n00b here, how do I begin?

I am 17 years old and have recently become VERY interested in photography. I started working in the Digital Imaging section of Best Buy in the summer after working for a year as a customer service rep and I have been thinking about getting my first SLR, well actually, my first camera in general.

I would say that I have a good general knowledge of SLRs as a whole because of my experience researching and demoing in preparation for selling. However, I know that I have only scratched the surface on what a camera really can do. I would like to take it up mainly as a hobby for now and see where it takes me. I would like to know how to actually start this whole experience though. I have promised myself that I won't drop hundreds of dollars on a camera because I am going through a phrase so therefore, I need to do more research. What types of knowledge can I gain before I get started? What things will I need to buy? etc.

I took out my friends 10d for a few days and it was a blast. I really hope that my interest level of this fun hobby will continue as it was not only enjoyable, but extremely relaxing. So what do you guys think? How do I get started?

I apologize if this thread has been made hundreds of times

PatrickJ3 wrote in post #9087994
I have promised myself that I won't drop hundreds of dollars on a camera because I am going through a phrase so therefore, I need to do more research.

If you buy everything used at first and decide within a few months if it is a phase or not, you can generally resell without much loss. Maybe a few bucks and shipping fees. If you were to buy new and then decided to sell, you would get around 80% of your money back. I don't now of any other hobby that you can do this with.

I guess where you can start is figuring out what is your price range. From there you could see what camera you could afford then it's advantages and disadvantages.

Then I would have to say that you could think of what you could do outside of the camera's abilities to go around it.

x2 on buying used. The only obstacle I see with that is the fact that you are 17 and probably don't have a credit card, so you'll need to get a parent or someone to help you buying stuff online.

I have bought and sold several lenses etc and basically only lost money on the shipping cost. Buy a older camera body (like a 20d or something) and you won't have to worry about losing half it's value in 2yrs like with a new camera body. My 30D is still a great camera.

If you are thinking DSLRs you WILL spend hundreds, and eventually probably THOUSANDS of dollars (been there done that). You may want to consider a G10 or some sort of advanced P&S that has a hotshoe for a real flash and manual operation. Prior to my XTi I had a Sony H5 superzoom and had alot of fun with it. After a year of playing of experimenting with it I KNEW that I wanted a DSLR for all the right reasons.

I'm of the mind that the fundamentals of exposure are critical to photography and that understanding them makes everything make more sense. Reading the manual of a camera will tell you how to apply what you know but it won't teach you the basics.

I've recommended it a million times but Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is about the best most straight forward book I've seen that explains the basics in an easy to understand way. What you learn in it will apply to any camera by any manufacturer. I'd get it read it 5 times, and get something you can shoot with and then just get out there.

Good luck! Welcome aboard...

PatrickJ3 wrote in post #9087994
I took out my friends 10d for a few days and it was a blast. I really hope that my interest level of this fun hobby will continue as it was not only enjoyable, but extremely relaxing. So what do you guys think? How do I get started?

Depending on your financial resources, I'd strongly suggest a used 20D (one which is in good condition, of course) because the controls are far easier to use in manual mode than any of the Digital Rebel family.

If you are serious about wanting to learn about photography, start in manual exposure mode and learn all about the basics. Only after you have a good understanding of the basics of exposure control (and the reasons why you'd choose one setting over another) should you start using the automation built into the camera. Folks who start by using the automation built into today's cameras probably turn out a few better images but often don't have a clue how to make images the way they visualize them if the situation (lighting, subject movement, etc.) is anything but "average". Photographers who fully understand the basics can do a better job in more situations, in my opinion.

The book recommended above is one resource for a beginner's information, but there are many books that can help you. Visit your local library for starters.

SkipD wrote in post #9090071
Depending on your financial resources, I'd strongly suggest a used 20D (one which is in good condition, of course) because the controls are far easier to use in manual mode than any of the Digital Rebel family.

If you are serious about wanting to learn about photography, start in manual exposure mode and learn all about the basics. Only after you have a good understanding of the basics of exposure control (and the reasons why you'd choose one setting over another) should you start using the automation built into the camera. Folks who start by using the automation built into today's cameras probably turn out a few better images but often don't have a clue how to make images the way they visualize them if the situation (lighting, subject movement, etc.) is anything but "average". Photographers who fully understand the basics can do a better job in more situations, in my opinion.

The book recommended above is one resource for a beginner's information, but there are many books that can help you. Visit your local library for starters.

Very good plan.

Be prepared to fail initially. This is because there is a huge amount of information to take in to get a good photo. Exposure (aperture, shutterspeed, ISO), composition, lighting, post processing - each of which are huge topics. It can take a long time to master but its a extremely rewarding journey (I feel I am but a short way along it after 2 years).

Persevere and you will produce good work ( a lot better than a P&S will get you).

I would also suggest "Understanding Exposure" as a very good starter book. It will get you off the Auto settings.

If you need some good info for beginners that covers what a lot of the terminology means, you should check out this thread and this site.

Happy reading!

I would agree with everything above; there's no point in using an SLR if you leave it in auto mode

merlin2375 wrote in post #9089134
I'm of the mind that the fundamentals of exposure are critical to photography and that understanding them makes everything make more sense. Reading the manual of a camera will tell you how to apply what you know but it won't teach you the basics.

I've recommended it a million times but Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is about the best most straight forward book I've seen that explains the basics in an easy to understand way. What you learn in it will apply to any camera by any manufacturer. I'd get it read it 5 times, and get something you can shoot with and then just get out there.

Good luck! Welcome aboard...

I started reading this book a few days ago actually. I saw it mentioned here, and then the reviews on amazon.com are pretty overwhelming that I figured it must be of value to a novice. The first book I read was Digital photog for dummies, and it was good. But if you already know the basics you could skip it. Anyway, if youre into learning more about photography then check out the book for a firm footing for starting photography.

I second the "Understanding Exposure" book. I am fairly new to photography and still very much in the "learning phase". I read over different sections of that book regularly after or before going to shoot, just to get my head around what I am trying to do/apply in my photos.

Good luck, it is really rewarding when you come home, download all your photo's, and even if there are 200 horrible exposures, when you find that one nice shot, you smile extra big!!

how much $$ are you looking to spend?

buying used is a good idea...but I'm wondering if it might be better to take advantage of any best buy discount you can get

Join a local Photography Club and speak with people who have been shooting seriously for many years. Most people would love to help, instruct, mentor or just share in a club situation. Nothing like having a couple of dozen potential teachers that are as enthusiastic as you are.