How did you start??

[ubhystry]

I'd like to hear from everyone here who has the passion to adjust focus and click the shutter. How did you get started in this hobby?? I say hobby because those of you who feed you or your family most likely had no idea this would become your craft. Secondly how did/are you refining your skills?? are you self taught through trial and error or have you taken courses either on-line or classes to improve your skills?? Myself I've gathered most of my limited knowledge through trial and error and many great books and this community has also helped me greatly... Come on people let me hear from you...

[jsinon]

I was originally looking for a used dslr to use with my telescope. Then I realized/remembered that for the longest time my hunting interests have been turning more towards the thought, as I'm standing waste deep in a beaver pond waiting for the duck to start coming in and legal shooting light, "this would make an awesome picture." One thing led to another and after selling a few of my guns, and my telescope to finance my 40D and two "L's" I'm pursuing a long neglected interest in wildlife, nature, landscape photography. I guess now I'm just hunting with a different "weapon";)

[Nistelrooydude]

Let's see: I took an intro film photography class in the summer...I liked it. I took a photog class in school the next year...I liked it more. I became the photographer for my middle school newspaper...I liked it more. I got a Digital Rebel XT with my Bar Mitzvah money...I liked it more. I can keep going if you want. ;)

[Gentleman Villain]

I took a photo class my senior year in high school because it was an easy A

My partner in the lab was a cheerleader named Courtney. She used to rub her boobs up against me while we were making prints. I think that's probably when I first started taking a serious interest in photography.

[ubhystry]

Or Courtney!! did you marry the young lady???

[TerryLP]

My first real exposure to photography was back in 1975. I was working for the Sheriff's Office and was assigned to go to Evidence Technician School. We received a course in photography and were issued our cameras to take crime scene photos. The cameras that we were given were old Graflex Cameras. They were totally manual. We had to make every setting and adjustment, and they used flash bulbs. Through the years I have had many interests and hobbies, but none have kept my interest, or given me as much pleasure as photography.

[tstowe]

I've been teaching Photoshop since '97...'98? I became the yearbook advisor for my school about five years ago. I went from a Powershot G5, to the original Digital Rebel, then a 20D. This was during the first year. I was doing photo restoration on the side for a photographer with a framing studio. He downsized his studio and I was able to pick up some of his older (but still in good shape) equipment...a tripod for a medium format camera, three bogen monolights, a portable backdrop system, etc.

I've set up a website and I actually sell a photo or two, now and then. I'm going to shoot a big-time wedding in Charleston in September and I'm saving for a used 1D Mark II N.

Life is good.

[quackaddict]

I was originally looking for a used dslr to use with my telescope. Then I realized/remembered that for the longest time my hunting interests have been turning more towards the thought, as I'm standing waste deep in a beaver pond waiting for the duck to start coming in and legal shooting light, "this would make an awesome picture." One thing led to another and after selling a few of my guns, and my telescope to finance my 40D and two "L's" I'm pursuing a long neglected interest in wildlife, nature, landscape photography. I guess now I'm just hunting with a different "weapon";)


I am very new to the DSLR game but jsinons reasons are close to mine. There are so many things you get to see in nature that you just stand there and go, gosh, wish i had a camera. Point and shoots work but getting great images of sunrises, the guys around you and, of the animals I pursue were sometimes not possible. So here I am reading every day, picking things up and taking a ton of pictures in the process!

[Citizensmith]

Got given a Konica range finder camera as a hand me down when I was 12. That was 24 years ago, been taking photos ever since. It's not my profession, but I do get regularly paid for it too.

[PhotosGuy]

How did you start?? That would make a great title for a thread, wouldn't it?
"How did you get started" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=174508) "...for professionals and aspiring pros alike."

