Possibly one of my best could I train?

[NicolaB]

[IMG][/IMG]Camera Canon EOS Rebel XT
Lense EFS18-55

I have so many questions and I hope this is a good place to start. I have chosen one of my best pictures as I hope to achieve three things from this post:

1. To gain confidence and spur me on IF
2. I have a realistic chance of pursuing a career in taking portrait photographs (Simon Cowell like comments appreciated - be honest not kind).
3. Get pointers on what to do next - what training (I know nothing except how to point and shoot in autofocus) would provide me with all but the experience I need to go to find families willing to be photgraphed in return for their hard earned cash (UK)
4. What should I invest in first - camera, lense, training? (I have Canon Rebel xt with standard lense an a 75-300mm bought for safari when we had money!)

Until a few weeks ago I hadn't thought of photography as a career - but what a wonderful way to earn a living! It would be great to get advice from people who already live and breath photography.

Thank you in advance
(Flickr link http://www.flickr.com/photos/5135918...7624326615670/)

[windrider86]

Within the guidelines that are posted at the top of each page, are vital information that you need to know to post in the critique section. Please read thru them and edit your post with the information it's lacking. Thank you!!!

Holler if you need help!

[NicolaB]

no message - found how to load

[gidikh]

Enter Simon...

Sorry but this is gonna be a little harsh.

There are several points you could improve upon. Right now, this is more of a snapshot than a portrait.

• Top of her head is cut off
• You should always try to shoot at their eye level, especially with children. you need to get low on their level, not looking down on them
• People standing or sitting straight up should be set in vertical crop. Which is why its called 'Portrait Orientation'
• Lighting is really flat, I'm guessing you shot this in the middle of the day which is the worst time to do portraits. Whether or not you are using natural light or flashes, you want some subtle shadows to show the faces contours.

First thing I would do is pick up a educational book or dvd and start with that. I recently bought Amazon.com: The Best of Portrait Photography: Techniques and Images from the Pros (9781584282235): Bill Hurter: Books
and it has some great info in it.

Don't be discouraged, keep at it. I wouldn't commit to a career in photography just yet, but don't rule it out.

[NicolaB]

Thank you Simon

That was what I was wanting honesty! I don't want to be deluded.

I will have a look at the book. I know there is so much to learn and i am feeling a bit lost. Do great photographers just know when to shoot and how to use the light, how to compose, or is it a learnt thing.

I will look up vertical crop. I also thought that lighting was my biggest learning curve - hey this journey wouldn't be fun is it was easy!

I will not fall at the first hurdle!

Thanks Simon for posting and comments from others to point me to improve also appreciated.

[Kate Howells]

Hi Nicola

I cant see your image for some reason, so am not able to comment on that, but I would like to offer some advice.
(Your flicker link doesn't seem to be working either.)

I am self-employed, working as a photographer. I have been doing wedding photography for 3 years now.
I bought my first DSLR 5 years ago and got addicted to taking photos in any shape and form. I went and did a very basic photography course, and the rest I taught myself. Trial and error, and many hours researching and getting valuable crits from established photographers. Get some experience by offering to work with an established photographer, so you get to know what it involves.

I am fortunate enough to absolutely love what I do, but it is nothing like I expected it to be.

Doing photography as a profession is very different to doing it as a hobby.

Here are a few things which you should think about :

If you are charging people for photography, your equipment must be up to scratch - Pro equipment is not cheap.
You are required to perform under pressure, and get the shot regardless of if you feel like taking photos or not.
You will spend a lot of time doing admin work. Marketing your business, chasing clients for money, keeping books etc.

Decide on the type of photography you would like to do, and buy your equipment accordingly.

It is important to have a good camera body, but it is more important to invest in good lenses.

If you intend to do landscapes you will need a good tri-pod and a decent wide angle.
For portraits you could use anything from 50 - 105mm. Primes are always good.
For weddings or situations where you are going to be shooting in low light you will need a fast lens like the 70-200 f2.8 IS
You will need a decent flash, editing hardware and software, storage space. Back-up equipment, so that if you are in a middle of a shoot, and something fails, you can still carry on with your shoot.

