Brand new digital camera user needs advice

[verT]

Hi I'm somewhat of a novice photographer (I've been a point and shoot guy for a long time) and a complete beginer in digital photography. I researched my camera options and settled on the G3 as my choice. Now I am at the point where I've "mastered" the auto settings. I live in the Toronto area and was wondering if anyone knows of a shop that offers a class or two on using the G3. I can learn form the manual but I have always found that hands on instruction produces a quicker learning curve for myself. Any and all help/suggestions is/are greatly appreciated.

[benca1]

Being just a few months ahead of you verT, I can honestly say that the only solution I could find was using the camera and having to tolerate losing a few great shots due to my ignorance. Fortunately, digital provides instant feedback, so it acclerates the time needed to learn the camera.

I'm still learning - there's soooo much - but I'm losing less and less great shots.

If this helps... at all....

[Peter Aczel]

I don't think photography is a science - it is matter of practice. So me too I suggest you making a lot of shots, and the practice will come. Other advice: looking other's photos on the net. For example here is a wonderful link: http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/favorites&page=all

Good practice, good luck!

[verT]

I appreciate the suggestions, I have already taken about 250 pictures just testing various settings and such to see what they do. It's a little overwhelming but as you both said there are several fantastic areas on the internet to help out. This forum being one :)

[benca1]

Oh man, all of the test pictures I took. Between exposure setting (that ev stuff), manipulating the flash brightness, white color, exposure and focus bracketing, ISO, and the typical shutter and aperature factors, and you'll be busy for a long time!

Just yesterday I was learning all I can with the ND filter and timed exposures.

It never ends...

[zoom]

Take heaps of photos, and visit here often, thats the way to learn, I had a film camera that I could never really master due to the cost of developing film, but with a G2 that takes thousands of photos for free i'm now a much better photographer. Still learning more all the time though.

[stingray]

I got a DVD from elite video that goes over all the features in easy to understand manner. I am not much of a manual reader and LIke you I learn visually and by demonstration. They also sell these DVD on ebay, G3 training.

[jglisson73]

vert,

Commit to using P mode instead of Auto. It will get you up to speed pretty quickly. Also, you have control over the most important setting for noise reduction - ISO. Then as you learn more, use Av, Tv, and M.

(I'm still not comfortable with M yet!)

Set the ISO to 50 and let it rip! You can leave everything else on the default settings and it will basically function just like Auto mode...but you have more control if you decide to use it.

Happy Shooting!

John

[matthudd]

vert,

Commit to using P mode instead of Auto. It will get you up to speed pretty quickly. Also, you have control over the most important setting for noise reduction - ISO. Then as you learn more, use Av, Tv, and M.

(I'm still not comfortable with M yet!)

Set the ISO to 50 and let it rip! You can leave everything else on the default settings and it will basically function just like Auto mode...but you have more control if you decide to use it.

Happy Shooting!

John

Heavily agree, mabnual confuses me a little, its still fine to stick to Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority... still gives you creative control over your images..

[Rubi Jane]

I live in the Toronto area and was wondering if anyone knows of a shop that offers a class or two on using the G3.

Check in with Henry's, they may have a class that interests you.
http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PageDisplay?dest=schoolimaging/school.jsp&storeId=10001&page=main

[woffles]

I find the best use from Aperature mode. I might use shutter mode sometimes if I need to stop some action. Find a nice small stream with some good rocks and play with the ND filter and longer exposures to make the water look more like smoke. That's where shutter mode comes into play. I'm playing with two flashes so use manual a lot. Don't be afraid of it. Can't waste any film here. I never use auto and rarely use P (mainly for indoors flash sometimes). I Don't use any of the other "modes" either. Try some of the other options also, focus and exposure bracketing. Make up an assignment for yourself to get a certain kind of picture you like. Play, Play, Play and have fun. Biggest mistake I make sometimes is not checking the settings and having it on something I don't want. Shoot ISO 400 and convert them to black and white and get a film grain look. Try spot metering to keep from blowing out highlights. Just experiment.

[Bryan Bedell]

what's up with all the 2003 threads being revived this week?

: )

[lefturn99]

I was wondering the same thing.