Recently, i found myself inclined towards learning photography. I have no background knowledge as to where to start from. Is there any professional or a student of photography who can guide me?

Post Graduate Program in Photography Design (2 years) at The National Institute of Design (NID), Paldi, Ahmedabad. Its one of the premier course in Photography in India.

# Navgujarat Multicourse Training Institute delivers short term courses in BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY and DIGITAL IMAGING. Course Duration is One Month.
You may contact Mr. Ketan Modi on 98253 47813 for further details.

# Photography course delivered by Mr. P. Dalwadi at Shantibhai Shah Dnstiture of Photography, Ashram Road. Duration: 2 months Seats: 20. You may contact Mr. Parmanand Dalwadi on 9825031630 for further details.

# Basics of Photography, Foundation course conducted at Creative Hut, Gurukul Road. For More details mail : info@creativehut.org

# Photography Training Course at Varia Designs, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad. For details call: 079 27541772

I cant decide between the two, but if you learn about some photography in a journalism that would be the best of both worlds right? Thanks!

Some Colleges let you take a Emphasis in photography. Maybe you should research that.

So, I want to learn photography.
But I dont know where to start.
Like, cameras.
Tools.
Tricks.
And stuff.
What photography exactly is.
I just know I want to take pictures to express how I feel.
Nature/objects/people.
And stuff.
So.
Whats a good camera? Not too expensive, good brands.
Where do i start?

First of all, you want to start out with an SLR (Single Lens Rflex [film]) or DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera, something for starters. I highly recomend you use an SLR camera because you will be forced (due to the expenses of buying the lens and the development, and the fact that you can’t look at the photo right after you take it) to evaluate your scene and your subject, which is a key importance in photography.

Anyway, after you get your camera of choice you should start researching the compositions of photography (like: lighting, angel, rule of thirds or golden rule, depth of field, leading lines, and so on). Once you get an understanding of these composition (you can research composition on google.com, there are many good sights), then you should go out and practice to further your development and understanding of these compositions (using an SLR will help jumpstart your development and understanding).

Once you get the basics down then you can move on to the more fun stuff. You can then start working on developing your creativity (though it helps to start at the beginning only staying with in the confinds of the composition rules; once you get into the more advance stage you can start breaking the rules and coming up with very creative photos) and your style (a style that is unique to you, something like when someone sees your photos they know you took them because of your style).

If you want to be great photographer you need to persevere and work hard to gain success, once, if, you become a professional your research doesn’t stop there. You will always be researching to further your development your photographic skills. I’ve been doing photography for 4 year now and I still find myself researching different techniques, styles and different ways to shoot a photo, I spend sometimes an hour, 2 hours or even 12 hours on a daily basis trying to search an answer to my question (the same will happen to you if you really want to be great).

Photography is a gift and also a talent that one has, the greatest photographers are very passionate about their style like landscape/nature, portraits, and so on. That is what helps us to strive hard to get to where we want. I hope the same happens to you because it is a very rewarding process to see your hardwork in galleries, newspapers, magazines, or even in museums.

But first, you need to learn the basics and work your way from there. Good luck, I hope you do well.

Here is a link to my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26285083@N03/

i am a beginner and now i am passionate in this photography thing. It just a hobby but i really want to take good pictures and wanted to be pro. i am thinking of going to photography classes but before i go to class, i need to know the basics and a little advance will be fine. Help.

Books are all very good but there’s nothing like knowing your gear and practice, practice, practice.
Watch what others are doing, seek out Flickr pages here on Yahoo and see if there’s anything you like.

If you like what they’re doing learn from them then shoot, shoot and shoot some more. There’s no such thing as too much practice.

Then, after every shoot upload and look. Critique your own stuff for focus, framing, lighting, etc., and be critical with your self. Then, go practice some more.

I’ve been at this business, in one way or another, for 30-years and I’ll bet Nick P, another friend here on Yahoo Cameras would agree, I learn something every time I pick up the camera.

I like this example. If you go to a concert watch the piano player. You can bet he / she didn’t start playing last night. It’s exactly the same with photography – no such thing as too much practice.

1. i wanna learn how to do the photo effects.
2. can you send me a link that can guide me in making photo effects?

Which photo effects are you talking about?

Perhaps you should concentrate on the basics first, then build up from there:

Learn about your camera !!!!

Read your manual !!!! Read it several times, and practice in between.

Attend a class, read some books, read/watch online tutorials.

