What books/magazines do you recommend for a novice using a DSLR?

Question

I am about to invest in the Nikon D200 as my first step into the exciting world of amateur photography. Up until now, I've just used a standard digital camera and would like any suggestions on good publications that are worth investing in to educate me.

Answer 1

I'm not a big fan of magazines, not unless you want to catch up on the latest trends. Yeah, even photography has trends... that selective coloring thing for example, where everything is black and white with just a splash of color on the main subject... that's been done to death. Or cropping off the tops of heads in portraits.
Instead, I propose a diabolically clever three part plan. Three things you should do simultaneously:
One: Get old school and read a book on the technical side of things. Learn to appreciate your camera as an instrument. Your new D200 is a fantastic camera and it can accomplish so much. But the fundamentals that were true for film cameras 50 years ago are still true for digital SLRs: bracketing, white balance, the relationship between ISO, aperture and shutter speed, the sunny 16 rule, hyperfocal distance, the zone system... Even a basic understanding of these things will improve the technical side of your photography. I can highly recommend the books 'The Camera' and 'The Negative' by Ansel Adams. These books are ancient but still in print. Then, instead of reading volume 3 of this series ("The Print") learn your way around an editing program. Something like Photoshop Elements.
Two: For the creative side of things, hit the internet and discover who the big names are in you field of photography. Ansel Adams was a master of landscape photography. I'm more into street photography and I can't get enough of Cartier-Bresson and what the Magnum group has become ( http://www.magnumphotos.com ). I also love the work of Doisneau, Winogrand, etc. Visit the photo book section at your library. 'Study' the greats.
Three: The D200 has a shutter life of 100,000 actuations. That's about 55 pictures a day, every day, for five years. Now... if you don't have to repair the shutter within the next THREE years, you're not taking enough pictures!
I use a D200 myself. Here's a link to some stuff I shot with it in Basel last month: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7157077@N02/sets/72157594564130381/
I took 500 pictures that day and weeded it down to about 50. If I were more critical, I'd toss out another 45 and Photoshop the remaining 5. Five great pictures out of 500 taken is about par for the course.

Answer 2

As a first DSLR, I really think that Sony has done the best job of making them easy to use. They also are generally less expensive than their Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Olympus counterparts. My sony a700 which is comparable to a Nikon D300 costs about half as much. But, the thing about choosing a brand, it is a committment. Once you start investing in one brand, you really want to stay with that brand because you already have accessories for it. So you need to really research the pros and cons of each brand to choose one. Go to dpreview and check out the reviews on the cameras and even check out the forums. Visit a camera or electronics store. Because you also need to hold the models in your hands. Feel the grip and see how it sits in your hands. Navigate through the menu and see how you like the user interface. Play with all the buttons. Take a couple of memory cards with you if you have them. Most DSLRs will take either a compact flash, an SD or a memory stick. Make sure the camera is in jpeg and not raw shooting mode because you can't view the raw on your pc without converting them to a different file type first. Snap some pictures with low ISO, and high ISO. Change some settings. Remember that these are display models that hundreds of people have played with and probably banged around too, so don't fault the manufacturer if something is not working anymore. When you get home, put the pictures on your pc and look to see which ones have the better IQ. I bet they will be very similar for comparable models. But this is a lesson in itself. It shows you that the camera isn't what makes a picture better. It is you. The kit lenses that come with most cameras are ok. They are not as bad as some people like to believe. No, a $200 kit lens is not going to be as good as a $2000 lens. If it were no one would buy the $2000 lens. I had only my first 35mm camera body and the kit lens that came with it for three years and never bought another lens for it. I just switched to digital myself and I use the 18-70mm kit lens and a 70-300mm lens I bought for the super-telephoto reach. The alternative that I generally recommend is to get the body only (unless it costs the same as getting it with the kit lens-then why not-and B&H does this a lot) and then get the Tamron 18-250mm lens. It is made for the Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax mounts. It runs $459 at B&H. If you have the money, get the entry level camera body and then this lens. You can get an entry level camera body only (or some with the kit lens) for $500-600 and then the 18-250mm lens for $459 would run you a total of $949-1049. But don't forget about the extras. The camera is going to come with a USB cord, a battery and charger, a manual and software. But you will have to buy a memory card if you don't already have one-and you might want at least two to start with. And you will need some kind of case or bag to protect the camera and lens when you aren't using it. You might want an extra battery so you can always have the extra one charged and ready to go. And a microfiber cloth and a hurricane or rocket style blower to blow any dust from your lens or camera body while shooting. This should be all you need to get started. These accessories should run you about $100-150 depending on the brand and size you want. You should get in the habit of doing a quick clean-up each time you put the camera and lens away so it is clean and ready to go the next time you get it out. And have fun using the camera. That is what really matters.

Answer 3

You don't say what country you are in but if it is the UK I would suggest you read Amateur Photographer each week. it is the best photographic magazine on the UK market. It has many illustrations, most from readers, so you can see what work others produce and what you can aspire to. As to a book, there are now so many (and the technology advances so quickly that they are out-of-date before publication) that I would suggest you go to your nearest big bookstore and browse what is available.

Answer 4

Pratical Photography is a good one.. I think there is also one called Amature Photography. There is a show at the NEC in Birmingham every year called Focus on imaging. It's pretty good, you should take a look next year.

Answer 5

Read the manual that comes with the camera several times over, then practce. practice, practice - it's the only way to gain experience. Don't despair if your photos are not what you expect, I can tell you now the first ones won't be, but you'll get there in the end.

Answer 6

This site contains photography tutorials and courses for you to study at your own pace. https://tr.im/Al4bS

To get started, all you need is a camera, whether it be the latest digital camera or a traditional film-based apparatus!

Read about what is ISO, aperture and exposure. Discover different types of lenses and flash techniques. Explore portrait photography, black and white photography, HDR photography, wedding photography and more.

Answer 7

I've always enjoyed 'Popular Photography' magazine. And if you're into nature photography, "Outdoor Photographer" is a great magazine to read!