 Nicole Kessel |
How to Learn more on my own... For over five years now I have been teaching myself photography. I absolutely love it but, I'm finding my learning curve slowing down a bit due to lack of resources. I have read numerous books, took a local night class a few years ago, and am constantly on the web seeking information. I shoot for fun almost everyday and I even worked as a school portrait photographer for almost a year and part-time in a camera store now. I feel I have a pretty good understanding of things like DOF, shutter speeds, exposures, composition techniques, and natural lighting. It seems every book or resource I try just repeats the same things over and over. I would love to take an online class here at betterphoto but it is just too expensive for me at this time. (We will be having a baby probably sometime in the next four weeks!) The areas I know I am lacking an understanding in are flash photography, and studio lighting. But, my passion is nature and animals. Can anyone suggest another resource? I really want my pictures to stand out. I can see the image in my head I just can't get it into the camera!
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Laljit S. Sidhu |
have you considered new york institute of photography. its an online school for photography and one big advantage is that payments can be spread out monthly to make the bite a bit easier on the checkbook. www.nyip.com I haven't taken the course so am not familiar with the details but others may be able to provide you that information.
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Debby A. Tabb |
NICOLE, NOW , I DO STUDIO WORK AND I WRITE BOOKS ON POSING -SO THIS IS A LITTLE OUT OF MY FIELD. BUT, I DID WANT TO PARTISAPATE IN A NATURE TREK I SAW WHEN IN MONTANA. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONES(I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED BUT I'M SURE YOU CAN GO FROM HERE)LIKE IN YELLOW STONE, WHERE YOU GO ON A PHOTO SAFARI FOR DAYS OR A WEEK AT A TIME AND AND ON THE CA-NV LINE THERE IS A WILD HORSE TREK- WHERE YOU GO IN TRUCKS AND ON HORSEBACK TO FALLOW THE HERDS AND SHOOT. AND OF COUSE THE DREAM DEAL IN AFRICA. JUST A THOUGHT, DEBBY
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Brendan Knell |
Nicole, Maybe you could join a photography club in your area. I'm going to probably join one also. Clubs can be very helpful, because other photographers can give you tips, and what are some good books and magazines. Some magazines that I like, are "Photo Technique" and "Shutterbug". Congrats on the baby. Brendan
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Nobu Nagase |
How about photo friends? I, too, love to take courses from Betterphoto... there are excellent courses that I think I would greatly benefit from them... but for economic and time reasons, I have not taken one so far... Next to the books and Internet sources, and other than photo classes would be your photo friends. Photo club would be the one I would also like to try but unfortunately there is not one where I am… I have photo friends whom I’ve gotten to know on the net during the last few years. None of them are professional photographers, who most likely have all the equipment you can think of, i.e. high-end cameras, lens, lighting and other accessories, and studio. Although I expect the professional photographer’s photos to be better and many are perhaps winning photos on this site, what they produce and what I can produce would be in different class. It’s like apples and oranges. While, photo friends have basically same type of equipment as I (…I do realize theirs are definitely better than mine) and goals in our creation. And I can relate to what and how they create. And certainly we all want to be able to produce quality photos and what we produce may be marketable now and in the future. You said you want your images to stand out. IMO, it’s the "Wow!!!" factor that I too want in my images. By nature, I like geometry and nature colors. And that translates into line definition, color definition or both in my images. When I see an image that I wish I could create, I try to figure out why they draws my attention and how they are created. Some photos are right out of the camera and some are post processed in the photo editing software. Then I go out and try to produce one in a similar manner. I will not and will not be able to create same images as theirs because images I create have my own style and personality and they have theirs. I have learned great deal from many of my friends this way. Last year, I had a friend I considered my mentor in photography. We talked a lot about photographs, photography, and photo editing. We supported each other and encouraged each other in our creation and ventures. As a result, we both have grown tremendously in photography.
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Nicole Kessel |
The nature treks sound like paradise to me but, unfortunately I live in Ohio and most I have heard about seem to be out west. Which would also cost me quite a bit. (An african safari has been a dream of mine as long as I can remember!) I have considered NYIP and I have heard there is a really great photography club around here too. I definitely plan on checking both of those out after the baby is born. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! If you think or hear of anything else please let me know. I'm definitely thirsty for the knowledge!
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Nicole Kessel |
Hi Nobi, I'm sorry. I didn't see your post until after I posted my last comment... Photo friends would be great. I would love to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I have met some people through my work that have offered some great advice but, I don't feel as if I have really clicked with any single person. They are either too advanced for me or they are not as focused... (obsessed?) with it as I seem to be. I could talk about photography all day if given the opportunity! I checked out your gallery, Nobi and you have some really amazing shots! It looks like all your time and effort has paid off! Thank you for the advice! :)
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Daniel Diaz |
Hi Nicole, checked out your gallery and was quite impressed. You have a great grasp on the phototaking aspect, the only thing I can suggest now is to expand more into the "Digital Darkroom", using PS or a similar program, I think this will get your creative juices flowing and enhance your phototaking experiences!!
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Michelle Ross |
Hi Nicole! I agree with Daniel! I think that expanding into the PS world will really expand your base. It's really amazing how you can spruce things up and have fun with your photos. I am concentrating more on Portrait work right now so I have been learning how to do alot of composite/collage type things which so far the few customers I've had really love. With what I see in your gallery that may not be an option but you just never know what you can come up with when you are moving and changing things. I know what you mean though about redundant information. . . it does seem like you get to the point of thinking what next and where do I go from here! Good Luck!
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Nicole Kessel |
Thank you Daniel and Michelle for your encouraging comments. Your very right. I really do need to expand my digital knowledge. I have been using Photoshop Elements for about three years now and I guess it is time to upgrade to the full version and see what I can do! You have accomplished a lot of neat effects in your gallery Daniel. And your portraits are gorgeous, Michelle. I really love the shots of the young girl in the long grasses. Thank you both so much!
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Daniel Diaz |
Thank-you Nicole, PS elements can actually do quite a bit, I belive you already have a powerfull enough tool to acheive quite a bit!!
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Michelle Ross |
Thank you Nicole for commenting on my gallery. . . if you have Photoshop Elements 3.0 then I think you will have strong enough tools. . . I know alot of great photographers who only use Elements and create some wonderful work.
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