new photographer hobby advice

[bigbird0305]

I have taken pics of sports in the past during college for a newspaper. Basically i just held the trigger down and hoped for the best with my film camera and luckely managed to get a few decent shots each game. I am looking at getting a canon 30 d with two good lenses to start with. However, I am wondering if i should just keep reading books to learn more about digital cameras or just go ahead and bite the bullet. I feel if I were to rate myself as photographer right now I would be well below average. I love it but not all that good. Oh, by the way I am use a nikon point and shoot right now which i cannot stand the lag time... Any suggestions please.

[Wilt]

Take an intro course at a community college, or one offered by a local parks and recreation department. Or if that is not an option to attend, you could go into the bookstore for a community college and buy the text that is used by an Intro to Photography class. I suggest that approach because such texts are high quality in content. Some of what you find in retail bookstores is written by well-meaning but narrow perspective authors. At least with college texts you know their quality of content is endorsed by the instructors of college level classes!

I saw an excellent book that my son-in-law has, and was extremely impressed with the comprehensive coverage of photography. It was his text book for a class he had taken while in college! I covered a diverse range of subtopics.

[bobinatcat]

Hmmm yeah good idea, looking into it first. really depends on how much you are going to spend...

i bought a camera first and have been learning since...admittedly i only bought it for holiday snaps but it has definitely evolvedinto a hobby.

anywho point being if its not too much and you enjoy it...go for it

[John_B]

bigbird0305,
I say bite the bullet :)
Then while you are waiting for delivery go to your local library to pick up a few books about digital and browse through the forums here. :)
After all you do have some 35mm SLR experience (plus digital P&S experience) so you have a good starting point. You also have one thing that is needed! You love photography, the real fuel :)
Good Luck with your choice :)