but i’m not rich and i’m not majoring in photography…….is it necessary to have a dslr if your taking photography in college?
what’s the difference between dslr, digital, and slr?

You probably want to give a call to the photography department and check. In the local community college by me, the introductory course does not require a DSLR. The second course in the sequence uses Photoshop, so you need a camera capable of creating a RAW file. The third course is a film course – a traditional SLR is used there.

Any courses above use a DSLR (with the exception of the advanced film classes – they still use some 4×5 film)

But – like I said, best thing is to check with the department.

Im a senior in high school and im looking to buy my first digital SLR this summer. I have been looking at the Nikon D series and the Canon Rebel Xt and XTi……Im aminly interested in portrait photography/studio photography….I also wanted to know if the main differences between the prices of these cameras $600-$800 is because of the megapixels 6,8,10…? Also what is the best type of lense for portrait photography?
Looking to spend under $1,000

If you start off and have no equipment, I’d suggest the Canon brand. Both Canon and Nikon are fine cameras (I own a Nikon d70 myself). Nikon is more for sports/journalism and Canon for portrait. That is a wide generalization and both can do very well in either department. The price difference may be because of the megapixel count, the frames per second (3fps, 5fps etc.) and the overall quality and durability. The standard lens for portrait would be a 70-200. I like variable lenses because when I’m taking portraits, I don’t have to back up/get closer to frame the subject. You want to avoid wide angles (unless you want do to something fancy) and you don’t want to go too big a lens because you’ll be too far from your subject. Nice portrait shots have the background a little blurry, and longer lenses help that, and thats why 70-200 would be a good lens. Hope that helps.

I am really interested in photography and just got my first good camera.
So my question is (as said) what’s just some basic stuff I should know about photography? effects? techniques? sets? getting my stuff out there? focusing? photography "slang"? exposure? lighting? etc… thank you so much and I will always pick a best answer ^_^

It seems like your know very little about photography. you might just want to take a class.

hi i have just bought a CANON EOS 5000 35mm AUTO FOCUS SLR CAMERA and i was wondering if it is a good camera or not,
i would like to learn photography as a hobby,

also where can i buy Accessories for it?

Perfect

Any EOS compatible accessories and lenses will work with your camera EXCEPT EF-S lenses

I am just beginning to look into the art of photography – it has always interested me, but there is obviously a lot of skill behind the work – To those of you who have specific ideas and techniques on how to enhance the quality of your photos (when taking the picture, not like photo shop or Gimp) please, enlighten me! What kind of things make a good photo, what angles, flash or no flash? (etc.)

Thanks for anything you are willing to contribute!
Ps. I can’t travel much, nor can I afford an amazing camera, necessarily. I’m only fourteen.

Look at other people’s photography. Not just browse and say, "oh that’s nice" and move on. I mean really look at photos that are successful. See why they are. What draws you to them, or what part of them draws you to them. Its a great learning tool, maybe one of the best.

This gallery is full of amazing images and variety.

http://www.pbase.com/falcn/exhibition_acceptances

First, master the camera. Know what it can do well and can’t do well and work within those boundaries. When you have it pretty well figured out, you can step out of those sometimes and assess how its performing.

Don’t use the flash until you have a good handle on what you’re doing. If you’re taking family pics indoors, go ahead and use it. Family pics are great, don’t get me wrong, but its not exactly photography in the sense of the art.

Angles. Rule number one, don’t tilt the camera. This is not a camera angle, its called being misguided that its some kind of unique thing that EVERYONE who is not a photographer in the real world is doing. Camera angles are dependent on the perspective you’re trying to portray. Portraits have kind of their own rules apart from the other stuff.

Your pics need to be on point with each of these 3 things to be good. Composition, exposure and focus. Try not to post anything that’s not perfectly sharp or as close as you can get it. Focus is not all about holding the camera steady. Good Luck!

My husband is a chef and he makes the most gorgeous dishes. I would like to be able to photograph them like a professional. Where can I learn to do this in and around London?

The London Universities that offer commerical photography as a course is what you are looking for. There are a number of them. Have a look at these links.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&cr=countryUK%7CcountryGB&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=photography+courses+london+universities&spell=1

I would love to start my own business doing wedding photography and offering portrait photography as well. I would love to hear how you started out if you have your own business, i really dont know where to start. I am at the stage where i am looking to buy a professional digital slr camera after coming to the end of my course using a 35mm film camera and i dont have a portfolio at the moment, any advice would be appreciated.

Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s before your business launch.

Steps to Starting a Business -

http://www.developer-resource.com/starting-a-business.htm

Other sites you might find helpful are:
SBA – http://www.sba.gov/
SCORE – http://www.score.org
Small Business Resource – http://www.small-business-software.net
Business Link – http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home

Goodluck!

I would like to learn to become a professional photographer. I have to start from scratch. Thanks in advance.

The first thing to do would be to take a few photography classes. This will get you up and going. Next you will need to decide whether you want to go to a photography school. This is probably the best option. Especially if you are young. You will learn far more in a couple of years than you would praciticing on your own for 5 or 10 years.

Next and you can do this while in school would be to find a local photographer that will bring you on as an assistant. Working with a seasoned pro you will learn how to do the particular kind of photography they do.

Next will be learning the business side of photography. Many talented photographers don’t make it because of poor business skills.

Hi, myself have a new canon rebel xti and this guy is selling 3 continous light kit with softboxes. I was wondering what else do i need to start doing portrait photography? Is that enough?

Here is the complete description:
This is a continuous 3000WATT variable adjustment quartz halogen lighting kit for studio use. With a 1000Watt bulb, this light has a large range of adjustment. A built in fan cools the bulb for efficient, safe operation, lengthening the life of the bulb. The overheat protection will work immediately if the temperature inside reaches temperatures greater than 200° F, protecting the fuse, the bulb and the rest of the light’s internal systems.

This series of lights is specially designed for digital cameras and digital video production. Perfect for lighting your green or blue screen for digital special effects. The softboxes diffuse the light, eliminating hot spots, creating a flattering soft light. This type of lighting works great for general portraitphoto

There’s a reason most photographers use strobes….
These lights will heat up your studio so fast that it will quickly become uncomfortable. Invest in three small Alienbee lights for your portrait work.

Try this site:
Photography Articles: Beginning Photography

http://www.betterphoto.com/photography-articles/Beginning-Photography/