Beginning photography tips/advice

[rachelle1983]

Hey! I'm new here. I haven't registered for either of the courses yet, and am still unsure if I'm going to or not. I would like to take some form of photography course so that I can learn what everything means and how to use my camera other than simple point and shoot. I guess, my biggest question about the courses here is are they good for beginners--aka those of us who know nothing about all the technical camera terms?

Also, I enjoy taking pictures. People are always telling me to get the camera out of their faces. Even my kids. hehe... :) I'm constantly snapping pictures everytime I go somewhere. My father is really the one who has kind of been pushing me to try to do photography as a part time job on my own, but I would have no idea where to start. It seems like a fun idea to have a little extra income coming in doing something I do on a regular basis anyway. :) Where would I begin with an idea such as this? And what is a good camera to start off with doing something like this or am I just dreaming too big at this point?

[coffee]

Welcome to the forum. Yes the course is a great course for beginners. You will earn a lot about what makes for good photos. And the course is a very good value also. You can easily spend much more taking the same course somewhere else.

[eyevan]

Many of us here began with the same experience level as you.I began with very very little.This is one of the best beginner course ive ever seen.When you're done youll have a great deal of knowledge to start your career in photography.Dont miss out on the opportunity,if you really love photography. Sincerely,Eyevan

[dkippen]

I agree with Joseph and Eyevan. Best $$ you can spend for learning. Oh - and welcome to the group.

[ladyups]

A perfect beginning to your trip into photography. Take the course and go from there....you won't be sorry.

Welcome to our little group!

[neonmike]

rachelle, welcome to the group. I thought long and hard before signing up for a course on here. I knew a bit about photography but wasn't sure about how much I knew. I also wasn't that confident in my work.

I can honestly say that after signing up, I've become much more confident in my work. I found out that I knew the theory behind most of the things they teach but I wasn't clear about the actual methods to use. Now I understand how to acheive the effects I want.

I definately stand behind the course.

[trulight]

Rachelle - welcome! I started the course last month. I am pleased so far. I am able to work at my own pace, which has slowed down a bit already! Also, the instructor is very responsive. You can repeat any assignments until you are comfortable with your understanding. It's a great value!

[jodyangel]

hey guys! I will look into this course now after reading the recommendations here!

I am all self taught at this point. But there are some technical things which I feel like I need more know help with. And an online course which I can do at my own pace is Perfect since I work fulltime.

Ok off to read up on the details!

[pearcy]

Hi I am new here and also looking at doing the course and I wondered apart from the current postings are there others out there that have taken the course and have you enjoyed it?

Thanks

Rob

[mj702002]

I am taking it right now and enjoying it!

[jaydi]

Im on assignment 8 and am loving it, I have learnt so much...not just from the course but also from the members and fellow students,

I promise you will not regret taking this course.

[melody]

I have just finished the course and I had found the course very informative. I truly recommend it :)

[pearcy]

Hi Thanks for that I am from Australia what about you?

[pearcy]

HI and thank you all for replying I think I will have to join now.

[amature101]

I have literally started the course yesterday and I'm currently on lesson 3. I have to say I'm very impressed with what i have learned so far. The lessons are detailed but easy to understand and the quizzes at the end off each section are great. I also like the idea of being able to re-do each lesson if you are unhappy with your understanding. You can also print each section if you want for future reference which is awesome!

cheers,
Mick.

[sorted]

Hi

Agree with all comments Enjoy it Love it can't get enough of it.
I feel i have learnt loads already and only on the 3rd Assignment but won't rush on to the next as i now have a lot more Pride and Care of what i am taking and understanding of the Camera. Also the People on the forum are lovely and you get great hints and tips from just reading it.

100% Happy:)

[Kathleen]

Looking into taking the course...so far I like what I hear.:o

[MelGarratt91]

I'm really considering starting the course. Would definately like to know more about the technical parts of photography and how to take a good picture.
Though I think I'll wait to have a new camera, so I can make the most of the course.

Definately need to start saving money!

[srivenkat]

Hi,

I am newly joined this course and know VERY VERy VEry Very little about photography. I have Nikon D5000 with Nikon 18-55mm lens. Is this enough to complete this course assignments?
Advance Thanks for your advise/informations.

-Srini

[mj702002]

Hi Srini, That looks like it would work just fine!:) Enjoy the course- You will learn a lot!! (I am taking it and it is wonderful- I am also very much a beginner!)

[endeavour]

I'm new here and plan to take the course on Thursday when i get my sick money, just hope that i can do it. Being disabled and not able to get out much and with no family it could be very limiting what i take photos off, until my friend comes over in 2011, then we can go places. But this won't stop me enjoying learning about photography, you don't need to go out to do that! Will my Fujipix S1500 be good enough to complete this course, cos i love this little camera to bits, and being in a wheelchair when out it's not bulky to take.