How do I get started? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=517170)- Nature shots

What has the evolution of your photography cycle been like? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=420938)

Advertising - how to Start (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=357487)

See the .pdf link: Some Ideas for Creating Work and Getting Clients for Your New Photography Business (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4947428&postcount=15)

How did you become a pro (or semi-pro)? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41194)

So you want to be a photographer? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=544289)

[timbop]

I took a class back in college, and really enjoyed it. At that time I had an albinar, which was relabelled pentax k-mount. I had a good time, but when I lost access to the darkroom after the class was over my interest waned. It just wasn't the same just sending out film and waiting weeks to get back 4x6's. About 4 years ago I got an original digital rebel, and loved being able to get the immediate feedback as well as the ability to actually process my shots again. I also happened to be friends with someone whose husband is a wedding photographer, and latched on to an apprenticeship 2 years ago. I do maybe 12 to 15 weddings a year now, and make enough to fund my gear. It's been great, and I've learned a lot from him - but probably just as much on my own by reading and experimenting.

[DStanic]

In the past I had a mild interest in 35mm SLRs (fully manual) but film never caught on to me as a full time hobby..

A couple years ago I bought a Sony cybershot H5 superzoom (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyh5/) and got the telephoto and closeup attachments. This is when I started learning about the fundamentals of photography until I realized the camera had it's limits. A year later I traded it in and got my Rebel XTi.

[mrfixitx]

I got started because I had an interest in photography and was amazed by some of the photos I had seen and wanted to be able to create art on my own. I also got into it because I wanted a challenging hobby that would get me out of rut and challenge me creatively.

I started with a Canon A80 after upgrading form a PoS kodak P&S. From there about 3 1/2 years ago I got my Rebel XT and loved it. Still using it today and looking back its amazing how much I have grown as a photographer, but I still feel I have so much to learn.

I have attended a few photography classes, the rest has been through reading online, and a lot of trial and error.

I certainly think photography is one of those hobbies where there is always something new to learn, or something new to try. I dont see myself getting tired of it anytime soon.

[garymercer]

I had an Olympus Trip when I was a kid. Did some photos with it then never really bothered. Computers took over my life then in May 2008 I got my Powershot A590IS and really wanted to get into this photography lark.

Thoroughly enjoyed my time ever since and found I have so much to learn. Roll forward to End of September 2008 and I had done a load of overtime at work so I decided to get my 50D, lenses, tripd etc..

Still cannot take a half decent photo :D

[bsaber]

Photography runs in the family (well males at least). I fell in love with photography sophomore year of high school when I "had" to join yearbook as an elective. Uncle gave his AE-1 for me to use and just loved it every since. After high school I kind of lost the passion because of something that happened in yearbook but got it back about 2 years ago. And it's here to stay this time

[les_au]

over time i have been given a couple of film based camera's first was the old instant polaroid. i think it's still home at my parents places to this day. i have always like photograpy for the fact it recorded holidays etc. when i got my g5 the real interested kicked in as it eliminated the cost of film. also with my current XS it allows me an outlet for the pressures of work at time. even if the shots don't come out as expected it's a case of taking your mind off things

[dave kadolph]

I started doing yearbook photography in 1975. Was dissatisfied with the results of the cheap equipment so I bought my first SLR in 1976--a Minolta SRT 101.

Our school had it's own darkroom so I started processing and printing my own film shortly to get the results I needed--The children of the digital age that complain about noise or "processing" time need to spend a little time doing this--IMHO.

Worked a little in the business during the college years--but then family and career took up all my free time.

Fast forward to 2006--shooting with an XT during my daughters sporting events--and got a call from a friend asking to shoot as his second at a charity golf tournament--the pro photog was participating in the event--no need to bring your gear as the pro won't be using his.

A day with a 1 series and a 300 f2.8 was all it took ;)

[MJPhotos24]

I was the idiot with a camera in high school at times, wanted to take a photography class as a senior but the teacher got pregnant and the class was canceled because the long term sub had no clue what she was doing (oh how I disliked that crazy lady).

Graduation from my first college got a kit (film of course) and started shooting for myself at games. Learned from a complete idiot that did more harm than good - both in the photography skills department and legality and business end. The GM of the team wanted to get rid of him so asked me about shooting for the team. They phased the other guy out and phased me in. Took time to learn and then contacted companies to shoot for them and they also phased that guy out until just snowballing into a business. Each year keep growing...

