Help! I can't get by on my limited knowledge anymore, where do I start?

[laughing willow]

I'm beginning to get a little frazzled, I'm ready to jump in to photography and I thought I knew relatively enough but seeing other photographers equipment, hearing them "talk the talk" and realizing in my search for a better professional camera, I hardly even know the stats I'm looking for, has left me feeling really inadequate. I also don't know how to use photoshop or other pro programs like lightroom, but I don't quite know how to get started using those programs either (picnik.com has got me by for now, but I really need to step up my editing knowledge)
Has anyone had this experience starting out? And how did they progress to level where they really felt confident in their ability as a professional? How long did it take?

[OsmosisStudios]

It's not the camera: you just have a lot to learn.

[laughing willow]

No, I know that, I'm just looking for advice of HOW the more experienced photographers learned and got to the stage they're at. I'm not too concerned with the camera.

[Nekrose]

Practice, practice, practice!
That's how people get more experienced. You just have to keep at it. Also, have people critique your work.

[naeno]

Go and look at the critique section of this site daily! You can learn a TON of info on posing, lighting, angles, etc. Then (like others have said) practice! I also recommend starting a 52. It's a lot of work, but your photographic skills will increase TREMENDOUSLY over the year.

[laughing willow]

Thank you for the advice! I am practicing, and I see my work getting better especially compared to past years. By the way, what is a 52? Do you guys use alot of the equipment such as studio lights and reflectors? I really haven't learned anything about that yet.

-Tacey Laughing Willow Photography - Home - Puyallup, WA

[Waxeye]

Originally Posted by laughing willow

I'm beginning to get a little frazzled, I'm ready to jump in to photography and I thought I knew relatively enough but seeing other photographers equipment, hearing them "talk the talk" and realizing in my search for a better professional camera, I hardly even know the stats I'm looking for, has left me feeling really inadequate. I also don't know how to use photoshop or other pro programs like lightroom, but I don't quite know how to get started using those programs either (picnik.com has got me by for now, but I really need to step up my editing knowledge)
Has anyone had this experience starting out? And how did they progress to level where they really felt confident in their ability as a professional? How long did it take?

My advice is that you get out and keep shooting but try and perhaps learn something new about your camera whenever you get the chance.
I'm not sure how far along you have progressed but for example if there is a mode you don't fully understand, for example what the difference between ai servo and one shot auto focus modes are, then go have a look at your manual and type it into google.

Once you learn it, go out and practice with it next time your shooting... this ingrains things a lot better so you know the situations where it will be useful in the future. Then if another button or function pops up, go search that up.

Re-post processing
If you have time I would be to grab the lightroom beta now and have a play round with it. You get to use it until the end of July i think so it will be worth the install even if you don't end up buying it. It is very easy to understand and adobe has many video tutorials on each function so it's not as easy to get lost in like PS.

link to LR beta download
Adobe Labs - Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3
link to adobe tv LR tutorials
AdobeTV

Whatever you do, make sure you take time learning things and try them out when you get the chance in the field. Once you learn your camera you will know what important features you will need in a future camera.
Maybe you could start a 360 project where you take a picture each day, this helps quickly learn post processing as you put what you've read into practice and helps creative composition by forcing you to make do with the subject you haave regardless of how interesting it is.
http://digital-photography-school.co...ects-365s-sys/

[naeno]

Originally Posted by laughing willow

Thank you for the advice! I am practicing, and I see my work getting better especially compared to past years. By the way, what is a 52? Do you guys use alot of the equipment such as studio lights and reflectors? I really haven't learned anything about that yet.

-Tacey Laughing Willow Photography - Home - Puyallup, WA

52 self-portraits for a year, one per week. There is a group over at flickr here. It's really a GREAT experience and you'd be surprised what you learn.

[oldwolf]

Shoot, shoot and shoot. When you think you've shot enough then shoot, shoot and shoot some more.

Read, read and read too.

If you can find a photographer to mentor you or to second shoot/assist with then do that. It might not pay anything at all but with the right mentor you'll learn tons of info.

[Stina3246]

Originally Posted by laughing willow

Thank you for the advice! I am practicing, and I see my work getting better especially compared to past years. By the way, what is a 52? Do you guys use alot of the equipment such as studio lights and reflectors? I really haven't learned anything about that yet.

-Tacey Laughing Willow Photography - Home - Puyallup, WA

I agree with what everyone else has said, I go NO WHERE without my camera, but I wanted to add, interning with a GOOD established photographer is a great experience. I have a friend who is an AMAZING photographer. I was "eh" I could take a decent shot. I started shooting with him as a second at some of his smaller weddings and assisting with other photoshoots. (He also uses my animals in some of his shots which is cool for lots of reasons!)
ANYWAY....He paid me practically nothing at first but now gives me a decent amount. Not huge but the experience I get shooting with him is priceless. In one year I went from "EH" to pretty good....still not great and no where NEAR him (or many of you one here) but I've learned enough to shoot some small weddings and events alone and feel very proud of myself and my small clientel seem happy. Though I still have LOTS to learn.