[coffee]

I'm new here and plan to take the course on Thursday when i get my sick money, just hope that i can do it. Being disabled and not able to get out much and with no family it could be very limiting what i take photos off, until my friend comes over in 2011, then we can go places. But this won't stop me enjoying learning about photography, you don't need to go out to do that! Will my Fujipix S1500 be good enough to complete this course, cos i love this little camera to bits, and being in a wheelchair when out it's not bulky to take.

Welcome, and yes, that camera will do great for the course. Shooting photographs doesn't mean you have to be mobile. maybe look into still life. Still life is hard because not only do you still have to take quality shots, but you also have to construct the subject. Most of the time, the subject comes to you, sometimes you have to chance the subject, and in Still Life, you have to be the creator to the entire image. Very challenging. Here is one shot I took last weekend. My studio consist of an ironing board, a stack of boxes, a couple black t-shirts, burning incenses, and a dried rose. Still Life is very rewarding. Good luck with the course and look forward to seeing some of your shots.

[Kaye]

Hi endeavour,

Firstly, a big welcome to the Proud site. I am sure you will enjoy it, and especially if you decide to do the course, I think you will become sort of an expert in no time!

I have not done the course myself, but from what I hear from other Proud members who have done the course, it is apparently extremely good, and also very suitable to beginners as well as the more advanced.
I am sure you will receive some messages from some that have done the course.

I checked out your Fujipix S1500 and in my opinion, you should have no problems with this.

Until your friend comes in 2011, perhaps you have someone who can bring to you some small things to photograph:
eg. small pretty flowers or insects or .....??
You can place these on some coloured board (eg. black/white or other depending upon the subject). Your camera should have a reasonably good "Macro" setting, which means you can take close up shots of small things. I love this sort of photography, and thought you may like to try it.
I hope I have been of some help. Please feel free to respond to this asking whatever you need to ask.

[endeavour]

Thanks for all your comments, i love photography and think i'm rather good, don't know the manual side of a camera though, did do 30 years ago but have forgotten it since.

I do digital scrapbooking and i've been taking loads of my new cat, he's one year old today and we've had him 10 months, so i've got plenty of shots of him.

Most up to March this year were taken with my mobile phone, and please don't knock it, i always believe its the person taking the shots that gets them right or wrong not the equipment, and i've had some great ones with it. Still do if i forget to take my S1500 downstairs, but my mobile is in my pocket.

But i've also took some great shots with my S1500, i'm still learning with it, only got it on auto at the moment not confident to put it on manual or have a clue what the settings would need to be, that's where i hope the course will help me.

Just hope it doesn't get to technical, as it will go straight over my head, as i'm rather thick, and find it hard to take stuff in, but the more i do somethning then it starts to sink in.

Result of a car accident over 30 years ago, i suffered brain injury.

Must say this is a wonderful forum, and you guys have taken some wonderful photos, i'm not good with words, never had much schooling spent most of my childhood in hospital as i've had TB in my hip, so you will have to make do with the words i do put down.

I took some macro of flowers when they were in bloom early this year, and most have come out fine, others are not to bad, will try those ones again next year until i'm happy with them.

I only take photos because i want a memory of what i take, i don't do it for money or competitioms or anything like that, and never will, that's why i love it when my friend takes me places so i can have a record of what that place is like, because i know when i'm back i'll only forget, but if i've the photos they will remind me of a great day.

Sorry for rambling on...

[jerryph]

Most up to March this year were taken with my mobile phone, and please don't knock it, i always believe its the person taking the shots that gets them right or wrong not the equipment, and i've had some great ones with it. Still do if i forget to take my S1500 downstairs, but my mobile is in my pocket.

I sincerely believe that the best camera (no matter what) is the one that is in your hands whenever that special moment arrives... however, there is absolutely no quality comparison possible between a cell phone and a pro dSLR camera, I do not care what brand on either side.

Example - 85mm F/1.4 Nikkor lens and a D700 set to ISO 6400:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3714455487_37dd01d0af.jpg

Equipment does make a huge difference... if it did not, I would be over $15,000 richer... :D :) :D :)

To get back on track, the course offered here is without doubt the best and most reasonable investment one can make in their photography if you are just starting out. Bottom line... this place rocks. :D

[coffee]

The course is structured so that it's geared toward the beginner, and doesn't get so wordy that you can't follow it. Of course though it does cover how shutter, aperture ISO and such all interact with each other and is sometimes hard to follow at first. And if at the beginning you find it hard to follow, like most will think at first, stay with it cause there will come a moment when it hits you all at once and becomes very clear. This is where trial and error, and putting the lessons into practice, as with the assignments come into play. You read the lessons, and you work things out with actually taking shots where you will be required to show you understand the lesson. My instructor here told me to slow down, there is no hurry. He wanted me to take the time I needed to turn in assignments I was thrilled with, instead of just turning something in that squeaks by grade and learning wise.

I wish you the best, and don't forget that this forum is here to talk about photography, bounce ideas off each other, and just help each other generally. Don't be afraid to post your questions if you have any.

[cyprus27]

Hi,


I am beginner. I just love clicking pics. You please share some useful tips with me.

[sorted]

Love every minuite of it and sure you will x:)