 Sarah N. Adams |
Where to start? Hello, I'm a senior at Sonoma State University, studying Photography. I want to continue in photography after school and I'm thinking about getting into Wedding photography. I have ask a few professionals around my home town if I could help them out in any way and learn from them in the field. I haven't hear back yet. My big problem is my school seems not to care too much for the art dept and can't even afford to teach us digital. I know I need to switch to digital if I want to continue working in this field. Meaning I need to buy a digital SLR, not just a point and shoot. I also need to get a new lab-top and software. And I need to learn digital from the camera to the computer. My questions are: What cameras? What computers? What software? What classes? Canon or Nikon?, Apple or PC? Where do I start class wise? I know photography as far as film but basically nothing as far as digital. I'm a bit over-whelmed and I know I need to dish out a lot of money before I graduate in December but I need to be efficient. Any help is appreciated. Thanks Sarah
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W. |
You've come to the right place, Sarah. All that info is right here. If you're prepared to spend the time to read and absorb it. There are no 5 minute answers. Just type a keyword about what you are interested in in the Search box on this page and hit Enter. And start reading. And learning. Have fun!
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Sarah, What film camera do you use now ? If you have Canon or Nikon lenses, many of these will work with digital bodies. This may make your decision easier. I use Canon myself but I think both Nikon & Canon are equal so get whatever feels comfortable to you as far as the ergonomics & menu/controls layout. I used a PC for many years and recently switched to MAC and my only regret is that I didn't make the switch years ago. This is important because photoshop comes in PC & MAC versions. You may be able to take advantage of student discounts as well. Both Canon & Nikon come with editing software as well, so Photoshop is not essential, but it is the best editing software. Better Photo has many courses from Digital Wedding Photography, several Photoshop courses and business classes as well. Look at the course outlines and see which ones are appealing to you. And as W stated, there are many threads to read through right here. Good Luck, Carlton
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Oliver Anderson |
Sarah, you go to Sonoma State, Napa/Sonoma are HUGE wedding locations...you've got to be proactive and call the resorts/venues and ask them who the top photogs are. Then check out the websites and call them...Pro-active approach.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
If you know film then you'll know digital. If you've only shot negatives, then about the only adjustment that will take some time is the narrow exposure latitude of digital. Otherwise, photography is photography.
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Samuel Smith |
quite the deal eh greg. so I spent time and did a search of sanoma state,well. please don't insinuate we are less than educated.either your lack of studies or homework fell short or you wish to blame that instition for your ability to learn or not to learn? then your assertion that without a laptop ,how can I photograph anything? software I guess in your mind is completion?the new wave.... my guess is you are not miss sarah.so. capture is capture.
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Marianne Fortin |
http://www.sonoma.edu/art/catalog/studio_course_descriptions.htm This would be a good place to start.
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Sarah N. Adams |
In response to those whom say SSU has digital and "I missed it", No I did not. The school says it offers this class and education, but in reality these so-called classes get cut every year. Thanks for researching for me but I I already know about my school.
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Oliver Anderson |
Perhaps transfer to San Francisco State since they keep canceling required courses.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Unless you're a student without a computer, buy a digital camera the same brand as your film camera so you can use the lenses. You'll get a digital camera and a version of photoshop with it, you may already have the computer. Nice and efficient.
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Debby A. Tabb |
Thanks Sam! But for anyone intrested in"jumping In" to alot of info, before or after a digital choice. Nikon holds "Nikon School" in verious places through out the US, It is great for,beginers as well as refresher courses for those wanting the latest info available. I myself am considering taking some friends to thier beginers class then following up with other friends in thier Pro-class the next day! There is always SO MUCH more to learn as our technoligy changes ...what guys?every 6 mos or so?! * Note this not to bypass classes if you have already started on that route/or instead of more involved study as they are "Packing"you with what they can in a weekend. I hope this helps,for more info see the Nikon web site under "Nikon Skool" Debby Tabb
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Samuel Smith |
i like that nikon skool. marianne I spent 20 minutes on that website before I responded,seemed like a good course,wether film or digital. since you know film have your photos put on a cd.or not.or clarify your question as to why you need all this equipment. locally there is usually the small business groups,if by your post,you want to start a small business,can be a great help. effecient.knowledge and experience can be just that.i agree it is based on instruction,but for us to guess your commitment in a class leaves us with an unknown. ok,you learn to fly a plane,in a class,then want to know why you can't get a job with ata,well. apparently you have allready ignored medium format,film,and only digital will save you. please share with us a revised motive,sam
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Sarah N. Adams |
Sam thanks for all of you unhelpful advise please don't waste anymore of your time. You choose not to answer my simple questions at hand but attack me personal, when you don't even know me. For your info SSU may say they offer these wonderful class but they don't if the classes were available I would have taken them. I'm not looking to transfer my current work to digital but thanks. I almost only shoot with my medium format camera, which I love. I don't see digital as my savor. From what I have been told by several professional photographers in the field of Wedding photography digital is the best, most efficient way to go. Please stop wasting your time. Ask for options on products not on me.
