I'll add my 2 cents :
#1 If you want to get serious about photography, think about your shots before you take them. Don't waste all your camera time taking shots of random items, your pets or your kids, you'll never broaden your knowledge by taking 'point and shoot' pictures - if this is what you like to do, don't waste your money on a good camera : stay with a PnS type. There is a BIG difference between a photographer and someone who takes pictures.
#2 Take the time to learn how to get the right exposure the first time you take the picture, not the 10th time in the same sitting. Most people call this 'bracketing' , what it really is, is total guess work. You can get pretty good at 'reading' exposure when you want to learn how to take that great shot the first time.
#3 Learn the full potential of your camera. It amazes me that people have spent a lot of money on a really nice DSLR only to find out they don't know how to use it. Everyone who owns a DSLR should learn to take exposure shots / night time / waterfalls / sunsets / landscapes. This might mean going down a road you're not familiar with but in the end, it will make you a better, all around photographer.
I'm adding a 4th point sorry : Every shot you take, you should look at it like this : Would someone who doesn't know me like this picture? Would someone who doesn't know me buy this picture? You may not be into selling your photos persay, but if you call yourself a photographer, you should take pictures like one.
Might be a little harsh, I know but.... too many people just take the most randomest shots of nothing and call themselves a photographer : drives me nuts. I've spend 1000's of hours learning everything my camera can do and finding it's limitations. This means I can point my camera and get the shot I want everytime. How many of you all still 'bracket' right?? I may sound a tad arrogant but following these mentioned steps ( for me ) has yielded a very lush and very successful professional photography career. It's ALL frame of mind....and it's wanting to be more than just some guy with a nice camera
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Pentax K10D
18-50mm
55-200mm
Last edited by maritimer; 10-05-2008 at 12:25 PM.
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