewfinder.
Change lens focal lengths, and do the same again to see how perspective works.
Shoot a shot with program, then go manual, and tinker with the aperture, iso, shutter speed, in steps from the settings that the program chose for you and shoot it again in manual to see how it changes the image.
Look at the settings used by different photographers here at DPC where they are posted with the images, and it will also help you to learn how different settings can "make" a shot happen.
Most of all, read the manual, and experiment. Sitting somewhere outside in daylight is a good place to read the manual because you can try shooting
different things from your shirt buttons to infinity as you try out things found in the manual.
Another fun exercise is to take a tripod, and shoot for a while using aperture priority, and one aperture choice, a wide one. Then shoot the same scenes for a while using f11 or 22 and the tripod. Look at the images on the monitor, and see how aperture setting affects the image.
last but not least, don't forget to take the lens cap off. : )