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08/12/2009 09:04:10 AM · #1 |
| Hello all, I have just now starting using my camera again. The last year has been full of ups and downs. I'm really hoping to finally start entering challenges and posting pictures. Honestly, I'm not the greatest with this camera and I have no idea how to even begin on here. Can I get a little help?? I know this community of photographers is so helpful, so I look forward to your feedback. I'm really anxious and excited to get involved here. Thank you so much for your help!! |
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08/12/2009 09:13:31 AM · #2 |
Hello and welcome, it's always nice to see more folks enter the fray :)
As far as helping you out, do you have any sorts of photography that you are more interested in pursuing to start out with, or do you just want some general starter info? |
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08/12/2009 09:15:26 AM · #3 |
welcome back! there's a lot of good information in the tutorials and how'd they do that sections, i know they helped me a lot when i first started. i think the best way to learn about the camera itself is to read the manual and just play with it in the advanced modes. i wish i had bookmarked some of the sites i used when i was first starting, hopefully someone will chime in with a few.
also, don't get discouraged if you get low votes (not saying you will, i mean just in case) they happen to everyone
post some pictures! |
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08/12/2009 09:40:00 AM · #4 |
| Here are some free field guides that cover a lot of essential camera skills. The Rebel XT/EOS350D is one of the models they use as an example. Good stuff. |
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08/12/2009 10:00:54 AM · #5 |
Hi, and it's good to see that you are interested in picking up the camera. I don't have much advice, except that I hope that you will be encouraged by seeing your photo skills develop, and your images get better as you practice. I will try to make helpful comments for you when you begin posting a portfolio. I hope you find photography to be a relaxing way to express your feelings after all that you have been through recently.
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08/12/2009 11:07:03 AM · #6 |
Take a lot of photos! Figure out what you like to shoot, what you like to look at, what you want to do.
Join the critique club and look at and comment on a lot of photos. What do you like about it, what do you not like about it? This will make you a better photographer! You'll get a better understanding of what you do and don't like and why. If you see something that someone did and you can't figure out how, ask them or post it here.
Learn exposure! Aperture, shutter speed, ISO. Learn what they are, what they do, and how to use them. There are a lot of good tutorials on these. Go through a few of them.
After you have a grasp of exposure, read the manual for your camera and figure out what it can do and how to do it. Anything you question or don't understand, post it here or look it up.
Then of course photoshop...
Edit to add:
AND DON"T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!
Message edited by author 2009-08-12 11:07:47. |
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08/12/2009 11:46:39 AM · #7 |
As someone has already said there are a lot of tutorials on here but also try www.lynda.com
It costs to become a member of that but they really do have some awesome teaching videos on there for a variety of things. What you might use most on that is the tutorials on photoshop and some other photo editing software.
When you enter challenges make sure to post your entry in the right size. The most common mistake I've seen (I even did it myself for my first challenge) is posting a small photo for the first challenge. There are tutorials for that as well.
In the beginning just take pictures for every challenge if time allows you to. Not saying you need to enter every challenge but taking pictures for them gives you sort of like a school assignment and you get more practice.
Learn lighting too. Recognizing good lighting is one thing but being able to see where to add lighting so that your picture is even better gives you a step up.
And as has already been said, don't get discouraged if you get a low score in a challenge. Opinions are just that..... All you can really do is keep trying to beat your own score. And even that can get frustrating so take the scores with a grain of salt and tell yourself "OK so it didn't score high but I liked it"
Anyway welcome to a great community. |
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08/12/2009 01:20:39 PM · #8 |
Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions. I will check out the free stuff and tutorials. And also take some time to look at the manual more. I love shooting nature and people photos. I love capturing things naturally.
Thanks for the warm welcome!! |
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08/12/2009 01:45:52 PM · #9 |
Hey, welcome aboard Melissa! Good to see the "tradition" continuing with you. If you ever want any specific advice or feedback or instruction on something photographic, feel free to email me (addy is in profile).
