Hopeful Photographer Needs Pointers And Help?

Question

Hi, I am thinking about taking up photography, and have no professional training whatsoever. Naturally, I have more than a few questions about how to get started. I'm interested in taking crisp, clean, primarily black and white photos, but have no idea what kind of camera to get? And what's the advantages and drawbacks to film versus digital? I don't have room or money for a darkroom of any sorts, and taking them to a WalGreens or something to get developed isn't really cool, so what are my options? Can I get a decent camera at a store like WalMart, or should I look for a more specialty kind of store? Any helpful websites I should look into? Is it necessary to take classes, or should I see if I have any amount of talent first? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I suggest you first take a photography class at your local high school or community college. You'll probably have to buy a 35mm film camera but fortunately they are cheap these days. You can find 35mm film cameras at keh.com, bhphotovideo.com, ebay.

The class will give you knowledge of f-stops, shutter speeds, ISO and light. You'll learn the "Rules of Composition" and how to apply them. You'll learn to process and print the film you shoot. You'll begin to find the type of photography you like - people, landscapes, etc.

Once you're grounded in these basics you'll be more knowledgeable about what type of camera to buy and what lenses you'll need for the type of photography you like.

After all, you wouldn't buy a car if you couldn't drive, would you?

IMO, when and if you decide to buy a new camera, you should buy from a real camera store - not a store that sells 10,001 other things and cameras. The salesperson at a real camera store is trained and knowledgeable about every camera they sell. They can explain the features and benefits of different cameras. They'll be there to answer your questions, help solve problems and offer intelligent advice. Some camera stores even offer a one or two hour "hands on" course in using your new camera. Try getting that kind of service at Wal-Mart or over the internet. Try asking questions with a CSR in India or Bangladesh or Taiwan. Good luck with that.

Although I continue to use film and will as long as its available, you'll probably want to go digital. Digital offers "instant gratification" since you can view your images immediately. With film you have to wait a whole hour at the lab. Obviously digital is cheaper - I spend $9.99 to have a roll of 36 exposure film processed and printed to 4x6 size. There is more support for digital since it has the majority of the market. I belong to Analog Photography Users Group (apug.org) .

IMO some people seem to think a digital camera is somehow "magical" - buying one makes them a photographer. Knowing about f-stops and shutter speeds and ISO and light and composition makes you a photographer - not the camera you use. Look at some of the questions asked in here: "I need a really good digital camera that takes great pictures at night without flash." Sorry but that camera doesn't exist unless you want a specialized night surveillance camera and enjoy green images. Successfully taking night photos requires a certain skill and knowledge.

Good luck and hope you join the ranks of those who enjoy this fascinating, frustrating hobby of photography.

Answer 2

Whew, what a loaded question!

With the advent of digital imagery, everyone is now a professional photographer. There are so many people who think they can take good photographs but really can't.

If you are serious about making this a career choice, become educated. Learn how to use a digital camera, learn Photo Shop, study the old master painters and learn how to see light. Art classes will help too, learn composition, color harmony, presentation. If you will be a portarit photographer you will need to learn posing and how to work with your subject, different techniques are used when photographing children and adults.

You will need to learn how to "run" the business too. Business and marketing classses are just as important as photography classes, actually more important.

Search the internet for photography schools. Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, CA is an excellent school. Keep in mind that you can learn the "technical' aspects of photography, but to be a really good photographer you will need to be creative too.

Photography isn't the best career option if you don't have money to purchase equipment. You can manage without lighting equipment, however you will need a good digital camera, computer and high speed internet connection.

You should purchase your camera at a specialty store. Calumet is a good place to start. You might find a local camera store that handles professional equipment. These people are much more skilled with the use of digital equipment and will be there for you when your equpment fails or you have questions.

You are right, Walgreen's isn't a "cool" place to have your images printed. Professional color labs are located across the country for you to have your images printed. The images can be ordered via the internet and they will send you the finished photographs. Professional color labs have higher end equipment and tighter tollerances, your images will look better.

The mechanics of using a camera can be learned. Your ablility to be creative is what will make your images stand out in a croud of photographers. Remember to practice, practice, practice.

Good Luck
Steve
www.theahrensimage.com