The major camera manufacturers (like Canon, Nikon, Olympus etc) all have very useful sections on their website for learning about photography.

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

http://www1.nikonusa.com/slrlearningcenter/index.php

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_learn_center.asp

Understanding at least the basic principles of photography (as well as being familiar with your camera) will enable you to make the most of your gear, and will make a HUGE difference to your images.

I have got a new digital SLR. I’m looking for something like "digital photography for dummy" but not too dummy (I’ve taken lots of pictures with consumer digital camera for a few years). I’m especially interested in learning taking better pictures with kids and babies.

Assuming that you got a good digital SLR that, like regular film SLRs, provide you with the same functionality that other serious hobbyists have, e.g. aperture/shutter speed settings, replaceable lenses etc. I would recommend that you consider a blend of books and materials that focus on both generic photography techniques as well as the "digital-ness" of your camera.

First of all, as the owner of a digital SLR, you need to be totally familiar with your camera’s operating manual. Search on Amazon.com on the exact model of your camera to locate the "advanced" guide for your camera. For example, I’ve attached the advanced guides for the Nikon D70 digital SLR. (If you have a different digital SLR, just search for that one.)

That is important because digital cameras all have as part of their complexity the computer programs that run it. Compared to traditional film SLRs, these cameras have more "manufacturer/camera-specific" details that are essential to know.

Beyond that book, I’ve also attached two digital photography guides. They won’t be able to tell you too much more than what the "advanced guides" tell you plus what you can learn from other generic photography books, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Finally, I’ve attached a few photography books that focus on composition and basic technique. No matter what your equipment is, photography is an art. It’s not the brush that makes a painting masterpiece, it’s the creative genuis of the artist. Learning the nuts and bolts of your camera is only learning the absolute basics of the skill. You’re not going to have fun and enjoy photography until you focus on something other than the camera itself. Hence, don’t just get books on how to use your camera. Get books on how to create great photographs. I’ve attached a few books on that too.

Have fun!

I just got a new nikon digital camera the nikon d-3000, and I have gotten very interested in photography now. This camera seems to have a lot of bells and whistles, but i don’t know what most of the features are. It looks very complicated. I am employed full-time and I don’t really have time go back to school. If I must return to school, how long will it take for me to get a certificate in photography?

You can learn photography without going to school for a certificate although there are many who believe it is the best way to learn. I personally am completely self taught in all facets of photography. Still have a long way to go but I’ve done fairly well in the past year I’ve been at it.

To start with your learning take some to read the manual first. Play around with settings, see what each thing does. Experiment and don’t be afraid of crappy pics at first. It’s expected. Consider visiting sites like Digital Photography School to study up on composition, exposure, lighting, etc. You won’t become an instant expert or overnight professional but with some time spent studying and learning you can eventually come out with good shots.

I wish you luck. Photography is a wonderful hobby.

hi i m new in the world of photography and soon will learn the A B C D of photography so just give me an idea what camera should i buy as a beginner and how much will it cost, now i cant afford an expensive camera so help me out

All you will get on here is people telling you to buy the camera that they have got.
Do you want a compact/p&s or DSLR.

By reading what you have stated, a compact/p&s will be in your budget.
There are many on sale from the main manufacturers, all giving similar results and offering different ‘gimmicks’ to try and get you to buy theirs.

If going for a DSLR, think about how much you want to spend, then you will have to budget for memory cards, filters, spare batteries, extra lenses, tripod, accessories, and gadget bag.
Just take you time and go to different camera stores and hold the cameras to feel which camera feels most comfortable in YOUR hands.
After all, what may suit one person, may not suit another.

Reputable makes of camera, apart from CanNik, (yes, there are some) are Pentax, Sony and Olympus, all giving excellent results.

Hope this helps.

I’d like to learn more about photography, but can’t pay for it. Is there a website or something that will give me information about things a camera will do (with photo examples), flash and how to use it, diffusers and how to use them, etc.? Most of what I’m finding online revolves around "outdoor" photography. I need something that teaches more on wedding-type photography. Thanks for any help!

There are literally hundreds of websites and pages on the internet with this kind of information. A quick search on Google will throw up plenty of options for whichever subject you wish to learn, I advise you to just look a little harder.

Here are some of my favourite sites for beginners to learn from…

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/

http://www.all-things-photography.com/

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.thedigitalphotographyconnection.com/index.php

http://freephotographytutorials.blogspot.com/

http://www.tabletopstudio.com/

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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.