Total Beginner - Need TONS of advice!

[BananaFoster]

Hi!

I've been interested in photography for a long time, so yesterday I got my first DSLR! I spent the majority of the day experimenting with aperture priority and time priority modes, and I'm definitely getting a feel for my new camera. But I really need some advice, because I have no idea where to go from here.

I feel like I should just keep taking pictures, but I feel like I need to do a little more than that to get better. I see other people's photography, and I just have no idea how to reproduce their images.

For example, images like this: http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4...xak7o1_500.jpg

I have NO idea how to reproduce that effect, how it looks so hazy. Perhaps it's photoshopping (which I also need to learn :\)

So what do you recommend me do? Which books should I read? Should I do a project 365? Should I replicate other photographer's pictures?

and also, my flickr is Flickr: Apes and Androids' Photostream and would love some criticism. Don't sugarcoat it, I'm aware I'm horrible and I really want to get better . I'd love to make some flickr friends, comment on each other's pictures, etc.. I don't know any photographers in real life, so I really want to make some flickr connections!

Thanks and hopefully I'll see you on flickr!

[Jojie]

welcome!! welcome!! do you have work where you can afford stuff? or your like the rest of us scraping and trading things off to feed our [s]habit[/s] .. ehem.. hobby...

for a totally totally fresh off the ... box dslr owners and learners.. you might start off knowing the differences between AV, TV, and M modes and how to use them effectively. Learn things like F stops and shutter speeds and ISO and effects in low light situations. And composition.. then after that you can get a bit more creative and use those features to your advantage.. followed by learning how to light.. that's using 1 flash, 2 flashes (on/off camera etc.) but if as you mention you are totally new..

Learn your gear -- and how to use the combination of F stop (that's the AV) and shutter speeds and ISO and composition.


There's a lots of them when you google search and will lead you to different sites. Try searching it from this site as well..

[tuxcomputers]

The first thing you need to learn is the relationship between Aperture, Shutter speed and ISO.

I have written about this subject before here.

[BananaFoster]

I don't see the point of using manual mode..

Why not use the shutter priority mode or the aperture priority mode?

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by BananaFoster

I don't see the point of using manual mode..

Why not use the shutter priority mode or the aperture priority mode?

Because as smart as they make camera's there are situations that you need full control, look up high key and low key photography. The camera would have a fit trying to do a decent job at either, you would get frustrated.

You don't need to know the Manual mode for now, use the other modes and learn until you hit the limits of the camera, along the way you will start to understand what settings have what effects on the image.

Eventually you will get to the stage that you have to go to the M mode to get the effect you want.

[IainM]

Go to the library and read any book on the basics of photography, one that includes sections on composition, exposure and lighting.
Though some may be better than others, I think any will do just fine. Read it to get up to speed with all the various terms and to have a grasp on the basic "rules" of photography.
From there, just browse flikr or deviant art, read webistes like here and most importantly - practice!

Though here is an important note - don't just shotgun photos and hope one comes out well, it's not enough to practice by shooting anything and everything without thinking, you need the right kind of practice.
Take photos and note what settings you use and what the subject and composition is like and try to learn from them.
What is good? what is bad? How could it be improved.

Those questions (among others) applied to both your photos and ones you see on flikr or wherever will help you enormously.

good luck!

[Jojie]

funny thing about Manual is.. didn't we start out manual everything and when digital came out it had auto features --- and more auto features that works really when.. then we got to know the camera then went back to manual???

I find myself shooting manual most times these days including flash and everything else.. and mind you.. other modes work just as well..

but for a complete beginner.. forget manual on anything. I'd start off learning the .. ermm. like what tuxcomputer said.... that's a good place to start.. then add composition.... even if you don't know how to use a camera well a good composition will still look good! then add on from there...

I won't say learn composition because you will learn it as you go through learning your camera.. but it's good to keep that in mind as you go through and learning photography!!!

[RichardTaylor]

@ Jojie

From my experience
Originally you "guesstimate" the exposure using the exposure guide that came with film. Voightlander Bessa II & Kodak Retinette 1A
Then came an external light meter
Then came an optional meter that interlocked with some of your camera controls so you could "match the needle" (Pentax SV with optional meter)
Then came camera with an inbuilt through the lens light meter so you could "match the needle" (Pentax Spotmatic & Minolta SRT 101)

Then it was a Canon EOS 1000 SLR... (around 1991) which really isn't much different to my Canon 40D with scene modes, automatic, and shutter priority etc, as well as manual.
It has more automation than my Canon 5D

I use manual in difficult lighting conditions or if I want a particular result.

@BananaFoster
You may find the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson
to extreemly helpful with the basics.
# ISBN-10: 0817437126
# ISBN-13: 978-0817437121

[Jojie]

Thanks Richard.. I know nothing prior to DSLR's you see... and when I read based on film togs. they mention all about manual.. etc..

but wow. haven't we come a long way..

[JoesPhotos]

Welcome, I'll throw in my 2 cents. If you're a total newbie, I'd start by suggesting (and it may sound trivial) with the CORRECT way to hold a camera.

Then start with learning your camera. I did this when I first started.

Pick a mode. Then turn the feature your working with all the up or down. Take a picture, then adjust up or down (keep adjusting the same way each time don't go backwards) Take the next picture, adjust, next picture and keep going until you can't adjust any more.

Now the joy of having a flickr account. Upload those pictures you just took and then compare the differences. Obviously there will be a visual difference. Under "More Properties" it will tell you EVERYTHING you possibly want to know about the photo. That way you can relate the setting to the effect. I'm a visual, hands-on learner, this is what worked for me. It may or may not be helpful, but it is merely a suggestion.

If it does work, then try another mode and do the same thing.

Happy clicking.