[kevinbt]

I got my first DSLR for my 17th birthday. It was a Canon XTi. It might have been my cousins who introduced photography to me, but I'm not too sure. After I got my XTi, I sort of fell in love with it. Sadly, it was stolen when my brother's car got broken into. However, I have recently upgraded to a 40D. :D I am now starting to take photography a little more seriously.

[lauderdalems]

Taught myself how to develop B/W in a wet lab in 1970 using a local college setup. From there I was offered a photography scholarship to a 4 year college. Now I'm retired (from gov't non-photography work) and back at the same college as their sports photographer.

[NicolasRubio]

My father used to own a photo shop back in the 90s (developing, printing, wedding shoots, etc) and he also had an SLR. Although I was only 5-7 years old, I felt an attraction to it that was later put to rest when my father left the business.

It was then in November 5th 2005 during the IV Summit of the Americas that I got ramp access to my local international airport to see the USAF's "Air Force One" (plane junkie here!). I was using a friends crappy Samsung 3.2mp camera which I used to get some HORRIBLE QUALITY shots.

After some days I tried to upload that shot to an aviation photography database with very high standards (Airliners.NET). Of course all those pictures where rejected and that encouraged me to improve. Fortunately two weeks after that, my father bought our first compact-digital camera (a Nikon Coolpix 5600 which I still use), and I started shooting airplanes. I got 102 pictures into Airliners.NET with that camera, and in the meantime, I started shooting film with my father's Canon EOS 500N + EF 28-80mm.

Due to the frustration of not being able to afford a DSLR and being fed up of poor results with my SLR, I put photography back to rest, again.

Nearly two years after that (mid-2008 ), I saw the opportunity to get a DSLR and I started lurking the forums again, etc. Besides, my best friend started flying and I was his co-pilot in every flight, therefore I was always shooting.

Finally, on December 30th I arrived in New York at 4am and I waited until 9am for B&H to open. Two hours later I was sitting at a table in Skylight Diner, just across 9th Avenue with my first DSLR.

I spent the next 20 days in NY, Boston and Washington where I took 2500+ pictures. I am now learning digital and getting used to my camera. I hope I never leave this hobby as I really like it.

Regarding my learning process, I learnt 95% of what I know by reading forums, etc on the Internet, 4% by trial and error and the remaining 1% by reading Understanding Exposure.

I will buy some more books and continue learning, for ever and ever.

PS: SORRY, IT IS QUITE LONG!

[yogestee]

I bought my first SLR in 1974.. Got a job in the photographic unit of a large iron & steel plant in 1978,,dept head in 1985 (if I remember correctly).. Self employed from November 1986 shooting Commercial, Industrial and Advertising until August 1990 when I got a job at a newspaper.. Worked at the newspaper until July 2007 when I retired from professional photography.. I'm now an ESL teacher here in Laos although I do a bit of commercial and magazine work here..

In nearly 30 years behind the camera I've made a damn good living from photography..

[number six]

I took a photo class my senior year in high school because it was an easy A

My partner in the lab was a cheerleader named Courtney. She used to rub her boobs up against me while we were making prints. I think that's probably when I first started taking a serious interest in photography.


Taught myself how to develop B/W in a wet lap in 1970 using a local college setup.

Geez. You guys had all the fun!

:lol:

[lauderdalems]

number six - the best part was the school paid for everything - cameras, film, paper, chemicals and plenty of would-be models. They even got me a roll of seamless paper. Those were the days...

[number six]

number six - the best part was the school paid for everything - cameras, film, paper, chemicals and plenty of would-be models. They even got me a roll of seamless paper. Those were the days...

Well, I'll admit I had a wet lap a few times - but that was mostly in high school...

:lol:

[DannyLongIsland]

My father was always into photography, and early on in his and my mothers marriage he had acquired quite a bit of equipment. When I got into BMX I started taking some of his stuff. He gave me his old yashica body and 7 or 8 lenses. He also had all the equipment for a dark room (enlarger, lights, timer, pans, everything) We had a spare small room (closet) in my basement that I turned into a darkroom. Took photo in H.S., majored in it for one year of college and left. Almost 10 years later I am back trying to learn digital.

