Author | Thread |
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08/08/2003 10:55:16 PM · #1 |
What are some good books for beginners on:
1. Photography in general (composing good shots, mechanics, lighting etc)
2. Using Photoshop
Also web sites, tutorials, etc.
I downloaded the 30 day trial of photoshop and of course I knew it was great by its reputation but wow! I havent done much more than use the auto balancing tools and sharpen a few shots but the algorithms are very impressive. I can't wait to dive deeper into it. I'm getting a copy next week so I don't have to worry about the trial ending and going into withdrawls.
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08/08/2003 10:58:33 PM · #2 |
Absolutely buy Photoshop 7 Artistry. I've been using Photoshop for 10 years and it's taught me tons.
rob |
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08/08/2003 10:58:46 PM · #3 |
John is readingsome nice book here,I should check Barnes and Noble tomorrow! |
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08/08/2003 11:07:51 PM · #4 |
Tom Ang's Digital Photography Handbook is great for all of the above. It's not in-depth an the how-to of photoshop, but it certainly highlights what it can do. He talks a lot about composition, lighting, theories, technique, cameras, styles, and mechanics.
It's really helped me so far.
Pedro
Message edited by author 2003-08-08 23:09:27.
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08/08/2003 11:11:15 PM · #5 |
Pitsaman,
First, let me say that I'm new to DPC so forgive my ignorance. With that said, what do you do all day? Are you always logged on to DPC? Each time I log on, you're there? This is not a put-down, mind you, just curious.
Jb
P.S. Love your work |
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08/08/2003 11:41:20 PM · #6 |
HERE is one of the best sources of free information and learning material that I have seen online for photography. It contains most of the same information that you will find in most books on the bookstore shelves.
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08/09/2003 12:07:27 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler: HERE is one of the best sources of free information and learning material that I have seen online for photography. It contains most of the same information that you will find in most books on the bookstore shelves. |
WOW!! Thanks a lot for the link. This is indeed a goldmine of information.
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08/09/2003 12:12:58 AM · #8 |
If you want to do landscape photos I would recommend any of the John Shaw books. |
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08/09/2003 12:19:03 AM · #9 |
I would also recommend using the site to its full advantage:
1. Submit photos and learn from comments given you
2. Study others' images here for more than 2 seconds a pop and Comment on others' photos! (this will probably get you the farthest). I'm always amazed at how many shots from here that I remember when I'm taking a photo, and they always help.
3. When taking a shot, find one here that has a similar subject, technique or feel to one that you want and figure out--or ask--how they did it.
4. Ask questions in the forums
5. Build a list of favorites that you look at and study often. I select a favorite when it demonstrates a subject, technique or feel that may want to duplicate some day.
6. Remember that there are many excellent photos that do not score well here, so don't let your score determine how you feel about your own photography.
Good luck!
Message edited by author 2003-08-09 00:20:31.
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08/09/2003 02:11:31 AM · #10 |
Thanks everyone for the books and that link looks great, John.
I do have a shot in the challenge (my first time) and have enjoyed the comments I have received. I find that commenting on other's photos really helps me look for both the good and bad in a shot as well as the overall impression it makes on me. I've commented on (a personal best) 60 shots in the right angles challenge and have tried to do more than just say "nice shot" in each.
It really has made me look harder at each shot. Also having a picture in the challenge makes you look at pics differently. I'm wondering "what were they thinking when they took this? What were they trying to capture? What is being communicated to me? What story is this telling?" There really is a lot in each picture if you take the time to look at it. I'm not an "artsy" person but now that I'm trying to compose pictures I find myself identifying more with the other "shooters" out there.
That said I don't think I got three things done at work all week. :)
Oh and as for score my goal was to hit the top 50% this week. I figured that was ambitious enough for a first go. I dont care about the number itself much, I mostly care about where I place relative to others. What did those above me do to get there? How can I move up a bit? I'm perfectly happy with my current score because it's actually a bit higher than I expected.
My longer term goal is to win a ribbon within a year of today. Lets see if I make it. :)
Message edited by author 2003-08-09 02:15:31. |
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08/09/2003 07:55:27 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by ttreit: My longer term goal is to win a ribbon within a year of today. Lets see if I make it. :) |
I'll give you my "secret"...
First, some background - I started here almost a year ago. One year ago today I took a picture of my son that I really really really liked and my wife suggested I enter it in a contest. I looked around and found dpchallenge. I didn't enter for the first couple weeks. Basically at that point, I was a snapshot-a-holic. I didn't think about anything, just put the camera to my eye and started snapping in program mode. I didn't know how to use the camera, or what it was even capable of doing. I was for all intensive purposes, a novice to photography.
Its been almost a year since I joined. I got my first ribbon in March (not-so-coincidentally the first week I entered any pictures with my new camera) and my first blue ribbon in June. I've also had a couple of top ten finishes, and I'm getting more consistent with my scores from week to week. I feel much more confident when I go out to shoot. I know what I want before I go, and I normally have a good idea on how to achieve that (this was a major hurdle for me).
Treitt - Keep doing the comment thing. That was a huge help for me so that I was aware of all aspects of my shot technically. The conditions may not always be perfect, and many times there's little you can do, even with PS. But even when they aren't, I try to make the most of it with what I have to work with.
Learn what your camera can do. Stay within the limits of the camera and your shots will be much better than if you try to make the camera perform in ways it was not meant to.
Try to copy shots and techniques you see here and other photo sites. They may turn out well, but not exactly the same. I advise that you don't try copying shots and then submitting them for challenges, but it is a very effective tool in learning how to do stuff. Once you have a technique mastered, it is always available for use in a different context where it can still be effective and it doesn't look like you are ripping someone off.
I'd recommend books if you are looking at going into more of a specialty, like weddings or portraits or nature. I think for general stuff you can learn more by looking at photographs and taking pictures.
Anyway, that's how I got where I am, which is by no means successful or accomplished, but definitely improved upon where I started one year ago.
Bob
Message edited by author 2003-08-09 07:58:07.
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