What do you recommend for the "newbie" on board?

[PhotographyNewb]

Hi folks. Although I've always had a love of photography/images, I've never had a camera to play with other than a classic point-n-shoot. I managed to pick myself up a Canon Rebel (300D) at a good price. I realize this isn't the "best" camera out there but I'm hoping it'll be good for a "newbie" as myself.

With that said, what do you more experienced folks recommend having on hand for someone starting out? Any lenses you recommend, any books to read, any basic supplies that people often overlook?


Thanks !!!

[grego]

50mm f/1.8. Best bang for your buck and it gives you lots of versatility for low light situations.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 - good walk around lens and everyone around here seems to enjoy it.

[Rigrider]

Definatly the 50mm f/1.8. Affordable, sharp and fast!

L8r,

[SHOWSP]

You might want to go to this site http://www.luminous-landscape.com/ It has a number of tutorials that might be of help. Enjoy your camera.

[grego]

You might also want to check out this thread. Packed with valuable information.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42034

[mwinog2777]

Go to a community college nearby, and just start taking courses in photography.

Keep reading. Start with anything, doesn't matter. Its a circle; doesn't matter where you start, it all comes together in the end.

Take pictures everyday. Work on them with PS CS, and learn it well.

[tim]

http://smartshooter.com will teach you a lot, but you might not know enough to understand what they're on about until you've learned a bit by yourself. A class in your area is IMHO the best way to learn, from there you can get books, read here, and read from the web and learn. SmartShooter is a great site for even the most experienced photographer to read.

50mm F1.8 is a good starter lens, the Tamron recommended above is great.

[lkorell]

Nothing wrong with the 300D, it's a great camera, especially for a quality entry into digital. When you start putting better lenses on it, you will be amazed at what it can do for you as you learn all of the features.

Enjoy!


Lou

[hmhm]

The 300D is a great camera. Are you a great photographer yet? If not, then try working on that! Make sure you learn the basic technical aspects (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, perspective, depth of field, etc.), the basic elements needed to understand how to use an SLR. I always liked "The Camera" by Ansel Adams as a "classic".

Now, are you a great darkroom photographer? If not, then learn the basics of photo editing. You'll need to understand the "basics" as well as how to use the tools. For the basics, I always like "The Print" by Ansel Adams. For the tools, well, there are a gazillion photoshop books out there, I don't know if one is any better than another.

The advantages that cameras "better" than the 300D offer shouldn't be a hindrance to you much as an amateur. Most of the classic photographs that we consider "great" were taken with old film and lenses that we wouldn't consider acceptable for shooting a dog's birthday party today.

Not too long ago, every aspiring photographer got a cheap SLR, the 50mm lens that "came with it", and spent all their money on film, chemicals, and paper. I suggest a similar approach today, get a single lens (I think a kit zoom lens is probably more appropriate today), get a big flash card, a big hard drive, and try to resist the urge to "buy stuff" (e.g. more lenses, more gadgets, etc.)
-harry

[PhotosGuy]

Read ALL the "Sticky"s more than once! You won't "get it" all the first time, but some of it will stick & maybe the next time you'll have an "OH!" moment.
Shoot. Make mizTeaKs. Learn why. Shoot more. ;-)

[condyk]

With that said, what do you more experienced folks recommend having on hand for someone starting out? Any lenses you recommend ...


What do you like to shoot most (birds, people. Macro/close up, portraits, wildlife, street scenes, etc. and in what conditions, i.e. indoor, outdoor, whatever) Also what kind of budget do you have. Answers to these quations dictate which lens/es will be the best for you.

The 300D is a superb camera. Newer models have more features ... but they won't really make you a better photographer. Stick with the 300D until you know it's the weakest part of your system: you, your lenses, your camera, your subjects.

[PhotosGuy]

Well said!