Ready To Graduate But Missing My Education

[ardentphotog]

I think I'm a pretty good point and shoot photog, but my camera is holding me back and it embarasses me to pull it out sometimes (Nikon L100 or something). I'm ready to upgrade to a DSLR, however, I don't feel I know enough about cameras and gear to make such a purchase, just yet.

Besides this wonderful site, can someone recommend good books and magazines on the technicals of photography? Like what an 18-55mm lens is good for, what apperatures are better for what job, wide angle zooms vs whtever other types of zooms exist (told ya I know nothing).

I particularly enjoy shooting what I call editorial photos, as well as plantlife and candids, however, I'd like to work toward building up my esteem to present more pics to more people in hopes of booking a job (in 6 months to a year).

Thanks all for your insight, information, and suggestions, in advance!

Sorry, I just looked at this today. Hopefully, you will return to read it.

Scott Kelby has created the PERFECT set of books for YOU! "The Digital Photography Book" (vol 1-3) are small books full of wisdom and advice from a seasoned photographer and photoshop guy. Each page of the book covers a topic. I just grabed book 2 to give you an example.. the two facing pages when I randomly opened the book are.. Which Color Reflector To Use & Where to position a Reflector. Both topics are from the chapter "Building a Studio From Scratch". In chapters about weddings, sports, landscapes, etc... he alwas takes a page to discuss which lenses to use.

A big bonus for me was the "recipes" in the back of each book. A photo is shown and then fairly detailed instructions given as to how to acheive it.

You can buy the whole set on Amazon for under $50

Good Luck!

[LeeR]

I know the feeling. There was a time when all I had was a simple point and shoot camera and I felt hampered by its lack of features. After a while, however, I finally came to accept my plight and decided to make the most of it. It was an important step in my development.

Truth is, you can do an awful lot even with the simplest camera. Real photography is about our ability to "see photographically" and, to be honest, the buttons and dials can get in the way. If you can learn to focus on seeing what others miss you will be much better off. I have been doing photography at a high level for several decades now and I am still blown away by very simple and well executed images.

Several months ago when someone asked a similar question I put together some of my favorite point-and-shoot shots. I'm not trying to show off, but to demonstrate that a great deal of new territory is still waiting to be claimed; and the best vehicle to carry you there is not technology, but creativity.

[jdepould]

Maybe pick up a cheap used DSLR with a kit lens (~$300) until you figure out which way is up with this stuff. Spend six months figuring out what all you need to learn, and go from there.

[baycruisers]

Henri Cartier-Bresson, considered the father of modern photojournalism by many, shot untold numbers of stunning photographs with a Leica camera that was primitive compared to even an inexpensive modern P & S. Further, he had to develop and print his photos long after he shot them, and could not benefit from the immediate feedback of a small LCD screen or manipulate or correct his images with Photoshop.

In other words, develop your eye with what you've got while you look for a used or inexpensive DSLR and when you find one you'll take what you've learned about seeing to the next level.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by baycruisers

Henri Cartier-Bresson, considered the father of modern photojournalism by many, shot untold numbers of stunning photographs with a Leica camera that was primitive compared to even an inexpensive modern P & S. Further, he had to develop and print his photos long after he shot them, and could not benefit from the immediate feedback of a small LCD screen or manipulate or correct his images with Photoshop.

In other words, develop your eye with what you've got while you look for a used or inexpensive DSLR and when you find one you'll take what you've learned about seeing to the next level.

The big difference here is manual control. I'm not sure I'd describe a Leica as "primitive." I can do more with a manual film camera than I can with the most advanced P&S you can find. He was still doing plenty of darkroom work too.

[LeeR]

Originally Posted by jdepould

The big difference here is manual control. I'm not sure I'd describe a Leica as "primitive." I can do more with a manual film camera than I can with the most advanced P&S you can find. He was still doing plenty of darkroom work too.

I think you are missing the point. As advanced as Bresson's Leica may have been, he was using it much like we use a P&S today. He set the focus to the hyperfocal distance, and the exposure for daylight so that he didn't have to mess with the dials when he shot. He was looking for that amazing composition, that "decisive moment" when magical things happened. No doubt he was a brilliant photographer, but in many ways his brilliance came from reducing the technical to the minimum so that he could concentrate on "seeing." I can't think of any reason why he couldn't have done the very same thing with one of today's simple point and shoots.