where can i find a website to learn photography for free?

Best one i’ve found for digital – loads of free tutorials and tips

http://digital-photography-school.com/

I want to buy a camera that captures close up pictures really well, is my assumption correct that the cameras mentioned above get better images than the panasonic small pocket size digital cameras.

I suggest Panasonic FZ28.It is high-end point and shoot camera that take great quality pictures with large zoom.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CCLBSU?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CCLBSU

What are some techniques used and what effect do they have on the mood and meaning of the photo? For example, the contra jour effect creates a "faceless" person, and you can go further to analyze why the photographer would create a faceless person in his photo.
help! i’ve asked everybody, and noone can help

it will change the colour contrast on the selected area and give you a desired look to your photo.the same thing works with photoshops as well

i am getting the dslr camera, but unfortunately, i don’t have much experience in photography, and i dont’ have time to go to a photography college either,

where can i learn photography?

congratulations on getting the dslr camera.

a camera is as good as the photographer, so just because you have a dslr, does not mean you will click great photos.

you should enrol in a online photography course, it will help you greatly in putting you from the basics to the advanced handling of camera.

plus you will have a good advantage of unbiased reviews.

My wife and I are looking for a nice digital camera. She would like it for taking routine pictures(vacation, birthdays, etc…). I love outdoor photography, I also would like it for taking family pictures. I have a Nikon N70 and have been very happy with it but would like to go digital. Any help would be appreciated.

You didn’t state a budget.
If you have some Nikon glass, take a look at the Nikon D50, D70s, or the new one, D80. Or the D200 but that is a step up in the pocketbook.
Any of these will serve you in whatever capacity you desire.
Don’t forget to budget for memory cards, maybe a flash unit, and an image working software program of some kind. (Adobe Photoshop CS , Paintshop Pro, and Photoshop Elements are some of the most popular.)
You will find your wide angle lens is not as wide on a smaller sensor dslr, so you also might want either the kit lens or an ultra wide angle of some sort.
Good luck!

I would love to take my photography to the next level and want to get some experience with professional lighting techniques. What light types, umbrellas, etc are the most basic and important?

Basic – three lights, one fill, one key, one backilght – constants are good for this. Add 2 strobes and umbrellas also. Really depends on what you are shooting. The constants dont have to be expensive cheap 500w will do, get some blue gels and some diffusing cloth.

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I want to start taking pics in some new artistic way or in a professional way
I have a digital camera I’m 14 . and I love taking pictures of objects
Thanks All!

three words. Rule Of Thirds!

I’m just a beginner…I’m interested in taking baby pictures since my baby was born. I only carry a regular simple canon digital camera, and I am thinking of getting a more professional one and learn how to use different lenses, photoshop, etc.. Is there any resources that I can learn more about photography? My budget is pretty tight…is there any affordable resources?

to teach people things like maths and english there are schools – just like photography, – funny concept schools they are popular world wide (i only say it like that for those that think running around snapping a thousand pix a day will produce great images)

my advise is do a night school course in B+W photography (if you really want to learn), otherwise any "digital" photography night course will help you produce better images of Jnr – congrats by the way

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I’ve been trying to find a great (mostly inexpensive) portrait studio in the Kansas City area. I have always loved going to JCPenny Portrait, but the past few times it has not been a very good experience when I take my infant niece (I take her once a month until she is a year).

To the point—I like the photos on Flash! Digital Photography, but does anyone know the prices to this place Is it expensive? Price ranges?

Any other portrait studios I should check out?

The problem with department store studios is that they have one setup for everyone and everything. That’s what makes them inexpensive. Normally they have someone who is not a photographer or doesn’t want to be one run the equipment…it’s setup to be pretty much idiot proof.

You could try some of these….

1) Goto a college or photogrpahy school…see if you can find a student who wants to make a little extra money on the side.

2) Work out an arrangement with a pro studio to take your series of pictures…they may cut you a deal, they may not…but it never hurt to ask.

3) Church groups…it sounds weird…but the church I go to is always looking for volunteers to do things like this for needy families and such. You might be able to find a photographer willing to donate time to help you out.

Hope this helps.

I want to take up amateur photography seriously. I live in NYC and i find inspiration around me everyday! But I have an otherwise full time job that will not allow me to take proper courses at least for the next few years…and i cant wait that long! What camera should a beginner like me invest in (the cheaper the better, nothing too fancy), and what software is a good and easy one to work with? Also are there any online tutorials on using light, photography techniques etc, that might be useful? any tips would be appreciated!! Thanks!

Inspiration is a pretty strong motivator! And you mentioned an interest in reading! Almost ALL of the amateur, semi-pro and professional photographes I know started out by reading. I’m going to give you a long list of URLs to check out, some are photography sites that you can see photo galleries but they all have tutorials and/or free lessons that you can read. Secondly, I am going to suggest that you get the most versatile camera you can, NOT the most expensive one, but the best camera for learning; it is a camera that you can grow with and enjoy for a few years, rather than outgrow it in a few months. I am referring to the Nikon N80. You can use this camera totally automatic (it sets the aperture and shutter speed for you with auto focus OR manual focus; semi-auto with EITHER aperture priority OR shutter speed priority, has 3 great metering modes, and many similar features you’ll find in more modern cameras! It is built to last, and it is ergonomically built to fit comfortably in your hands. You can get a great deal on this camera at www.keh.com and you can also look for EITHER the Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D or the older and more affordable 35-105mm f/3.5-5.6D-macro (make sure it says either micro OR macro); these are the most versatile lenses made and with great optics for great image detail; you can use these as wide angle (28-35mm), "regular" (45-55mm), portrait (85-90mm), a short telephoto (105mm) or as a macro lens for extreme close photos (of insects, flowers, etc) and the best place to find these lenses at the most affordable prices is: www.keh.com

Here’s the list of sites for you to check out; I suggest that you save "bookmark" these so you can always go back to them to read or browse through the photos:

http://www.uscoles.com/fstop.htm

http://www.photosig.com/articles/1227/article

http://www.uscoles.com/fstop.htm

http://www.paragon-press.com/lens/lenchart.htm

http://www.aesthetic-endeavors.com/photo/dof/

http://www.izzyvideo.com/2006/05/07/izzy-video-29-f-stop

http://www.photo.net

http://www.photoSIG.com

http://www.usefilm.com

http://www.flickr.com

http://www.nikon.pixelcritic.com

http://www.treklens.com

http://www.dpreview.com

http://www.popphoto.com

http://www.fotki.com

http://www.betterphoto.com

http://jzportraits.home.att.net/chapter-08.html

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/software/Adobe_digital_workflow/index.htm

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/digital-versus-film-resolution.html

http://www.lunacore.com/training/training.htm

http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp

http://library.thinkquest.org/25780/

http://www.outdooreyes.com/wildlifephotoindex.php3

http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp

IF, however, you’re interested in starting off with a digital camera, let me suggest the Nikon D70S with the kit lens, which you can find at a good and affordable price at www.keh.com for a used one at a great price or you can check with www.bhphotovideo (located in NY, Ninth Avenue, by 34th Street) and look for the used camera department.

Alternatively, you can check the Nikon D50 with the kit lens, which is a good entry level camera, at www.bhphotovideo.com (or go to their store on 9th Avenue by 34th Street). They’re open Monday thru Friday (closes at 4pm Friday and closed on Saturday) and open on Sundays. Speak with Steve at the used camera shop and ask him questions; tell him that Calico, the short guy with the leather vest and ponytail referred you to him.

Good luck and best wishes.