beginner starting out with the powershot sx30 is

[MoreAboutNothing]

hello everyone, i love taking photographs but never took it too seriously until a little while ago..i always thought it was fun so i bought my powershot sx30 is. ive recently ventured out of auto mode to program mode with this camera..ive seen some excellent pictures from people with this camera and was wondering if anyone could share any tips or suggestions for a beginner with it. thanks!

[Hill Country Hack]

Welcome to DPS.

There is much to read and learn in the tutorial threads on a multitude of topics about photography. I read a tutorial, then go out and expirement with the tutorial in mind. Practice, practice and practice some more. Post your better shots in the appropriate critique section and accecpt the given feedback.

I cannot speak about your camera, but, read the manual and explore the web for tutorials.

Good luck!

[MoreAboutNothing]

thanks hill country hack!

ill take a look for some more tutorials, but have been reading about many photography topics daily, thanks for the advice!
anyone else out there with some tips and/or suggestions with the sx30 is?

[dlambert]

I think the idea is that photography with your camera isn't too awfully different than photography with any other camera. With a compact camera, you'll have a little less room to work with aperture and ISO, but you should still be able to take some really nice photos.

A big part of your success is going to be putting in some time shooting, then review your work and decide what you want to improve. We can help by making suggestions (post your photos in the critique areas), but ultimately, you're going to get results out of the camera in relation to the effort you put in. Along the way, if you come up with specific questions, we can help you with specific answers, of course.

[darksideflash]

Hello MoreAboutNothing,
I am in the same boat as you and am currently using a Canon Powershot G12. I bought this camera as a way to wet my feet rather than jump head first into a DSLR and lens. The nice thing about it is that if the this "seriousness" fades, I still have a great all around camera. I will tell you that I almost did by the SX30 IS because it had a lot of features that I liked. I had also used my mother's SX30 IS. But then I got a hold of my step father's G12 and it blew me away.
All in all, I would say that we both have starter cameras and need to practice practice practice (maybe even make a little money) before jumping all the way into the DSLR pool. My plan is to practice and earn a little money specifically to upgrade to a DSLR.

And remember, its the picture that talks, not the camera.

Eli

[dda53]

I too am new to serious photography. And like you I have a new Canon SX30 IS and I believe that we could not have a better tool to begin learning digital photography. I have had my SX for about one year and I read everything I can find both on the Web and the Library about digital photography. The more I learn, the more thrilled I get with taking shots. I have been excepted by a website for stock photos and I am attempting to sell some of my pics. I find it all very exciting. And at some point I with upgrade out of the "bridge camera" class, but for now what we have I think is the perfect learning tool.