How should I begin?

Question

I seem to be very interested in photography. Yet I can't take a picture to save my life. I always go on Flickr and look at some great phototagrephers' pictures. I stay on Flickr for hours sometimes. This is probably the best picture I've ever taken (Pathetic, I know!) http://www.flickr.com/photos/23156252@N00/1692220043/

I'd really love to get better at photography and maybe make it a hobby of mine. Do you think I have a chance of getting beter? lol. I just don't know where and how to start and what camera to start with. I have a regular digital camera now, a Kodak easyshare C613, and I'm guessing I can't start with it, right? What would you recommend me to buy as a beginner? Any other tips are appreciated :)

Thanks in advance!

I'm hating myself for asking this question. lol

Sorry about the two misspellings. They're funny though :P

Thank you, Pooky. I read some of your answers, it seems that you're a great "Phototographer"! He he he.

Wow, wonderful answers. I'm really amazed. Everyone has given me such a great advice(s). It's going to be really hard to pick a best answer :) Thank you so very much everyone.

I'll definitely consider taking photography classes and buying a better camera. But for now, I'll probably settle with what I have as my budget doesn't allow me to be very flexible :P

Answer 1

your camera will work just fine, you just need some better scenes for pictures...try looking for stuff outside that interest you...a river, a forest, waterfall, the lake or ocean, anything that is beautiful to you...outside is best to start off with. i would deffinitely make sure that you don't have something that stands out like something tall right in the middle of the picture...put it off to the side so it doesn't cut the picture in two...make sure you have diagonal lines created in your picture to make it more interesting and the lines will sorta draw your eye to another part of the picture to sort of pull it all together...the main thing is to find something that is beautiful to you and experiment with different angles and lighting to see what looks best and have fun with it.

Answer 2

Dont hate yourself, everyone has to start somewhere. Photography is so in depth and takes years to fully understand, it would be best to take some classes at a college learning annex, or just pick up a few photography books and your camera and start practicing.. I'm sorry I could not get more in depth, but I'll list some things just so you can understand: Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, composition, rule of thirds, lighting, and much more. It takes a lot to fully understand these and put them to use.

As for your camera, one with a manual mode would be best. Kodak does not sit well with real photography, or even just pointing and shooting. Look into film SLR cameras, or if you want a DSLR. With film cameras, look to have a budget for the camera, a lens, and film, and the money to get them developed. For a DSLR look to have a budget of $1,000, but this really it, besides the lens.

For film I would say Nikon, Pentax, or an auto focus Minolta. The reason being, all these brands have lenses that will work with the newer DSLR cameras, if you decide to go that route. I like Nikon's quality, but Pentax and Minolta are supurb as well. Anything really from Nikon's lineup is good, Pentax as well, and Minolta has stunning quality as well. Look into the PENTAX K1000 for a strudy camera, or the Nikon N6006, N8008s, N90, or the F series. The others are good as well. For Minolta, I cannot give exact models, but I've used it before. You cannot go wrong, but you'll have to get a newer auto focus body, since the older lenses will not work on the newer Sony DSLR. If you do not plan to buy a DSLR in the future, go ahead and get the older Minolta's. Also, look into a 50mm f1.8 lens for starters. Add some film, and you're ready to shoot.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Like most things, confidence takes you half-way there. Being self-deprecating can be humorous, but if you're serious about something, lose the shyness.

That's a good photo. (I don't know how the red-eye became blue in this photo, but you can fix it with any photo-editing software.

Want to spend some money and improve your photography? Keep that easyshare and find a community college with a photo class. Two evenings a week and three or four units later, and you and that easyshare will be a team!

FWIW, I like your dog pic. Good color saturation, good focus. And your comments below indicate a good grasp of English. Maybe your photography could be the seasoning for your journalism??

Once you sign up for that class, start a blog- talk about the teacher, the assignments, and your work. Put up some of your pics and write about what you see.

Be well ...

Answer 4

As Antoni said, classes are the best way to learn. You can also learn a lot by reading books about photography. Here are 3 I think will be of benefit. Now 1 of them may seem very dated since it was written BD - Before Digital. However, photography is photography regardless of how you preserve the image. The same rules and principles apply.

"Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition" by George M. Craven

And now 2 for the digital realm.

"Hands-On Digital Photography" by George Schaub

"How Digital Photography Works, Second Edition" by Ron White

The 2 about digital were reviewed in the Dec. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine and you can read the reviews at shutterbug.com.

Its also beneficial to read at least one photography magazine a month. Check the ones your local library has and choose one to subscribe to.

Keep practicing, read & study the Owner's Manual for your camera and keep practicing.

Answer 5

Of course, you can improve.
It isn't the camera that makes the picture. It's the mind of the photographer. You decide what you want the picture to say, and then frame it so that the statement is unmistakable.
Look to your high school or local college for beginner photography courses.
They will set you on the right track.
Margaret Bourke-White shot a world famous picture using the lens out of someone's eyeglasses. She was in a pinch and made do with what was available.

Answer 6

You should join a photography class or club. They can give you great insights and awesome tips that you can't find everywhere. Also, if you want to, as you buy a new camera or walk into a camera store, such as a Best Buy or a Ritz camera store, they can show you some key places to take pictures.

If you have the desire to learn, be determined and GO FOR IT!!!! You can do anything you put your mind to!

Good luck! And if it is your passion, go for it (like I said b4)!

Best wishes to you!

Answer 7

The standard of equipment is not the issue.
To become a better photographer, it is essential to have a creative streak. It helps if you have 'the eye' as a natural gift BUT good photography can be taught.
There is no real need to attend classes or pay fees.
Try this.
Go to www.eyefetch.com
Register.
Post a photo or four.
Own up to being a beginner and state the fact that you would welcome some help.
There are members there who will take you on as a student and guide you through the stages.
Try this guy, who has helped many there:
http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=tikka
Send him a message and ask for some assistance.

Answer 8

If your serious take some classes in photography, I know a very good photographer who uses a simalar camera to you, shes 16 and has learnt so much in 4 months its amazed me.

This is her http://www.flickr.com/photos/13606906@N04/

she is about to study photography at school, but she has learnt alot just by asking questions here and practicing

a

Answer 9

Join a local competitive photo club, they will help you since there are all levels of photographers that remember being were you are now. Give you a lot of input and insight to help you decide the direction you want to go. This is the cheapest way and most comprehensive way, with the only commitment is your spare time and dedication.

Answer 10

Comments from others are great (regarding taking classes, etc.) but if I may, I would like to say that you have a terrific attitude and a wonderful sense of humor.