I am interested in photography and am looking at classes I can take on my days off or books I could read. Anything!
2007-10-04 20:38:11 · 6 answers · asked by lifesong0622 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
1. You should learn the technical aspects of photography and your camera (composition, shutter speed, rules of thirds, depth of field etc), once you understand these you will be able to create better images.
2. Shoot in "M" (manual mode) because you will have more control over your camera and not the other way around. When you are in one of the "Auto" modes the camera will just read the highlights and shadow areas and try to get you a picture. The camera is not smart enough to know what you are shooting.
3. You can start reading all kinds of books on this subject and get information from the internet. This includes web based classes, manufactures web sites to personal blogs.
4. Buy the best DSLR camera that you can afford this also includes good lenses. Take out your camera and manual sit down and go over all the buttons and knobs etc.. this is the best way for you to learn what your camera can do.
5. Start shooting with your camera to get practice and from what you are learning from reading and doing you will get better. Practice does make perfect. Take notes while shooting and then look at your photos on the computer find the best one from that set and see what you did to get the shot and why you like it more than the others.
6. You can get yourself a job as a photographers assistant (be it payed or free) and learn from that person.
7. My suggestion is to find a part of photography that you would have an interest in and point in that direction and specialize. You will try to produce a better image of that subject opposed to just "having" to shoot it.
8. Areas of photography include portraits, wedding, product, nature, travel, fine art and journalism. Some of these career fields require a studio with special lighting others do not but require different lenses and other equipment and techniques.
Since you have access to the internet here is a start: Some you have to pay for and some are free.. start with the free stuff of course.
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/......
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp......
http://www.shootsmarter.com/
http://www.webphotoschool.com/
http://www.lexar.com/dp/index.html?cmp=e...
Studio Lighting info
http://www.studiolighting.net/portrait-lighting-styles/
Photoshop classes
http://www.russellbrown.com/
Hope this helps,
Kevin
2007-10-05 02:02:11 · answer #1 · answered by nikonfotos100 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The New York Institute of Photography (nyip.com) offers correspondence courses. They've been in business since 1910 so they are reputable.
Search ebay and amazon for a copy of "Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition" by George M. Craven. Although written before digital, its still an excellent guide.
2007-10-04 22:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shift to digital has turned pro-quality film cameras into throw-aways. The best advice I can give is for you to go to a second-hand shop and look for a Canon, Pentax, Minolta, Ricoh or Nikon camera. Choose a Single Lens Reflex camera with manual controls and interchangeable lenses and there is little you can't learn to do. The standard for any camera class was always a basic SLR with manual controls - but they were never so cheap as they are today. If you don't have a second-hand shop nearby, you can try an on-line auction site, but it may cost a little more and you won't have the chance to try before you buy.
2016-05-21 05:59:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally take photography classes online with some of the best photographers in the world. BetterPhoto.com is an excellent site for free photos of the day emails, newsletters, blogs, articles, photo clubs, monthly contests, and you can even get your own photo gallery that will hold up to 30 photos.
There are tons of online classes to choose from, and payment plans can be used. Please keep in mind that nothing of high quality is going to be cheap. But it doesn't cost anything to check out these sites.
I have learned so much from other photographers on this site, which is user-friendly. Check it out at:
www.betterphoto.com
My own photo gallery on this site can be seen at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/gallery.asp?memberID=196745
The good thing about these classes is that you can work at the weekly assignment at your own pace, as well as the feedback from top notch photographers. Have fun with it!
2007-10-04 23:38:40 · answer #4 · answered by Ruth Boaz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two very good sources in most communities are the community colleges, which, in California, charge on a per unit basis (about $15 per unit, most classes being three units) or, local recreation programs, some of which have their own darkrooms or use those of some local schools..
2007-10-05 08:37:55 · answer #5 · answered by Vince M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.betterphoto.com
For books, go to the local library and get every book on photography that you can find. read, digest, and practice the principles they have.
2007-10-05 00:16:01 · answer #6 · answered by gryphon1911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