Beginner digital photography?

Question

I am into digital photography. I have my own digital camera. its a Kodak easy share. I plan on going to photography classes winter quarter. Can any one give me hints on how to take better pictures?

Answer 1

Edwin made a point that I had almost forgotten. I, too, remember that first print appearing on the paper in the tray of dektol. In fact, I think in all the time I've spent in a darkroom, I never lost that thrill when almost like magic an image appears on a piece of plain white paper sitting in a tray of developer.

But back to your question. Absolutely take the class and do all the class assignments. If they want you to use a film camera, do so. In my opinion, you will never get a better foundation in photography than learning how to capture the image you want on film.

If you want to get a head start, by all means get some book on photography. Start learning the basics of composition and exposure. How to use depth of field to achieve a specific result. Start to visualize how your finished picture will look and think of how you can achieve that picture with your camera.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Ignore 'Owner_Of_A_Lonely_Car.

Take the photography class, use the 35mm film camera if required, do the darkroom assignments if required (I bet you'll get goosebumps the first time you watch a print "come up" in the developing tray) and actually learn the basics of photography.

IMO too many people think that just buying a digital camera somehow magically transforms them into a photographer. It doesn't. Just pointing a camera at something and releasing the shutter isn't photography. Its taking snapshots. Taking 300, 400 exposures and hoping 20 or 30 will be good enough to keep isn't photography.

A photographer knows about light, f-stops, shutter speeds and ISO.

A photographer visualizes the finished image in his/her mind and then uses their skill and knowledge to make that image.

A photographer knows how to use light to show depth or texture.

A photographer knows how to isolate a subject from its background by using depth of field.

One way to take better photos is to simply slow down. Look at the scene before you. Are there things you don't want in your finished image? Can you eliminate them by moving a few feet to the right or left? What if you knelt down and shot from a lower angle? Would that help the final image? Or maybe by finding a higher vantage point and shooting down? Look at what you have framed in your viewfinder*. Is there a powerline "running through" someone's head? Or a tree or pole "growing" from their head? Is there a piece of litter in the scene? I know, I know. Many people will say "Well you can just Photoshop that out". Sure if you'd rather be having quality time with your computer instead of your camera. Learn to "get it right" in the camera to the very best of your ability.

* I use the term "viewfinder" because I've always used single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. You can do the same looking at your screen.

Answer 3

Too often photography classes (especially the beginner's class) focus on camera (and maybe darkroom). In my opinion, that is the last place (darkroom). That's like learning how to drive by learning how to fix an engine first.

Get some books on classic photographs. I mean the kind with lots of classic photo and no talk about cameras. Study the pictures. Think about how they were done. Think about you would recreate them. At this stage, forget about being creative. Just try to emulate the classics. The reason is because if you get great pictures by accident, then you are not really creating them. This way you have a target image and you can compare what you was with what you got.

Now when you can recreate what you see, then you have mastered the photographic process. Now you need to learn to be creative. Here the rules are simple state but difficult to master.

(1) learn all the rules - you just did this.
(2) break al the rules - purposefully.


ex: You might have learned about the rules of thirds. Break those rules but purposefully. You might have learned to properly focus for sharp image. Break these rules but purposefully.

Good Luck.