Nervous

Hi, first and formal I would like to introduce myself since it’s my first post on this forum. I’m Vince, a 24 years old drafter and Mech E major. That’s about all, I’m pretty boring .
My Rebel XTi is going to be here today and I’m way nervous than I should be. I guess I’m just worrying about being disappointed, I’ve seen so many good pictures takien by this camera thus I have great expectations for it, but I realize it’s not just the camera, but it’s also the user and the PP process. So I’ve been reading as much as I can so I can be ready for it. Has anybody been in this stage before?

I think this is a fairly common feeling... and trust me, most people's first few shots are utter crap until they get the hang of the thing (unless they've shot before). Heck, I look back on what I thought were good photos 6 months after I got my camera and shudder. Ugh.

Don't have too high expectations of yourself at first - just get in, learn and have fun Every shot is essentially free (eventually the shutter will expire but not particularly likely anytime soon) so go ahead and experiment.

Two most important parts of every camera is the one that goes in front of it and the other that goes in the back.

Welcome to POTN!

As long as you are happy with the photos you take that's all that matters. No matter how good YOU think your picture is......its might not be AS good in someone elses eyes.

Take pictures for your satisfaction. I find it satisfying and do it for my personal enjoyment.

You should leave a note on your door refusing delivery that way you won't worry about the pictures you are going to take and can concentrate on your school work. A degree is the best thing you can have. Once you graduate you can afford to get the latest and greatest camera out there.

Just kidding!

I wanted to study Mech E when I was going to college but you know the limit as the GPA goes to zero the major goes to business.

You're going to love the camera. Once you charge the battery and start taking pics you're going to be hooked. You won't want to put it down.

And I will warn you, when you go back a year from now and look at your first year's work you will think to yourself, "Man I sucked at this when I opened the box." I know I did and still do. It is an ongoing, learning process. Don't be afraid and enjoy learning a new skill.

I was there myself about a year ago. It was a strugle and uphill battle for me (and still climbing) but at a certain point, it all starts to come together. Once you are there it is even more enjoyable, and you will surely be hooked for life. Congrats on the new camera.

Thanks guy for all the comforting words/advices. I actually felt better now, but be warned, I'm going to ask a lot of noob questions. Again, thanks guys.

Vince, I felt the same way 2 months ago when I ordered my XTI. As a matter of fact I still feel that way

The biggest "tip" I can give you is one I got from the fine folks here (besides have fun)...
Get the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. I used to own a Canon AE-1 35 mm back in the 80's but I really forgot the things I learned back then. This book is a keeper for the person who wants to take the camers off Auto.

Learning to take good pictures will come with time if you put yourself to it but in the beginning enjoy the great camera and just take lots of pictures. Learning will happen later but right now, enjoy your camera.

Taking lots of pictures serve two functions: one, you'll enjoy all the pictures and two, you'll start learning when you start looking at what you could do to make them better.

Also, read everything you can on POTN (here) and you'll learn faster!

Enjoy!

Welcome to the forum, Vince. I am a mechanical engineer and do quite a bit of computer-aided design (mostly 3D solids modeling using Autodesk Inventor). Good luck with your studies.

As for photography, don't put to much pressure on yourself. There are some supremely talented people on this forum. Many of them are pros who make a living off of their photos but there are also some great amateurs. Don't put pressure on yourself to replicate their great work from day 1. For me, the most important thing is to have fun with this hobby. It keeps me interested because it seems like there is always more to learn. Heck, I even like all of the mathematical relationships present in photography. And, when you see a great shot and wonder how on earth someone created that image, just ask. The posters on this board are great about sharing information and their experience with others.

BTBeilke wrote in post #2266239
Welcome to the forum, Vince. I am a mechanical engineer and do quite a bit of computer-aided design (mostly 3D solids modeling using Autodesk Inventor). Good luck with your studies.

As for photography, don't put to much pressure on yourself. There are some supremely talented people on this forum. Many of them are pros who make a living off of their photos but there are also some great amateurs. Don't put pressure on yourself to replicate their great work from day 1. For me, the most important thing is to have fun with this hobby. It keeps me interested because it seems like there is always more to learn. Heck, I even like all of the mathematical relationships present in photography. And, when you see a great shot and wonder how on earth someone created that image, just ask. The posters on this board are great about sharing information and their experience with others.

I think that's my main problem, I've see all these pictures taking by the pro on here and the first thought that pop up in my head was "omg, I can do that too, i got a new camera!" but reality sinks in after a shortlived moment of excitement. I'll try to take it easy on myself.

BTW:
I'm a full-time drafter for a home builder, so I'm on Autocad all day, then school at night, then running my automotive shop on the weekend.

By definition, everyone has been a beginner at some point in time.

As in most areas of study, there will always be someone better than you and someone not as good as you. The object is to have fun!

If you must compare your work against something, compare it against your past work. Is it better? Yes - then you are successful!

Look at (study) other's work for inspiration, guidence, direction, etc.

Working this way, you will always be happy and always improving!

So, have fun, take pictures, post them for C&C and to provide inspiriation for others with less experience/ability!

If you didn't have this feeling then there would probably be something wrong with you.

Make it about having fun. This is a learning experience but probably not anywhere nearly as difficult as what you are experiencing in your studies at school.

Read the manual, go shoot, read the manual again and practise.

Just enjoy your camera and let it grow on you. Certainly there will be disappointments along the way but that is all part of the learning experience.

VinceN,
You don't mention what if any camera experience you have so I'll assume you have little. Don't be enticed by software and PP to start. Learn your camera, learn the fundamentals of light and exposure, focus and DOF. Develop your "eye". You can't take a good photo unless you can "see" what you are looking at except by accident. In the old days of photography (like yesterday it seems) serious photographers kept shoot logs with all the data (meta data now) written down so they could fix things in a wet darkroom or talk to their processor about what they wanted done during the developing and printing process now there seems to be a "no matter I'll fix it with the software" mind set. I always tell my students to set up a still life, get your camera manual and shot that still life while you play with the bells and whistles on your camera. Don't sacrifice quality for quantity.

My experience is pretty limitted. I bought an A80 powershot couple years ago and this thing is worn to heck. I've learned to use it in manual mode in which I get to mess with spot-metering, ISO, F/stop and shutter speed.