Right, so i've got the bug...

[Elmo]

...now i need to learn how to do it properly!

What with all the positive feedback for my submitted photo for the competition, i've been thinking about taking photos more seriously. Now, i've got an okay-ish camera, it's got a load of functions i'm scared to play with cos i dunno what to do with them, but i want to get some more decent shots and experiment.

(the photo i submitted was purely fluke and i couldnt repeat the settings again probably lol)

so, basically, where did all you photo buffs learn to do what you do so well? And are there any tips for a complete novice like I who hasnt got a scooby about anything more complicated than macro mode lol?

cheeeeeeeeers luvvies

Fi

[5lab]

personally, i'm a bit of a beginner, but i get a few good shots.

i just see other photos i like and try to replicate em

[shiato storm]

elmo... so glad you've seen the light (sorry for the pun), as far as learning how to do it it might be worth getting a basic photography book just to get the feel for it and understand what all the terms mean. I think the john Hedgecoe ones are ok, or have a look at Lee frost's. if you want to look at some awesome landscape stuff look at joe cornish. you will find LOTS of info thats useful out there in a range of books, and by the same token there'll be some info that - while interesting - won't really help in every book.
if you're really interested pic up a cheap film slr on ebay and have a play...but for now I think its worth messing with your digital until you find it limits your 'experimentation'...then move on up the chain, thats what I'm doing. getting the full use of my slr and little digital, then I'll go up to a dSLR. and there's a difference between knowing what the camera can do and it limiting you, so I'd also suggest you try out al the functions on your camera and see what they can do - I added a bit in the sticky on basic camera operation...shutter speed/iso/apperture etc. hope that helps. I forget which camera it is you have, remind me.

...just go play and you'll see what functions do what and how each affects the out come, then you'll have a good idea what works in varying situations. oh and another tip, learn to anticipate, view your surroundings and see what stands out, maybe its really mundane - make it intersting. given your entry to the compo you've clearly got a good eye - and luck on your side. all I can say is take pictures of things that interest you or stand out, even the utterly bizaare or funny come across well...

lastly if you find yourself prefering one type of photography over another e.g. landscapes or sports/action etc, then start improving your technique in that area and again what works well etc... you can really do so much - its just up to what you decide to take pictures of!

[IBM]

I was just about to suggest a good camera/photography forum..but then thought that's what we've got here, so what's the point.

Give me a while and I'll try to think of some of the better tips and tricks I've been told..I was sad to hear that you didn't know how you got your entry shot, 'cause I'd kill for that level of exposure. Was the train moving btw?

Here's the basics...

1) Practise makes perfect (using a digital camera is the best way to do this. I know several people who wanted to start on film photography, went out and bought a digital camera, took several thousand shots to get their eye in, and then switched to film).

2) All you need is light. With the right kind of light, just about anything makes a good picture, as long as you've got a good eye for....

3) Composition. Just about everyone swears by the rule of thirds. While there are exceptions to this, you should try to position you subject in one third of the picture, and leave the other two thirds for the setting. I'd explain it further, but there are plenty of results through googola http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Rul...en-US:official
if you want to read up further...

Good luck

[shiato storm]

rule of thirds, rule of turds! rules are there to be broken!
i believe rule of thirds is about whats pleasing to the eye/brain...keeping to the rule of thirds means there's your subject in one place and its environment in the rest of it. basically putting your subject in perspective with the rest of its world and keeping it in its place.

[Elmo]

Thanks guys! you're all stars!

Shiato: it's a Kodak DX4900 i've got. Talking about the sticky you've done, is there any chance you could make a seperate sticky for JUST the camera settings etc? cos at the mo that sticky is soooooooo long and to my tired eyes it just looks like a jumble lol But I shall take a lookie soon! I think my eye for good photos is getting better. I see myself sometimes seeing things whilst on the bus or walking along the street etc that i want to take a photo of but haven't got my camera with me at the time lol. I'll see if i can get my hands on a couple of the books you mentioned

ibm: Yes, the train was indeed moving. I was surprised the photo was so clear considering that, but i think i had it zoomed in a bit so it's only the bottom of the photo that looks blurry a bit.

I've been having a look on digi-darkroom for more info etc too, but a lot of it is for people with SLRs and lenses etc and i just get confused lol


Anyway, cheers people, keep the tips coming, they're all very helpful!

<p.s. Oh and i've started a DA account to post some of my better photos, you've probably all seen them already, but what the hey! clicky!

[shiato storm]

i can't 'make' stickys...I'm just a lowely user-type person...not a mod

digi-darkroom is great, I'm there too. the guys there are really nice and friendly don't be afraid to ask anything...after all thats how we learn. I'm never afraind of asking stupid questions...well, within reason!!

I'll see what I can do about drumming up a simple camera operation thread...which may become a sticky if people nudge a few mods.... its fairly generic across all digi-cams so shouldn't be too hard to knock up.

[Elmo]

yay cheers! hehe i keep forgetting u're not a mod (yet! - i'm quite confident that after the 30 days you will become one!) but yeah, a thread with some concise info on generic camera workings would be good fankoooo!

[shiato storm]

me a mod...? um...erk! i'm happy the way things are. maybe a mini-mod just for in here to make the odd sticky or sort out the photo challenge things, either way i'm not too bothered, think there's lots around already. but flattered for the thought!

p.s. PM'd you elmo, maybe useful?

[Matt1eD]

Originally Posted by shiato storm

WHAT SHIATO SAID

I seriously second getting a film SLR or ebay, also try shooting in B+W on that - get some great results. I develop my own (most B+W shot on Pan Ilford 400 - good allrounder) and that can yield great results if you spend alot of time in the darkroom.

Most importantly enjoy it.

[IBM]

Originally Posted by shiato storm

rule of thirds, rule of turds! rules are there to be broken!
i believe rule of thirds is about whats pleasing to the eye/brain...keeping to the rule of thirds means there's your subject in one place and its environment in the rest of it. basically putting your subject in perspective with the rest of its world and keeping it in its place.

I did say there were exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, with a person just starting in photography, using the rule of thirds is an excellent way to develop an eye for how pictures can be arranged to return the best result.

And while plenty of renowned photographers have proved that rule of thirds doesn't always give the best result, as a general rule of thumb for those less experienced it's a very good basic principle to have in your arsenal.

Dissing a concept which has proved time and time again to be reliable, and which provides outstanding pics, in both scenic and portrait shots, is a bit daft. For someone of your experience it's easy to abandon the basics, but it's akin to saying 'forget learning about exposure, depth of field, and lighting, just do what you feel, and pray that your picture comes out'...

[shiato storm]

alright alright, I guess what I wanted to say was there are 'rules' in the loses sense of the word that can be followed to give very good results. but then you shouldn't limit yourself to thinking 'this over here, that over there, is it roughly in thirds..?'
be inventive is basically what its about.

[IBM]

kudos

[da_ging]

Right, so i've got the bug...

you've got the bug see my sig i got the bug literally

i think the best thing to do is just play about , basically thats the easiest way of seeing what this does and what that does etc etc and there are plenty of basic guides to the basic functions of your camera on the net which will help you understand what they are for

[noah]

i found a great link on another forum with loads of tips and tutorials, theyre more aimed at the dSLR user, but im sure you could adapt them easy enough as long as you have aperture and/or shutter control .they can be found here

you've clearly got a good eye for it all so it shouldnt be long before you're getting more consistant results.

i agree with shiato, the rules arent hard and fast but i find they are often good for inspiration when you get stuck.

[Matt1eD]

Good site noah