TOTALLY LOST

[mdaddyrabbit]

I got a Canon 20D and unless I shoot in auto mode I am lost, when would be a good website or book that would clue me in on exposure seting, Fstop, RAW etc. I really would like to get educated but I do not have the time to take any classes because of 4 nights of school now to finish up my degree for Network Administrator. I feel a little overwhelmed with some of thos stuff. All comments welcome and appreciated.

[Ikinaa]

The Talk about Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13) section of this forum is a good start

Or http://www.photo.net/learn/ is also a good resource for learning

[aam1234]

I always recommend this site. (http://www.shortcourses.com/) I find it very helpful.

[jfrancho]

This book, along side the owners manual helped me understand how to use the camera: Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0596006276/104-4567741-5047120?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance)(O'Reilly Digital Studio)
by Derrick Story. It's taken me 10,000 shots to even begin learning how to make a photograph.

[symes]

I got a Canon 20D and unless I shoot in auto mode I am lost, when would be a good website or book that would clue me in on exposure seting, Fstop, RAW etc. I really would like to get educated but I do not have the time to take any classes because of 4 nights of school now to finish up my degree for Network Administrator. I feel a little overwhelmed with some of thos stuff. All comments welcome and appreciated.

From one beginner to another - I feel for you...I was in your situation not too long ago with the 300D. This forum has helped tons...but I know how you feel about needing a start:

the starting keys that have helped me learn...

- Aperture - in the AV mode you are in control of this. this controls how much is going to be in focus.

For general use the higher the number the more that is going to be in focus around your target. but also the slower your shutter speed is going to be.


- Shutter Speed - in TV mode this is what you control and then the Aperture is set for you. This mode is used mostly for catching moving action.

the general rule, once it gets below 1/focal length, you can no longer shoot clearly without a tripod. 1/focal length means simply that if you are using your kit lens and you have it fully extended to 55mm, a shutter speed of less than 1/60 of a second (read 60 in the viewfinder) and you might have a fuzzy shot.

- Now the final beginner key is how are both affected by your ISO (the higher you go 100-200-400-800-1600-3200(in your case), the more noise will be in your picture (noise are the little black specs that only become visible after you realize what they are...:lol: Sports are normally shot at a higher ISO - your 20D, according to this forum and some of the shots I have seen performs wonderfully at high ISO's so don't be afraid to use it. the pros will tell you that if it is between getting the shot and not, pump up the ISO...

You will really notice the difference in low light...and how you have to bumb up the ISO or the shot simply won't work with hand held...

this is by no means the book but should help you get started and allows you to begin to siff around through the hordes of information...The best way to learn is to take one piece of info and then go out and shoot shoot shoot...I am still a long way from fully understanding my camera but the nice people on here will help you tons...

My one other tid bit of advice is get the EF 50mm f/1.8 MKII lens...for under 100 bucks it is one of the best purchases you can make...just look at all the talk on here about it!!

Cheers...

[PhotosGuy]

Great post, symes.
Take a look at this, too:

Virtual Interactive Camera: The Flash-based Virtual Camera gives users hands-on experience operating an Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera.
Four tutorials explain focusing, aperture, shutter speed and exposure.
http://www.camerasinteractive.com/index.php

[mdaddyrabbit]

Thanks folks, I am going to order the book, I appreciate the terms and definitions I have printed me a copy and added myseft to your mailing list Mr. Matt, Really thanks to everyone for taking your valuable time to give me a helping hand.

[symes]

Thanks folks, I am going to order the book, I appreciate the terms and definitions I have printed me a copy and added myseft to your mailing list Mr. Matt, Really thanks to everyone for taking your valuable time to give me a helping hand.

That is what this form is all about...

Cheers,

[jO3]

just a quick reference as to how I learned... I never took courses or read books... But mainly by browsing forums and asking about a photographer's EXIF data for a picture... The EXIF data is basically the specs and settings that the camera was set on while taking the picture...

i.e., a picture may have been taken @ 400 ISO at 1/125th of a second at F4.0... Just by comparing these photos to other photos' EXIF data can really help you understand...

Another way that I learned before I found forums like this were to take the pictures in auto mode, and then look at the EXIF data and try to mimic those settings under the manual (M) mode... Then I'd adjust one setting at a time, like the ISO setting, to learn the miniscule differences to distinguish my own styles and taste in the picture's contrast, brightness, etc...

The best way to learn, imo, is just to put your hands on and give it a try...

just my $0.02

[markubig]

that's the great thing about having a Digital SLR . . . you have INSTANT feedback to compare shots at different settings. You don't have to spend the money on film/developing and waiting for the prints.

[symes]

that's the great thing about having a Digital SLR . . . you have INSTANT feedback to compare shots at different settings. You don't have to spend the money on film/developing and waiting for the prints.

Really makes it affordable for everyone to enjoy the hobby...and improve...