R. |
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08/12/2009 01:46:28 PM · #10 |
Of course there are tutorials right here at DPC:
//www.dpchallenge.com/tutorial.php
:) |
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08/12/2009 01:53:08 PM · #11 |
| Hello and welcome. I am happy to hear that you are continuing the tradition. |
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08/12/2009 08:21:33 PM · #12 |
You can make new friends and enjoy just posting whatever you shoot if you get in on one of the side challenges. It's also a good way to get feedback to see what people are interested in while you develop your taste for what style and subjects that you enjoy shooting. There is a "Snapshot" one going on this month. This one is more about the subject selection than the photography technique.
Here is a link to that thread;
Snapshot Side Challenge Thread
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08/12/2009 08:43:50 PM · #13 |
One of the best things to do is to jump right in. Pick a challenge and shoot something for it. Do it fast, and don't over-think it. Getting your feet wet on something that doesn't matter too much to you is the best way to start. You'll get used to the challenges and how the voting works, and if the picture bombs, it doesn't matter, because it was just a quick idea. But you get the feel of things that way.
Remember to experiment and have fun. It's easy to slip into trying to do your best and be your best, but you don't learn as much that way. Going out of your comfort zone and trying things you've never done before is the best way to learn. And don't forget to ask questions. That's the amazing thing about this place--the number of people who are willing to answer even the most basic of questions. All you have to do is ask! |
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08/12/2009 10:00:23 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
the number of people who are willing to answer even the most basic of questions. All you have to do is ask! |
Speaking of which, what is that big silver button on top of my camera for? |
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08/12/2009 10:14:28 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by vawendy:
the number of people who are willing to answer even the most basic of questions. All you have to do is ask! |
Speaking of which, what is that big silver button on top of my camera for? |
That's the mind control button. It continuously persuades you to spend more money on frivolous gear made by the camera's manufacturer. |
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08/13/2009 12:04:46 AM · #16 |
| A real fun website to learn your camera Enjoy! Digital SLR camera a Japanese Canon site (in english). Very simple and easy to understand. |
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08/13/2009 12:29:11 AM · #17 |
Oh my goodness. I didn't read your profile before. Now that I have I just need to say that I was part of Sean's team here on DPC (team 5.0) and he was such a help to me and an amazing photographer. I was shocked when I heard the news.
I'm so so glad you're here now. I've put you in my favorites.
Sheryll |
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08/17/2009 12:11:33 PM · #18 |
Thanks Sheryll..I recognized it was you, after you posted. I remember that team!! Thanks for making me a favorite!! I can't wait to get started. I'm really excited..I'm hoping I remember all that he taught me, but that was a lot...LOL..
I think I'll get a lot of help from this site though. I know Sean did. |
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08/17/2009 12:43:27 PM · #19 |
Well, you've certainly come to the right place. I know this place has so drastically affected the way I do everything related to photography, but mostly how it works from the heart.
There are a whole bunch of incredible, and remarkably humble people here that willl give willingly of their time and knowledge to help a neophyte.
My abilities when I got here......well, I sucked, and I'd like to think that today I've actually got a little skill and technique developed with the help of a whole bunch of the good people here.
Just ask, and the help will be there.
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08/17/2009 03:12:11 PM · #20 |
| Hi Melissa. great to see you on here, I just read your profile and I can't believe it was over a year ago, only seems like yesterday. Still, good to hear you are feeling like shooting a bit more - obviously everybody here will make you more than welcome - even me, which is pretty much unheard of around these here parts, but you have a hell of a legacy to pick up from, good luck! |
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08/18/2009 02:11:36 PM · #21 |
Thanks Simms...I appreciate you helping make me feel welcome....Especially since its unheard of..LOL..Your wedding photography is insanely good. I just checked it out...Amazing!
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08/18/2009 02:28:45 PM · #22 |
Don't spill stuff in your camera. :-O
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08/18/2009 03:07:48 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by luvagirl:
Thanks Simms...I appreciate you helping make me feel welcome....Especially since its unheard of..LOL..Your wedding photography is insanely good. I just checked it out...Amazing! |
The 2009 collection is even yummier! |
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