 Tamara L. Shurling |
Finding a Mentor How would I go about finding someone to mentor me?
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mary Iacofano |
Hello Tamara, I have come to realize that I have a few mentors right here at BP. I follow some great photographers work from here. Everyone is so friendly, I feel ok about e-mailing a few to ask for pointers. I always get an answer. I go through the recent entries for the contest and have some "favorite" photographers. When new photos are uploaded that really catch my eye, they are usually from one of my favorites. The more you get involved and comment on other peoples work, the more you get out of it. People here will respond. You learn alot from interaction on this site. I also follow this forum and learn alot from other peoples questions and answers. So, without others even knowing, they are my mentors. I also take classes here and the instructors act as mentors. I keep in touch with my instructors long after the class is finished. I never had one of them mind me contacting them asking another question. Get invloved here and you will not only enjoy it but learn alot too. Happy shooting,
|
|
|
|
||
|
Richard Lynch |
That is such great advice Mary! And you have a wonderful, lush gallery as well. Tamara, while I think you will do well to follow Mary's advice, is there a particular topic you are looking for help on? Do you have specific questions you'd like to ask here?
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mary Iacofano |
Thanks for the lovely compliment Richard. Mary
|
|
|
|
||
|
Tamara L. Shurling |
No specific topic really, I have always loved photography, I am now just starting to get serious about it and I want to know what I am doing wrong,etc. I will be getting a DSLR by the end of the year and would like to take some classes as well. Mostly I like taking pictures of nature and children. Thank you for the advice I will start looking around more and getting more involved
|
|
|
|
||
|
Samuel Smith |
hey tamara, quit centering your subjects,look for the candid shots where they don't know your taking pictures. catch them,your kids,thinking,pondering.these are the ones you'll remember.scrapbook. learn the metering patterns of your camera and go from there.aperture priority is pretty neat.shutter priority is confined to the speed of the lens,limits. don't jump to a new camera until you understand the limits of your present camera. I really don't think your ready for classes.not to seem rude,just basic understanding will hold you back. I still say advertisers should offer a mentor series,for free.we buy their products.why pay someone big bucks to promote their product?the distraction of having a celebrity on the payroll is bs. oh yeah,your idea/choice of shooting at mid day,while the light is really harsh,is wrong. I am sure I missed something,sam
|
|
|
|
||
|
Tamara L. Shurling |
Thanks for the cc, I really appreciate it. I am reading and learning. I know I need to work on my rule of thirds, I was just reading about not shooting midday so that is something I will be working on. I am very limited by my camera, it is just a point and shoot, therefore the reason I want to get a DSLR and play with things. I want to be able to work with the settings and figure it out. Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mary Iacofano |
Hi Tamara, My first digital camera was an olympus point & shoot. The c700. It gave me the ability to change white balance, and shoot in different modes such as apeture, shutter speed, sports & portrait. I had no idea what all of that meant. I kept it on auto all of the time. Then I started seeing some really great work by many photographers. I wanted to learn more. I am not good at reading a book & learning that way. I am more of the type that I need written out lessons. Everybody is different. I took my first class here at BP on learning the digital camera. Sam mentioned "don't jump to a new camera until you understand the limits of your present camera." Totally agree. I do think you are ready to take lessons if you have a desire to do so. Look in the class course section of this company and look under skill level of 1. that is the beginner classes. That is where I started. That will teach the basics of the camera & what they mean. You will learn so much even with your point & shoot. Dont jump into buying a dslr until you know what it is all about. You have to learn the basics first and see what your likes & dislikes are. The first class I took here was the beginner class from the Silvermans called "Jump start to digital photography". At first it was all greek to me. I must of read each lesson a hundred times. The more I practiced, the more I learned from the lessons & going out & shooting. I cant stress enough, practice, practice, practice. You cant practice & learn if you dont know the settings & basics. There are many beginner courses here that will teach the settings and cover things like rule of thirds, lighting, etc. I have taken 8 classes here at Bp. I am not advertising for them. the courses can get pricey. But you have to learn somewhere. Another point is, it is not the camera that takes good pictures, it is the photographer. I advise a beginner course, one for 8 weeks. gives you alot of time to really get into the course. Get involved in your class & ask questions & post comments on others work. I really enjoyed my first class with the Silvermans. BP has many courses to choose from. Thats how I started & I am very proud of my work now. I still have so much more to learn. I will continue taking lessons. Good luck with your choices. If you ever want to contact me you are more than welcome. You can contact me through this site. I invite you to check out my gallery or website. All of that work is a result from my lessons right here at BP. Happy Shooting,
|
|
|
|
||
|
Amy JACKSON |
Tamara, Hi! If you ever have any questions you can e-mail me. I will try to help you if I can! I have been a member on BP now for two years and have come a long way with my photography. Do you have any books on photography? I have a few that have also helped me. Amy
|
|
|
|
||
- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
Another thing to consider Tamara is picking a mentor. Before asking for help, or taking anyone's advice, look at their gallery and make sure they can walk the walk. Find someone whose interests in photography mirror yours. Make sure they are technically sound and artistically talented.
|
|
|
|
||
- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Also try to find one that's not bitter or easily distracted.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Tamara L. Shurling |
Thank you, all of you for all of your advice it will help me a lot!
|
|
|
|
||
|
Samuel Smith |
i,m starting to like the members here,well except for me. they will help. sam
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||