Where do I begin photography?

Question

I want to take up amateur photography seriously. I live in NYC and i find inspiration around me everyday! But I have an otherwise full time job that will not allow me to take proper courses at least for the next few years...and i cant wait that long! What camera should a beginner like me invest in (the cheaper the better, nothing too fancy), and what software is a good and easy one to work with? Also are there any online tutorials on using light, photography techniques etc, that might be useful? any tips would be appreciated!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Inspiration is a pretty strong motivator! And you mentioned an interest in reading! Almost ALL of the amateur, semi-pro and professional photographes I know started out by reading. I'm going to give you a long list of URLs to check out, some are photography sites that you can see photo galleries but they all have tutorials and/or free lessons that you can read. Secondly, I am going to suggest that you get the most versatile camera you can, NOT the most expensive one, but the best camera for learning; it is a camera that you can grow with and enjoy for a few years, rather than outgrow it in a few months. I am referring to the Nikon N80. You can use this camera totally automatic (it sets the aperture and shutter speed for you with auto focus OR manual focus; semi-auto with EITHER aperture priority OR shutter speed priority, has 3 great metering modes, and many similar features you'll find in more modern cameras! It is built to last, and it is ergonomically built to fit comfortably in your hands. You can get a great deal on this camera at www.keh.com and you can also look for EITHER the Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D or the older and more affordable 35-105mm f/3.5-5.6D-macro (make sure it says either micro OR macro); these are the most versatile lenses made and with great optics for great image detail; you can use these as wide angle (28-35mm), "regular" (45-55mm), portrait (85-90mm), a short telephoto (105mm) or as a macro lens for extreme close photos (of insects, flowers, etc) and the best place to find these lenses at the most affordable prices is: www.keh.com

Here's the list of sites for you to check out; I suggest that you save "bookmark" these so you can always go back to them to read or browse through the photos:
http://www.uscoles.com/fstop.htm
http://www.photosig.com/articles/1227/article
http://www.uscoles.com/fstop.htm
http://www.paragon-press.com/lens/lenchart.htm
http://www.aesthetic-endeavors.com/photo/dof/
http://www.izzyvideo.com/2006/05/07/izzy-video-29-f-stop
http://www.photo.net
http://www.photoSIG.com
http://www.usefilm.com
http://www.flickr.com
http://www.nikon.pixelcritic.com
http://www.treklens.com
http://www.dpreview.com
http://www.popphoto.com
http://www.fotki.com
http://www.betterphoto.com
http://jzportraits.home.att.net/chapter-08.html
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/software/Adobe_digital_workflow/index.htm
http://strobist.blogspot.com/
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/digital-versus-film-resolution.html
http://www.lunacore.com/training/training.htm
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp
http://library.thinkquest.org/25780/
http://www.outdooreyes.com/wildlifephotoindex.php3
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp

IF, however, you're interested in starting off with a digital camera, let me suggest the Nikon D70S with the kit lens, which you can find at a good and affordable price at www.keh.com for a used one at a great price or you can check with www.bhphotovideo (located in NY, Ninth Avenue, by 34th Street) and look for the used camera department.

Alternatively, you can check the Nikon D50 with the kit lens, which is a good entry level camera, at www.bhphotovideo.com (or go to their store on 9th Avenue by 34th Street). They're open Monday thru Friday (closes at 4pm Friday and closed on Saturday) and open on Sundays. Speak with Steve at the used camera shop and ask him questions; tell him that Calico, the short guy with the leather vest and ponytail referred you to him.

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

If you can drop about 5000. dollars on a digital camera you can get pretty close to the crisp photos of an analogue. If you love photography go analogue for now. By the time you have a good grip on f stops and depth of field maybe the digital's will also. I love them both, but until a digital camera can give me what film can I'll keep my analogue handy. Learning photography takes time and yes film. More reason to study hard before opening that shutter. Remember it is the photographer's eye and talent that make a great photo. The camera can help or harm depending on how well you know your gear. I've helped digital owners at indoor events that did not have a clue what shutter speeds were good for. Read photography books until you start blurting out photo mumbo jumbo, then read some more. When you are ready young Jedi master the camera will find you.

Answer 3

If you find inspiration around you wherever you go, then it really doesn't matter how good your camera is. Sometimes the worst camera can make the best picture!

Go to www.joeylawrence.com! Some of his pictures were taken with a 1megapixel camera, of course, now he has upgraded, but some of his stuff is amazing.

I love photography! I have a Holga Lomography 120CFN, a Kodak EasyShare Z710, a really old 35mm Nikon, and a Nikon N70. These are all good cameras and they are not too expensive!

You really don't have to take any classes to begin the steps of being a photgrapher. Some of the best never took classes. Although, it is always good to know what you are doing!

Answer 4

Don't buy a camera yet, you need to know a lot more about how your career will develop before you can make intelligent decision on that. Surely someone [relative or coworker] is willing to give you a camera to use for free. Many have gone to digital and so they should have at least one very nice film camera gathering dust. And if they have a good camera, they might be a great choice for mentoring your efforts now before you can get enrolled in classes. You should be able to get a decent book on technique at the camera store, look for about 200 pages.

Answer 5

If you're going to be serious about Photography, I would buy an old Canon or Nikon 35 mm. Learn your F-stops and apperature openings by getting a good book at Barnes & Noble which you can look at on your own time. You should experiment with lighting (natural & flash); shadows; openings; "bracketing" - which is trying the same photo at different F-stops. Digital is great but so much room to "alter" a photo. Try starting with Black & White - it is very very intense.

Answer 6

there are lots of cameras out there , I recommend nikon , cause that is what i shoot with. The nikon d40 is a new camera released , so is the d80 , the d50 is being seriously reduced in price right now, i use to own one , nice camera
lots of ways to learn via the interent
Here is a few things you can search out via the interent , I wont sit here and put all the www's and all that in you can serach them out yourself :
dpreview
kenrockwell
luminous landscape
thom hogan
stobist , this one is a eblog
nikonians
There are many , many more in my favorites list but this is a good start for you
You can also go to pbase.com and look at others pictures and what camera they used and lens and such
Good luck with it
Tom

Answer 7

GO to THE library. GO to the magazine section. Look up and see if they have a mag on photography. WRITE the EDITOR and look 4 info in side the magazine.

Answer 8

I recommend (if you have the money for it) the Canon Rebel digital. Also, if you're going to be printing these pictures out, get a Canon photo quality printer. They're VERY affordable and print amazing pictures right from your PC.

Answer 9

http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photo-courses.asp?catsearch=BGN

start here