Where do I begin photography?
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.
Posted in photography lighting techniques
November 27th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I recommend (if you have the money for it) the Canon Rebel digital. Also, if you’re going to be printing these pictures out, get a Canon photo quality printer. They’re VERY affordable and print amazing pictures right from your PC.
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 10:06 am
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photo-courses.asp?catsearch=BGN
start here
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 10:14 am
If you’re going to be serious about Photography, I would buy an old Canon or Nikon 35 mm. Learn your F-stops and apperature openings by getting a good book at Barnes & Noble which you can look at on your own time. You should experiment with lighting (natural & flash); shadows; openings; "bracketing" – which is trying the same photo at different F-stops. Digital is great but so much room to "alter" a photo. Try starting with Black & White – it is very very intense.
References :
35 years of photography & Photojournalism major
November 27th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Before you invest in an inexpensive DSLR (Canon or Nikon) do some research at the city library. Look at books of images and the books that advertising agencies use to find new talent like Black Book (there are others as well). Also look at some of the photo magazine annual publications of the best photos for that year.
You will be able to determine which lenses you will eventually want. Wide angle for architectural and landscapes, normal macro for close ups and general photography and telephoto for shooting at long distances for wildlife and unusual perspectives on common subjects. For instance my lens kit extends from 12mm to 500mm, in both prime and zoom lenses.
Next I would suggest that you purchase a Canon or Nikon film camera (under $200) and the first lens of your choice. Start shooting in black and white and critique yourself based upon the published images you like. Once you feel like you are in control of getting what you see on film, go ahead and spend $1000 to $1500 on a DSLR that matches the still camera you bought. All your lenses will be compatible.
References :
http://www.blackbook.com/
Editorial, sports and glamour photog
November 27th, 2009 at 11:08 am
If you find inspiration around you wherever you go, then it really doesn’t matter how good your camera is. Sometimes the worst camera can make the best picture!
Go to http://www.joeylawrence.com! Some of his pictures were taken with a 1megapixel camera, of course, now he has upgraded, but some of his stuff is amazing.
I love photography! I have a Holga Lomography 120CFN, a Kodak EasyShare Z710, a really old 35mm Nikon, and a Nikon N70. These are all good cameras and they are not too expensive!
You really don’t have to take any classes to begin the steps of being a photgrapher. Some of the best never took classes. Although, it is always good to know what you are doing!
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 11:27 am
there are lots of cameras out there , I recommend nikon , cause that is what i shoot with. The nikon d40 is a new camera released , so is the d80 , the d50 is being seriously reduced in price right now, i use to own one , nice camera
lots of ways to learn via the interent
Here is a few things you can search out via the interent , I wont sit here and put all the www’s and all that in you can serach them out yourself :
dpreview
kenrockwell
luminous landscape
thom hogan
stobist , this one is a eblog
nikonians
There are many , many more in my favorites list but this is a good start for you
You can also go to pbase.com and look at others pictures and what camera they used and lens and such
Good luck with it
Tom
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 11:32 am
GO to THE library. GO to the magazine section. Look up and see if they have a mag on photography. WRITE the EDITOR and look 4 info in side the magazine.
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Don’t buy a camera yet, you need to know a lot more about how your career will develop before you can make intelligent decision on that. Surely someone [relative or coworker] is willing to give you a camera to use for free. Many have gone to digital and so they should have at least one very nice film camera gathering dust. And if they have a good camera, they might be a great choice for mentoring your efforts now before you can get enrolled in classes. You should be able to get a decent book on technique at the camera store, look for about 200 pages.
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
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 http://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: http://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 http://www.keh.com for a used one at a great price or you can check with http://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 http://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.
References :