[nicksan]

While I've always enjoyed taking photos, and enjoyed the "arts" in general, particularly as a long-time musician, it was fairly recently that I picked up something more advanced than a P&S.
A few years ago, a co-worker was selling his 300D for cheap, so I bought that and the 18-55 kit lens from him. Within a week, I bought a 50 1.8, and that really got me hooked. Once I got my dirty little hands on a 20D, 17-55 IS, and a 70-200 lens, it was all over! So much so, that music takes a back seat to photography these days.

It's weird. I've been a musician for over 20 years, but it's like I found my true calling with photography. Not sure what happened...but I am sure enjoying the heck out of it!

I've also had the benefit of having folks around me that have gone to school and learned about this stuff. I would pick their minds, etc. Due to my music background, it was pretty easy to relate to them and they treated me with some level of respect...

I also did some reading. I kept that part to a minimum and really just listened to my mind and started shooting. Just go out there, try to visualize, at the same time not to force it just for the sake of getting a shot...let it come naturally...something I learned from my music days.

I'll sample lots of pics online. Figure out why a particular photo intrigues me, etc...and try to learn from them. That's really the extent of my "studying".

Folks have seen some of my photos, and I've been asked to shoot concerts, sports events, etc...I do it all for free and it's so much fun!

[BadFoto]

I borrowed my dads 350D when my wife and i went on holidays, loving nature and everything about it i wanted to capture it. I started of with a 400D, which i recently sold to my dad and bought a 50D and love it even more. At the moment i learn through awsome forums like this, the internet in general and books. when i have time i plan to do a course and try to fund my hobby.

[ralff]

Back in the 70's I helped a friend build a darkroom in his basement, then watched him develope a print when it was finished, I was HOOKED. Really appreciated digital, much better than sitting in the dark with a bunch of smelly chemicals agitating a tank of film every few minutes. :D

[fly my pretties]

I was walking past jessops about 9 weeks ago when I saw a 450d going with a lens for 350 quid after cashback. I bought it and haven't looked back since. 3 weeks ago I upgraded to a 50d and some L Glass. I've quit my other job and become a full time photographer. Well and truly bitten by the photography bug.

[_aravena]

Photography or the business of it? I started photography in Italy. Such an amazing place I went through more disposables than a tourist at Disney 100 times. I loved taking photos and once back in the states my parents got me a Minolta SLR. I loved that thing an went through roll after roll after roll after roll of film. Used it everywhere and was the yearbook photographer shooting almost every event, mainly because I was the only one with an SLR. Everyone had their digital P&S. Before college, I got my Rebel XT as a present. :D

As a business, total accident. :D

[SkipD]

Here is an old thread containing answers to the very same question:

What started you? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=378508&highlight=England+Army)

My story is in there.

Moderators - how about combining the threads?

[Here and There]

I started having an interest in photography when I started cycling in 2006. There was one bike path in particular right along the bay where there are plenty of shore birds and I'd often stop and get a quick snapshot of the birds.

Fast forward a couple years and I bought an S5. For the photography I like (flowers/plants, landscapes, birds) the S5 did ok. I had a telephoto conversion lens on the S5, but was still frustrated by the lack of range for birding and the lack of a wide angle was also frustrating at times. Loved the macro on that camera though.

Fast forward to January of this year and I purchased an xsi w/2 kit lenses. My primary goals when I bought the xsi were to get a nice long range lens for birding and to go wide! I've already met one goal, purchasing the tokina 12-24 today and if all goes well I'll purchase the 400 f5.6 next month. This is addicting, seriously, seriously addicting. :D

[AxxisPhoto]

I'd like to hear from everyone here who has the passion to adjust focus and click the shutter. How did you get started in this hobby?? I say hobby because those of you who feed you or your family most likely had no idea this would become your craft. Secondly how did/are you refining your skills?? are you self taught through trial and error or have you taken courses either on-line or classes to improve your skills?? Myself I've gathered most of my limited knowledge through trial and error and many great books and this community has also helped me greatly... Come on people let me hear from you...

