Missing Item from Rebel kit!?

[New Shooter]

I recently bought a Canon 300D.

I then spent several hours reading this Forum, the Luminous, etc., and bought three hundred weight of camera mags. I then bought a 17-40 L (wow!) and a 28-235 IS and 420 Ex Flash.

The only problem I still seem to need advice on is where I go and buy some talent? Unfortunately, it wasn't in the kit with the 300D and although the L lens came with a nice bag with string-pull, there just wasn't any skill, creativity or inspiration as part of the warranted deal. I have been back to the retailer and complained (LOUDLY), but they just called security. I tried in vain to explain that in spending the best part of 2 grand on digital SLR kit I thought the pictures would be compositionally imaginative and people would quickly see genius in the making. I sort of assumed that upgrading from an IXUS would bring accolades (if not awards) in the short term.

So, anybody else out there still taking pictures of their thumb? I knew things were going badly when someone pointed out that I was shooting with the lens hood in reverse facing "travel mode" and that I ought not to try to wipe the mirror clean with a dish-cloth and window polish.

I will leave that with with you and hope for some ability and talent to become available soon - maybe on mail order or on-line. Its certainly not in the cool new Crumpler back-pack and the R800 has started to make noises like laughing - I jest not - when I print the results of my fruitless labours.

Enjoy this Forum. I do.

JPD

[CoolToolGuy]

I'm not sure talent can be purchased, but it can be acquired or developed.

Try going to the largest bookstore near you and getting a book or two to start you off. I'm not suggesting 'Digital Photography For Dummies' or the like, although they are helpful for understanding the hardware. Look for books that provide introductory help. I started with a series from Time/Life Books (no longer available), and went through several of them, one by one. Eventually, things started to make sense. Lighting, composition, exposure are all contributing factors to good photography, and there are more. Most times the talent is not the issue, but rather having the knowledge of how to get the desireable image onto the CF card. Even though this is digital photography, the basics of photography are the same, be it film or digital.

If AMAZON.COM is the only large bookstore available to you, start there.

Good luck and good shooting.

Have Fun,

[Harry Settle]

Take your right index finger and "push the button", same rules apply to digital photography as film. The more you shoot and play, the more experience you acquire.

[defordphoto]

First off, welcome to the forum, New Shooter. How refreshing it is to "meet" someone who realizes that a cool, high-tech camera does not automatically make one a great photographer.

Read, read, read. Practice, practice, practice. Search out photos online and study other people's work. Try and duplicate it. Practice, practice, practice. Check out pbase.com and all the public work there.

Hang out at cool forums such as this one and I also recommend Fred Miranda's forum. They have a weekly assignment's forum where (guess what) they have weekly assignments. Try that out, even if you don't post any to the forum to challenge yourself. If you're brave, post photos in the critique are on this forum. You'll be surprised how many people will be willing to help you, but be resilient to constructive criticism.

Did I mention to practice? Above all, have fun.

[Jemmind]

I love your sence of humor! You'll be a fun member of this forum, I know it. if you take pictures half as good as your verbal banter, your pictures must be better than you make them out to be. You are obviously an intelligent person. I can't wait to see your work.

Julie

PS my verbal skills are not as good as yours but I hope you take this in the way I mean it, WELCOME and don't be too critical of yourself.

[Paul_O]

Hi Rick,
I too consider myself fairly new photography (2 years)and didn't quite know what to do with my three thumbs. Our local universities and technical colleges regularly run short courses 2-5 sessions and focus on different technical levels (from where's the on button to creative techniques) and I found them invaluable. As with any short course if you learn and adapt to use 10-20% of what they teach you'd usually be better off. The courses are run by local accomplished photographers and are more than willing to answer "silly" questions and most will provide their email addresses for future contact. By also viewing their work you can see what takes your fancy, find out what you do or don't like and create your own style.
I hope this is of some assistance

Paul

[robertwgross]

The only problem I still seem to need advice on is where I go and buy some talent?

Grasshopper, you have only begun your journey.

