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.

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

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 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.

I want to learn about taking professional shots, the different angles, types of close ups and most importantly unusual angles and more… so please give me a very good site.

Take your pick.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=photography+training+websites&btnG=Search&meta=

There is no substitute for getting out there and learning on the job as it were.
You would be better of buying a book which covers the basics of exposure, colour and composition.

Classes? Buying books? Trial and error? The web? What did you do to learn? What sort of resources did you use to learn?

I learned photography with all techniques combined. Its really the best way. First came the course which taught me the basics. I was interested in learning how to process and print films myself, and the course gave the me the start and confidence to try on my own…

But at that point, I became an information pig, reading up everywhere I could…books, websites, and trying to apply what I learned immediately in the field with my camera.

I also learned alot by joining a local camera club, which caused me to see a lot of people’s work, by people who do photography for a living, and participate in field trips where I get to do photography side by side with people eager to teach.

Photography forums, like the one on www.dpchallenge.com, also gave further information.

The more you want to learn, the more you’ll suck up all this knowledge and the more you’ll retain it.

Mind you, my goals may be different from yours. I in no way set out to make this a career choice – this was develop an interest of mine, I felt I had a knack for it, I enjoyed it and wanted to grow.

If you want to develop a career, it is probably better to take an actual program so that you can have a degree, rather than just the introductory courses I just took.

But there’s a plethora of information, in books and on the web to get you going before you have your courses.