Having said that, if it is something you really want to do, go for it!
Ask questions, and keep shooting. Nothing is impossible if it is something you really want to do.
Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.
Good luck!

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by nicjbowen@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you Simon

That was what I was wanting honesty! I don't want to be deluded.

I will have a look at the book. I know there is so much to learn and i am feeling a bit lost. Do great photographers just know when to shoot and how to use the light, how to compose, or is it a learnt thing.

I will look up vertical crop. I also thought that lighting was my biggest learning curve - hey this journey wouldn't be fun is it was easy!

I will not fall at the first hurdle!

Thanks Simon for posting and comments from others to point me to improve also appreciated.

I know you must be just learning, and while I will agree that you need to learn the rules to be able to break them, but I am going to have to disagree with nic on this particular photo. Yes, "rules" are nice, but they are just guidelines. There is a reason why it is one of your favorites. You captured a moment, a twinkle in her eye, at just the right angle for this image. Ok, I can't speak for you, but that is why I like it. The trick will be knowing how you got this, and when you can duplicate it again.

The no headroom thing is not a hard and fast rule. Great photographers do it all the time. You can run in to issues with it, especially if you are printing, and need to crop to a certain aspect ratio.

I don't understand the reasoning for always having to be at children's eye level to obtain a good photograph? You find the angle that works for that particular image, which is what you have done here. It gives it more of a mischievous feel to it than it would have had if you were at a lower angle.

What is the big deal about portrait or landscape orientation? I would suggest taking a photo in each format, and see what works for you better. Just because people are standing or sitting straight doesn't mean to automatically do portrait orientation.
Actually, for this image, I would prefer a more square crop.

Yes, the lighting is a little flat, but if there are no shadows, how can you tell what time of day it was? With this image, since her hair is around her face, you can do a little contrast adjustment so the little bit of shadow cast from her hair will give her face a little more form.
I have attached an edited version of your image to show what I am talking about.
All I did was duplicate the layer, added gaussian blur, and set the mode to soft light. Merged and reduced opacity. Some selective sharpening, and voila! Pop!

I would say, yes, read and learn the rules, but don't mire yourself down with them, To me, it cuts off creativity, and your work will start looking like everyone else's.

You are off to a great start! Keep on shooting! I hope to see more of your work soon!

[NicolaB]

I love the edited image! I have so much to learn - and that makes it all so exciting. It is just where to start - I always have wanted to run before I can walk! Posting my first image just makes me realise how far I have to go.

Luke thank you for being so kind, I was feeling kind of flat. I have opened up my album to get honest help and guideance - I am prepared to take the rough with the smooth or I . I would love to do a course to learn the basics, but there seem to be so many all asking for vast sums of money. (I learn better listening watching and doing rather than reading a book - I am too impatient!) Oh man!

Thank you for taking the time to help - much much appreciated

[lputman]

Yes, there's lots to learn with photography...but that's part of the fun.

I suggest you get the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. There are exercises that you can do. For me, practical application is how I learn best. Another great resource is Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by nicjbowen@yahoo.co.uk

I love the edited image! I have so much to learn - and that makes it all so exciting. It is just where to start - I always have wanted to run before I can walk! Posting my first image just makes me realise how far I have to go.

Luke thank you for being so kind, I was feeling kind of flat. I have opened up my album to get honest help and guideance - I am prepared to take the rough with the smooth or I . I would love to do a course to learn the basics, but there seem to be so many all asking for vast sums of money. (I learn better listening watching and doing rather than reading a book - I am too impatient!) Oh man!
Thank you for taking the time to help - much much appreciated

You are most welcome! And I meant say I disagree with gidikh, not nic! That's you! lol!

Originally Posted by lputman

Yes, there's lots to learn with photography...but that's part of the fun.

I suggest you get the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. There are exercises that you can do. For me, practical application is how I learn best. Another great resource is Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community.

I haven't read that book personally, but I have seen many people recommend it. But the Cambridge in Colour site is fantastic!
Good advice Lori!