---Bob Gross---

[daaaveman]

B&H had some talent for sale but it's on backorder........I'm waiting on it too.

[Andy_T]

NewShooter,

welcome to the forum :wink:

Do what was suggested by the knowledgeable guys in this thread.
Practice and keep your humour!

Best regards,
Andy

[Lamplight]

Don't worry about your 300D kit. My camera also did not come with the talent accessory, and I've yet to figure out where to purchase it. :lol: Occasionally I manage to find a portion of luck someone has thrown out, but even then I often times can't figure out how to use the darn thing. :oops:

Welcome aboard. :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

The Talent accesory can't be purchased.. that's just the rub right there.. oh you can pay for classes and books that will teach you how to find it... but it still can't be bought,. it has to be found.

So where to look.. ?

Out side! Talent is an elusive beast.. it can be found hiding in many places.. I personally spend my time questing for it mostly out in the woods somewhere or on the shore. It leaves "fewmits" behind to give you a trail to follow..

But it can be found in the city too... it's wiley that way..

[c0ntr0lz]

New Shooter welcome to the forum and the 300d club

lots of people say i have the talent for photography but i'm not to sure I agree I fight with getting pix right and every once in a while i'll get a few dead on but that's after there were some 1000 pix taking
sometimes it's not talent, it's know how

what i've been doing is looking for workshops and classes so that i can work around other photographers and see how they do things
i'd suggest doing something like this too

[robertwgross]

"Chance favors the prepared mind."

[Jesper]

Welcome to the forums!

The great thing is that talent doesn't cost you thousands of dollars like the equipment does. It just takes time, practice and patience. 8)

[drisley]

lots of people say i have the talent for photography but i'm not to sure I agree I fight with getting pix right and every once in a while i'll get a few dead on but that's after there were some 1000 pix taking
sometimes it's not talent, it's know how


c0ntr0lz makea a good point. Someone else here once said that the biggest difference they find in their skills as time passes is the number of pictures they keep vs throw away. Pictures that once were "keepers" are now considered trash.

[Mark Kemp]

Do the same thing most of us do

1) Shoot way too many pictures.

2) Claim the occasionally good one as 'talent'

3) Claim that the rest are 'art' and the viewer is too conventional to see it

:lol:

[Cadwell]

:lol: :lol:

Welcome "New Shooter". If you find out where "talent" can be purchased, please drop me a PM. They've just increased my credit card limit (no doubt in the hope that I will spend even MORE with Canon) so I can *probably* afford some ;)

[blinking8s]

i am taking a bunch of film classes in the fall, they wont let me use digital, but the teacher seems to think i am much better than most intro students as it is, if you have the drive to go out and practice, use your imagination, and actually care about what you are doing, then you will find yor talent...err...so i am hoping

[Bruce Hamilton]

Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764518003/qid=1088854430/sr=8-3/ref=pd_ka_3/104-9738957-5801565?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

[danphoto1]

Well it seems that you are on the right track. Charge the battery and put the card in and attach the lens. make sure that the camera works . Point it at the subject and press the little button and be carful not to cut off the head take a lot of photos and examine them after the shoot . There will be some that you like some that you don't.If you can find someone to look at them with you you might find out that there are some that you didn't like that they do. Save the ones that you like. There may be a camera club near you that will share valuble information on how to make better photographs and give you some do's and don'ts. There are courses offered different levels and not that expensive. shoot with a freid that is better than you. Just make the camera see what you want it too and press the button. Some the greatest shots ever are just pure luck. Just go out and enjoy the camera and the gritifaction that it can give you

[Orogeny]

Darn Canon! Maybe if we start a petition, they will include talent in the firmware update that changes our DRebels into 1DMKIIs! :D

Tim

[c0ntr0lz]

i can just see it now
the new eos digital rebel 1200 will flash "NO" in the viewfinder when the pic isn't talent worthy

[Harry Settle]

You know how I can tell that I am becoming a better photographer??? I am making way more mistakes now than I did when I was new at it.

