 Kathy L. Pollick |
So Much to learn in Photography I am a total amature in photography but I am in love with taking pictures. I have tried to learn more with books & experimenting with the camera, but there seems to be sooooooo much to learn. I can't imagine ever being able to be a professional at it. It's probably like any other profession, you can't learn everything, but how much do you need to know to be excellent at what you do??? I get excited about learning new things then I find so much more I simply don't understand... then I feel overwhelmed. I want to simply enjoy taking pictures and have them look great. Should I consider taking some classes??? Any suggestions? Thanks
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Debby A. Tabb |
I belive you have so many of your own answers.You are right, you can never know everything -this is a fast changing world that is moving at a unbeliveable rate now that computers play such a huge part. and yes you can get very overwhelmed! but there will always be the basics. deciding what direction you would like to go in-and how far.Then deciding how far you would like to get into the equiptment envolved for that paticular direction and then know that equiptment enough to GET STARTED. I see from your gallery- you like to photograph pets and family- then also learn posing - you can fix so much these days with a computer- but you can't fix posing. Also, I have told many that Pet Photography is one of the easiest ways to get started-the clients know your working with moving animals as well as families- they are just so glad to be able to have thier family portraits done with such a vital member of thier family.They are very forgiving when things are not perfect-when I wrote my CD on pet posing- To give you all the poses I wanted to use ,I used a lot of imperfect shots-but every one of those shots sold. This may be a intrest to you at some point. But most importrant is that if you belive working as a professional photographer is a DREAM then don't let a little think like knowlage stop you -study, practise, learn! and if all you want to do is take great pictures that you can enjoy for a lifetime that is ok too.-just stick around here and try some of the stuff talked about. and know that when we stop having things to learn-we're probubly dead. I do hope this can help in some small way, Debby Tabb wishing you the best of luck in your ventures.
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Debby A. Tabb |
Dear Kathy, I belive you have so many of your own answers.You are right, you can never know everything -this is a fast changing world that is moving at a unbeliveable rate now that computers play such a huge part. and yes you can get very overwhelmed! but there will always be the basics. deciding what direction you would like to go in-and how far.Then deciding how far you would like to get into the equiptment envolved for that paticular direction and then know that equiptment enough to GET STARTED. I see from your gallery- you like to photograph pets and family- then also learn posing - you can fix so much these days with a computer- but you can't fix posing. Also, I have told many that Pet Photography is one of the easiest ways to get started-the clients know your working with moving animals as well as families- they are just so glad to be able to have thier family portraits done with such a vital member of thier family.They are very forgiving when things are not perfect-when I wrote my CD on pet posing- To give you all the poses I wanted to use ,I used a lot of imperfect shots-but every one of those shots sold. This may be a intrest to you at some point. But most importrant is that if you belive working as a professional photographer is a DREAM then don't let a little think like knowlage stop you -study, practise, learn! and if all you want to do is take great pictures that you can enjoy for a lifetime that is ok too.-just stick around here and try some of the stuff talked about. and know that when we stop having things to learn-we're probubly dead. I do hope this can help in some small way, Debby Tabb wishing you the best of luck in your ventures.
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John P. Sandstedt |
Practice, practice, practice. This is the first key. You didn't say whether you're using a film or digital camera; if the former., you might have be a bit more judicious cost wise [film and developing] but, digital ain't cheap if you consider the price of the memory cards, the computer, the editing program, the paper and the inkjet ink. If you have an SLR and several lenses, the best thing you can do is plan a first day shooting only with your normal lens [if you have one.] Normal -a lens with a focal length of 45-55mm. Be sure to take lots of pictures of the same subject[s] buy walking around and shooting from different angles. Have your pictures processed [if film] or load them into your computer [digital.] Study these and find out what you like or dislike about them. It will help if you write down the actual exposure[s] you shoot. On a second day, try the same thing - this time using a lens of a different focal length. Compare the results of the two shoots; compare exposures, angles, perspective, etc. Continue using all your lenses. This exercise will do several things. First - you'll learn about and appreciate what each lens can do. Second, you'll gain familiarity with your camera and lenses so that you'l be better able to select the correct lens in any given situation. Remember the adage - Them that can - does; then that can't teach! In that pearl of wisdom you'll be able to assess available courses of instruction you might consider. Junior colleges are a great source of non-credit courses, sometimes taught by decent and knowledgable photographers. And, sometimes, you might find a qualified instructor at a high school adult-education program. You do need to check out the instructors credentials as, often, these folks may not be qualified. Contact a local camera club. Go to the Photographic Society of America web site and send an e-mail requesting info on member clubs. There are also great state organizations: New England Conference of Camera Clubs; the NJ Federation of Camera Clubs, etc. Web sites from this type of organization often have links to their member clubs. Certainly, the courses list in BP.com offer possibilities. FOr me, however, they might be expensive since many are very focused on a single topic. Thus, to work the entire gamut, you could spend lots of money. You can learn via the Q&A section on the site. However, there are just too many questions [and much repeat info] to make searching and learning generalities a practical solution. However, if there were a topical search capability [being considered based on a response to a question I asked] is developed, you can learn a lot from some really fine photographers - amateur and professional. But, the most important thing[s] remains - PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE.