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Samuel Smith |
savior. though cryptic I respond to help.oh boy. that I said your choice of a college or university was wrong,nope. I have to judge in print wether your understanding or ambition is genuine? you know medium format film,with it's great poster size capabilities and resolution and you want the ease of digital? ok,as far as being a bp member,i try.to help with a young student such as you to see. if you have learned the expertise to shoot medium format and you wish to shoot weddings,bite me.the sky is not falling and you cry too much.digital is very close to mediun format but it comes down to expertise and then photoshop. if you have learned your craft ,though you might not have a portfolio,sell yourself with your knowledge.if you have learned medium format your good to go,show em. the personal attack which you claim is the result of non interaction with people.years ago ,by what you said,i would still be picking myself up off the floor.and hopefully I wasn't missing a tooth.and it wasn't film vs digital.hmmm,sam
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Sarah, Don't get discouraged by Sam's remarks. I have to read his posts a couple of times to try and decipher what he is even saying. Greg is correct about photography being photography but your concerns are very viable. I learned on a Nikon F2 back in the 70's and when I decided to switch to digital in 2001, I had to learn about the digital aspect of everything. One thing that is nice is that you can change ISO on the fly without replacing the film. To learn how the digital camera works and how to use the basic computer functions like downloading, storing photos, and file management and then how to process the images using Photoshop and other software were big learning curves for me when I started out. Most people have a lot more computer skills these days. I didn't discover Better Photo until I made a lot of mistakes on my own. Better Photo has saved me a lot of time & grief by simply asking questions & reading through existing threads so I can make more informed decisions. I have also taken a few Photoshop, RAW processing, Corel Painter & other courses here and I highly recommend them. Its sad that Sonoma has to cut some of their courses but at least you have some options.
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Marianne Fortin |
Sarah, It seems wrong that a college would state that they offer courses to get you to sign up and pay, then withdraw some of them. The digital courses are very important these days, as you know. Anyway, to answer your questions: What camera? Depends on your budget as to which model but most would recommend either Canon or Nikon. What computer? You already say you need a laptop, most people would recommend a Mac as best for photographers. What software? Photoshop, and various other software aimed at wedding photogs. What classes? Check out the BetterPhoto classes.
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Kerry L. Walker |
I have to agree with Gregory. If you know film shooting, you know photography. What you are actually trying to learn is the difference in post-processing. As far as you "needing" to switch to digital to shoot weddings, I have to disagree. Now, if you were talking about news photography or something where you have to have the images NOW, I would understand. However, with weddings, that is not the case. I shoot weddings and the only digital camera I own is the one in my cell phone. Now, if you WANT to switch to digital, that is your choice so by all means do so but understand you are going to be spending quite a bit of money to get started. And, as Gregory suggested, you will have to get accustomed to the more limited latitude of digital. Other than that, it is all photography. If you want to get started in digital post-processing without buying a digital camera, send your film to a lab that will send you a CD with his-res files along with your processed negatives.
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Samuel Smith |
here we are,i thought I would try to help many keep track of slick. it went from being cheated in college to a pro at medium format. so I suggested a cd a few posts back. I placed the bait out there and got results. in the original post,cheated,then it turns into proficient in medium format. as a home study group you people sit around and spit at each other? I suppose that with sarah ,she requests all this knowledge of equipment and learned this from where? so the threat and consequenses of being wrong are a part of this,gee. I await sarah's post.
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W. |
Jeez, Sam, now I'm sure who they modeled Statler & Waldorff after. But since it was too much even for a fantasy character, they spread it over two! :–)))
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Anonymous |
Damm Sam your smarter than you look. Sarah
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Samuel Smith |
apology accepted.it's not I don't like you,gee I did a search here 2 years ago and got lost,yet you may have a point. I don't know,sam
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