[theoldmoose]

i can just see it now
the new eos digital rebel 1200 will flash "NO" in the viewfinder when the pic isn't talent worthy

Heh. The Polaroid 'Swinger' already beat you in that department. It had a little red checkboard display in the viewfinder that said "YES" when you had the exposure dialed in.

I still have shots I took with that as a teenager, somewhere around here...

[CyberDyneSystems]

i can just see it now
the new eos digital rebel 1200 will flash "NO" in the viewfinder when the pic isn't talent worthy

There is a thread burried somewhere deep in the EOS forum with wish lists for the Camera of the future...

Someone.. I think it was Pekka? Mentioned a Camera that would talk to you :lol:

Photographer lines up shot and half presses the shutter release to engage AF, and.... AI



"It's nice working with you again Commander Bowman,... but do you really think your wife will appreciate you taking this photo of the neighbors 17 year old daughter sunbathing?"

Aaaaaagh! :shock:

[samdring]

Welcome JPD - great place here

Methinks though that we might be mixing talent on the one hand with knowledge and experience on the other. I pick up knowledge here in bucketloads and later experience some of it but the only way I'll ever have talent is to go back to the Old Testament!

[Claire]

Some of my friends have said I've got an eye for photography, but I'm not sure I am talented. Compositionwise I sometimes hit it right, sometimes wrong. To the eyes of family and friends it may look good, but to someone who knows more about it (like you lot), it may look terrible.

I do believe I've got some bit of talent though as I've been into drawing a lot, and I know I am decently talented within that area!

But hey, it's all about practise, practise and hard work.

/Claire

[ron chappel]

Haha,funny. :D
Good to see another odd sense of humour,there are several here :wink:
Unfortunately i can't claim to be funny-as much as i try sometimes.Usually i'm just thought of as odd :shock: :P

[WestFalcon]

New Shooter....Welcome to the forum. It is addicting but cheap and I am on here everyday. You can't ask a question where someone doesn't know the answer. I learned everything that I know about photography by reading and practice but it takes time. Just remember, no matter how much you know, someone on the forum will teach you something. Everyone on this forum learns from others and learning is a life long experience, so none of us ever know it all but our combined knowledge is pretty awesome. If a great buy comes up, you can be sure that one of our "family members" will tell you and save you some money. Unfortunately that information, unlike forum knowedge, may tug a bit at your wallet or purse. Welcome aboard!!!! :D Brian

[Big_B]

You want to buy some talent?? Sure,no problem. Simply send a $3000 cheque (should buy me some nice lenses) to sam@getrichquick.com and I'll handle the rest.

[roanjohn]

Remember...........Talent is just TAENT without the L.

...........joking...............

I suggest looking at big name photographers and thier work. Study how they frame the subjects, be critical of thier style, analyze and compare different artist etc...........take what interest you and try to immitate - its hard.............then when you think you got it down pat - develop your own style :-) yeah??

.............I am in that stage now.

Ro1

[Roach711]

Talent is something you are born with.

Experience is something you achieve through trial & error (mostly error)

I think most of us would consider ourselves "experienced" rather than "talented."

The basics:

Sweat the exposure - learn to read the histogram
Learn the rule of thirds
Focus on the eyes
Be aware of the background - no trees growing out of heads
Don't show others your mistakes
Celebrate the great shots
Learn from the bad shots
Don't take it too seriously

[Aylwin]

I agree. If there's one thing I don't have and will never have, it's talent. Experience can be gained, knowledge learned, and skills developed. If I can get some of those three then I'll be happy.

As for talent, well, I'll just have to rely on technology and the law of averages. With the right equipment and if I shoot enough photos, I'm bound to get at least one or two great shots someday. :)

[Big_B]

Talent is something you are born with.

The basics:

Sweat the exposure - learn to read the histogram
Learn the rule of thirds
Focus on the eyes
Be aware of the background - no trees growing out of heads
Don't show others your mistakes
Celebrate the great shots
Learn from the bad shots
Don't take it too seriously

Good advice

[rick barclay]

Welcome to the club. Want to get better? Buy yourself a flamesuit and
post your pics here and elsewhere for critique. It works.