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Kathy L. Pollick |
Thanks for the suggestions & help. All I know about my camera is: I have 2 lenses... one that came with the camera & we bought a zoom. Have no idea what the "numbers" are on them or what they mean. I'll have to look them up & post them later so maybe someone can tell me what they are. I have "tried" using the manual settings but really can't see a difference in the pix from the auto, so I just use the auto. I'd love to learn about the f thingys and the apetures, etc. I guess I'll take your advice & just practice, practice, practice.
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Irene Troy |
Hi Kathy – Because I was once – not very long ago – in exactly the same place that you are in I will try to share some of my experiences with you in the hope that what I’ve learned may be of some use. I have always loved taking pictures and have played at photography for years. A few years ago I decided to follow my dream and try to make my living writing and perhaps doing some photography. The writing comes natural for me, but picture making has been a real challenge. Like you, I have read and studied just about everything I could find on the topic of photography. I have taken a couple of workshops and done a lot of research online –this is how I found this site. Everything helped, but nothing really gave me the feeling that I could actually master the art. Like you, I often felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information that I encountered. There is so much to know! I kept taking pictures and kept feeling frustrated that my photos often failed to capture what I was trying to express. I showed my photos to my friends and family – all of whom said things like “that’s a great shot; you should try to sell that photo; wow that looks great”. However, I was rarely really happy with my results and I lacked the confidence to even offer photos to possible editors who were considering using me to write an article. I took my first BP course last year and I was very skeptical about this way of learning. But, the course, Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure” was really wonderful and suddenly concepts that I had been struggling to understand became clear. I learned the important difference between “taking a picture” and “making an image”. Bryan challenged all the students to produce their best work and to challenge their own imagined limits. My second course was Kerry Dragger’s “Light and Composition” class. Again, this was a terrific class and I learned much. More important, I started developing much more confidence. By sharing images between classmates, receiving detailed and very helpful critiques and viewing other people’s work I really began to see my own images improve and my ability increase. Once again, Kerry challenged all of us to push the limits and to think more creatively about making images. I am now enrolled in Brenda Tharp’s class “Creating Visual Impact” class. We are only in our second week, but already I can see that I will learn a great deal and grow in my own work. I think it is important to think about how you learn the best. Do you learn better on your own or when participating in a class with others? Are you comfortable with Internet learning or do you want a more traditional classroom? Of-course, cost is always a factor. Posting your images online, here for example, is a way to get feedback from others. You can also try viewing the work done by other photographers on this site and reading the critiques that others contribute. I find all of these methods useful. One thing I have learned, not just about photography, but about life in general, there is always more to learn. You cannot allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the amount that you don’t know. Instead, think about what you do know and how much you have already learned by simply working at your own images. I sometimes feel frustrated because I don’t know how to make an image, or because the image I do make falls short of what I intended. It is not uncommon for me to spend an entire day out making images only to end up with only one or two WOW shots. But, I am outdoors in nature, doing what I like and hopefully learning for tomorrow. I hope this helps! Irene
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Kevin Ekstrom |
I would like to make a single suggestion: Creative Camera Control by Peter Laytin This a great book to teach you all the basics plus the price is right, I believe around 12.00. When I first started photography this book was suggested to me by an instructer at city college. The book was a great help and something I could carry with me as I learned. (Its not a very big book.) But it's loaded with all the info anyone needs to learn their camera.
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