I started with a Canonet QL17 III when I was around 12-13 years old. Then in high school, I saved up enough money to buy an AE-1. I used that for 5 years, then purchased an AE-1 Program that I used until 2003. I then bought the original Digital Rebel. Which my friend, a fellow photog broke and now I have the Rebel XT which I've had since 2005. I'm entirely self-taught. Trial and error is the best way to learn!:)

[cypressimage]

I was 5 years old at a wedding, watchinhg the photographer. My dad let me hold his Argus C2, and the rest was history. I got a camera as a prize in a gum ball machine, I couldn't afford to buy film, but I took pictures anyway. At 10 a neighber gave me an old enlarger and I discovered how to process, by trial and error. In the 70's and 80's I did weddings, and now at 61 years old I shoot landscape and wildlife. I always say, even though birds don't pay, they don't complain.

[kentdebtn]

I've been lurking around here for awhile and thought i would introduce myself and post a reply. I guess I come by this passion honestly as my Dad was a photographer and I was always hanging around him. He gave me a old Sears 35mm camera. That was the mid 60s. I guess I was hooked.
After a few point and shoots i decided to get a real camera......after a couple of Pentax cameras - I purchased a Canon 40d and am enjoying that very much....
I guess I'm an official now.

[imahawki]

I was in 4-H (farm kid) and was looking for something to enter in the fair beside the livestock that paid for my college and discovered the photography category. My mom taught me how to use her T70 and I entered a handful of shots that all did well. I was hooked then but didn't seriously pursue it again until now. The reward of a truly great image that wasn't "an accident" is very addictive.

[Bobster]

shot Instamatic cameras when i was a kid, wasn't until my design course @ college where i picked up my first SLR, and wasnt until 2002 when my interest really peeked..

[Edbee]

Started by hanging around a camera store when I was 14. First camera was a 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 Speed Graphic also a darkroom in my house. Finally got up to a 4 x 5 Graphic which I traded for movie equipment when my first son arrived. Went back to 35mm SLR, tried digital video and finally ended up in DSLR. Quite a trip and it's certainly been a lot of fun. BTW, all self taught and still learning.

[skygod44]

I think it was a gift from my parents when I was 9 or 10(?) - so around 1978 - that started me off. Maybe it was Halina 2000. That name rings a bell. A small, cheap P&S film camera. From there, a Practika something-or-other followed by a Nikon plus 50mm and 70-210 zoom and a cheap flashgun around 1993, then my first digital was a Canon P&S in 2004 after I moved to Japan. The 30D only happened in 2007 just before the 40D was launched (timed so that I got a hefty discount!) - and I've never regretted a single second that I've spent behind a camera taking pictures.

As to training.
Nope. It's just a hobby. I think/hope I'm improving, but I only sell pictures occasionally so don't feel any pressure to "perform" to a certain level.

[[Hyuni]]

Always been interested but finally had enough money to invest.
Nothing dramatic.

It's sad because others think I'm just following the trend, but before my dslr, I used to carry my P&S everywhere with me since 2002. I probably would have started earlier, but didn't have enough money for even a P&S.
I was 18 at the time and my parents gave me their sony P10 because they didn't use it anymore

[dustyporch]

I was in my high school photo club back in the mid-80s where I learned darkroom techniques and all about apertures and shutter speeds and stuff... but I left all that behind when I went off to college.

In 2006, we went on a cruise and I took tons of photos of the kids and scenery with my Canon A60. When I got home, I had one GREAT photo of the trip, and a whole bunch of crap. I decided then that I would re-learn photography enough that my vacation photos would be at least decent....

But I found that photography is something that I needed in my life as a stress-buster, and the more I worked on it, the more I enjoyed it. I've upgraded kit as I go, and my photos have improved a TON (in fact, I was looking back at some shots from 2006 yesterday and I would post exactly NONE of those shots today!).

I'm at the point now where I am comfortable... I can consistently get shots that I'm happy with, and I can justify spending a bit of money here and there on new gear as I know I will stick with this hobby.