New to Photography

[andyf]

Hi there guys

I have in the last few days purchased a new IXUS 400 camera having spokento a few friends i have took the plunge on this camera.

I am new to photography and would really like to get into it as it something i have always wanted to do.

Where do i start i guess is my biggest question?
How do i get the best out of my camera any tips/sites i can visit to get me started in photography?

Hope you can help as we all have to start somewhere

Thanks in Advance

Andy

[iwatkins]

Hi Andy,

Welcome on board. Photography is always something I wanted to do when younger but the cost of developing and printing always kept me away.

I recently joined the digital age and have got right back into it in a big way after searching about and trying different hobbies over the past few years.

Where to start ? Well, you made a good start by arriving here. You will not find a nicer, more friendly bunch of photographers than here. Experiences here range from total novices right up to professional photographers.

I would say have a read through previous posts on the board and use the Search facility for specific questions first. Failing that, ask away. There are no stupid or dumb questions here. :)

There are a lot of sites on the 'net about photography, some good , some bad. However, one I did find recently was on the Agfa site of all places. It has several online "courses" (totally free, jump in where you want) that I think might be useful. Click me here to get there (http://www.agfanet.com/en/cafe/photocourse/cont_index.php3). The Beginners Course is OK but the Classic Course has lots of useful info. even though it is mainly aimed at film users.

Once you start producing shots, post away in the "Share Photos" or (if you are brave) post on "Critique Corner". You will get lots of useful comments and pointers on your shots.

Most of all, enjoy what you are doing and stick with it. :)

Cheers

Ian

[MiG82]

Google (www.google.com) is your friend.
Photography seems to be one of those disciplines which have a lot of useful content on the internet (this isn't always the case) . There are many sites with free tutorials, advice etc.
These are some of the sites that I've had a good look through:
http://www.cliffshade.com/dpfwiw/index.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com

There are many others too. Luminous landscape is a good one to get you sucked in because it has a lot of very nice photos around the place.

And be sure the read the camera manual. Most of the basic questions are answered by it.
Some people say "I can't be bothered, so I'll ask the forum", but they don't seem to realise that a forum isn't a helpdesk with people employed to answer questions.

[andyf]

Have i bought a decent enough camera to start with?

[stoneylonesome]

It looks like you've got a very good camera, you can never go wrong with a Canon :) See Steve's digicam preview.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/s400_pg5.html

you might want to check out this site:
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/IXUS400/index-e.html

here are some other good sites

http://www.photocollege.co.uk/scentre/sc_contents.html

http://www.shortcourses.com

[openspace]

Andy:

Any camera is a decent enough camera to start with. Seriously. Believe it or not, a lot of photography instructors still start their beginning students off with cardboard box pinhole cameras, and for good reason.

All the associated junk of modern photography really can hobble your education, because these things become crutches. A photographer is nothing without an understanding of composition and light. These are the foundations, and all the filters and lenses, bells and whistles aren't going to change that.

So did you pick a good camera? Absolutely. Because at this point, you goal shouldn't be to best Ansel Adams, or to compete with the guy who sold his house to buy an EOS 1Ds and every lens that goes with it. And you don't have to.

Your goal is to focus on developing your vision with your gear. I am a big believer that there are no bad cameras, just a lot of photographers with no eye. In this day and age, there are still professional photographers and artists that successfully sell images taken with pinhole cameras, not because their images are sharp or crisp or they have the fastest lens. In fact, pinhole cameras have no lens. No, they sell because they capture a vision - their vision. Now go and do the same.

For more in pinhole cameras, and to view some amazing galleries, go to http://pinhole.pair.com/.

And welcome to the club! ;)