new hobby but am I too old

Benji wrote in post #12522576
I have a DVD on posing and lighting and I have a 44 page book on the same, mostly on high school girls. I also offer one and two day one on one classes for the serious minded photographer.

Benji

Well, I think you're allowed to say that ... just no advertising in your signature file. And I do agree that good instruction is a HUGE benefit, but not everyone learns the same way (or one way.)

Shoot, man, I'm 71 and started 4 months ago. Nuff said.

bubbygator wrote in post #12616178
Shoot, man, I'm 71 and started 4 months ago. Nuff said.

No, No! You're too old. Stop now before you ruin it for all of us!

I'm doing my best!! I'm attending 2 National basketball championships in July: 6th grade USSSA and 17U AAU. If my grandkids keep going, I'll make it to the NBA!

bubbygator wrote in post #12616902
I'm doing my best!! I'm attending 2 National basketball championships in July: 6th grade USSSA and 17U AAU. If my grandkids keep going, I'll make it to the NBA!

No, no, Bubba, get a walker or a wheelchair and write postcards! Watching kids play ball is hard on your heart!

I'm not "watching" them - I'm shooting them... and the coaches and team love it. They gave me a new photog name "BubZ".

And I'm loving it, too.

I think few of us wants to start photography as a hobby,but due to our profession we can't start this great and self satisfying art I may say. It was only when I had the extra budget and time that I learned how great photography was. Up to now I explore my 5DII and 550D, I think this will be forever.

DM1975 wrote in post #12452089
Jeezus dude, I am pushing 40 and am disabled from injuries sustained in Iraq and I don't think I am too old. I am doing it and I got a hole in my head and a spine like a jinga game gone wrong. I am sure you will be just fine.

Thanks for your service....I know it's off the subject but just say your post! Great attitude to, keep the faith hope you do well!!!

Thought I'd be an oldie (52), looks like 70 has me beat. Don't think any age is to old as long as you can carry the equipment. Age is just a number

what age is too old to start
A: When you cant' remember your name.

what age is too young to start
A: When you pee and **** your pants.

what age is too old to start
A: Once they nail the coffin shut.

what age is too young to start
A: When you can't consistantly roll over from your back to your belly...

What age is too old too start?
A: When you forget how to take the lens cap off

what age is too young to start?
A: When you dont know how to take the lens cap off

what age is too young to start
A: When you pee and **** your pants.

That could also be a sign that you're too old!

what age is too old to start?
A. when you can no longer remember where you left your camera.

what age is too young to start?
A. when you can't raise the camera up to eye level.

ROGERWILCO357 wrote in post #12424791
how old is too old to start in this field? I am pushing 40 and starting over since getting disabled at work and looking for a field i enjoy . I have been shooting since the AE-1 days of the 80’s and have grown from the first canon rebel digital to the 30d,7d,and now the 5dmkII one day up to the mark units..just because I love to shoot and document my families growth I have 9 kids from 2 to 22 and love shooting them , landscapes , macros . fish and corals and flowers and bugs. I just got the 24-104L,85l,70-200f.2 L and looking to get the 50mm ..now with all this gear and the grips ,tripods and the 580exII what else should I get to get me to the next level ..I know the equipment doesn't make the photog but would love to get into this as a job ..I love the human body especially the woman ..explains my wife and the 25 years married and all our kids huh every curve and dimple is an experience of beauty to me ..but I don’t want to shoot porn stuff just creative nice pieces even animals. back to my first effort at hand shooting portraits and graduations shots what would you say I need to tackle this project..if this isn’t the right forum please move it to the appropriate one ..also what is the oldest photographer you have heard that started doing this to the youngest ..and made it a success? Or am I just dreaming and too old to learn this new field?
what classes should I take and where I am in Michigan and tired of being disabled and not using my body like I used to I can handle the camera and the gear and want to pass this on to my sons and daughters so any help or intel would be appreciated ..how does one find a photo camp in michigan or group where people get together to do shoots and help out ..I would love to hold the light for another photog just to learn and get exp.
Roger

There are so many aspects to your post. First off - I started taking classes at the Jr. College when I was 55. (A great place for learning photography.)
I'm now 62 and going strong.
My two cents: You need more self-confidence. Like everyone tried to convey: You Are Never Too Old!!! Maybe you should research people who became successful at an "older" age.
You are only as old as you feel. My body is 62 - but I am ageless on the inside. I hope you find a way to start seeing yourself more positively.
I don't think anyone addressed resources.
Jr. College - Adult Ed. - local parks and rec. activities (they always offer classes) - Local camera or photography clubs where people meet monthly and sometimes go on field trips, etc. We have 3 in our area. - Online classes - some free, some not. Betterphoto.com is one - but I'm sure there are tons to check out. Youtube has tutorials on Everything!!! Including all aspects of photography. Put an ad on Craig's List or ? for others with your interest. Blogs, books, DVD's, and on and on.
This is obviously something you have a passion for - Go For It!!

I was 50 when I decided to move from point-n-shoot with my rebel to really learning. That is when I signed up here and started asking questions. Since I have used glasses since the age of 3 I worried about focus and color. Some of my first questions was about how to get the best autofocus from a camera. I've used websites, bought lots of books and videos, and took a few classes at Betterphoto.com. Here is a bit of what I have learned.

Books did nothing for me in the beginning. DVD's were a little better but what I learned one week was gone three weeks later. I finally took a class on my camera and it worked out great. A local teacher quit holding classes right after I signed up so I ended up at Betterphoto.com and lucked into a good class. The instructor mixed photography basics in with learning the different modes of the camera and then gave honest critiques on submitted photos. Suddenly I was getting it. I said "lucked into a good class" because I followed with three more classes at betterphoto.com. One was ok and 2 were a waste of money, being nothing like the description. Your mileage may vary. Be cautious with any expensive learning method but also realize that a GOOD class is worth the price. It will make a difference.

Next I started studying the books I bought on composition. At this point I was able to understand and evaluate what I was seeing. The pictures were giving me ideas and I had the basics to know how to proceed.

Now I am ready to start posting pictures in the review section and look forward to crappy responses. Not that people generally give crappy responses here, but you need to know what needs improvement and how to make those improvements. When I first signed up and saw comments like "could be sharper" or "the focal point is off" I thought people were being mean. Now I understand. They are telling you what to fix so you can graduate to comments like "white balance is off" or "the background is distracting." There are some good photographers here and their comments can really help you improve.