HELP Please

[cristoleyz]

Hi,

I'm looking for some direction here. For a couple years now I have been wanting to get into photography as a hobby. I started to find myself admiring photos either at craft shows or magazines or hanging in frames in office buildings and having a desire to create such things myself. About a year ago I received an A80 as a gift. I have yet to figure the tech stuff out. I have been lurking here for about a year and I seem to have a good eye when it comes to viewing others photos and knowing what is good and not so good and I have been pretty good at silently critiqing. So...what help am I looking for? Where does one go to get instruction on how to "learn" the art? I guess I am referring to aperture, iso, dof, light, shutter speed, f stops, filter, lenses........ect. I have been trying to figure it out on my own and it is overwhelming. I checked the local colleges here and they do have some courses but they are like 9 credit hours and only offered during the day. I work full time and have a family. I want the hands on training but, I'm not looking for a degree. Based on geographic location, I realize no one can tell me specificaly where to go but based on your locale, are such classes offered for people who have an interest? Kind of like how you can go to ceramic classes but not school persay. I feel so frustrated. Where does one start? Should I have different camera to start with? I'm interested in nature, scenic, b&w, abstract and I'm starting to favor candid shots of people. I know I am rambling on here but I'm just looking for some direction. Where did you all start? Thanks for any advice you can offfer me. Chris

[Scottes]

Find a good book on general photography. There's a list at the top of this forum - "Sticky: Photography Basics - Books & Links"

Then get out and shoot your butt off. Pick some subject (or 2 or 3) that you **like** since you'll take better shots of stuff that interests you. And since you're shooting digital it's free, so try a bunch of settings (primarily aperture and shutter speed). Don't get caught up in which setting is "best" since there's no such thing. But playing with different settings is the absolute best way to learn what they do.

Post some of the best shots in the Critique section - we're very mellow here so don't be afraid - and people will give pointers and such.

From everything that I've heard around the vast majority of us did the above. Practice is the best way to learn.


So why are you here reading this? Go out and shoot something. :-)

[IndyJeff]

You might also check with the local newspaper to see if they have a community section which might list clubs and organizations. Also look at the high school to see if they have a photography club and it's membership requirements. The instructor may even be able to direct you to a camera club outside the school.

[cristoleyz]

Thanks for the response Indy and Scott! I never thought of the high school possibly having something.....I will check definately check that out :-)

Going to check that "sticky" out now and maybe head off to Media Play. But I think I'll go outside and "play" first :-)

Thanks again! Much appreciated.