Confused and overwhelmed newbie

I'm relatively new to serious photography and am overwhelmed by the starting point of this fascinating hobby/career. I own a Rebel XS, 18-55mm IS Kit lens, 50mm f/1.8, Speedlight 430ex, and a gary fong lightsphere (it came with the flash).

Ultimately, I'd like to start a side business doing fashion/headshots (I've already started working on this). But overall - I'm overwhelmed by the whole photography thing. I see so many good photographers on sites like flickr, and it makes me wonder 'how can i get to that point'? I've debating taking the NYIP Pro Photography course, and am seriously leaning towards that route. I figure it would be a great way to improve my photography, and get some personal feedback on my progress.

Aside from that I'm trying to read books, recently finished 'Understanding Exposure'. I guess, overall, I'm just overwhelmed by the process of what it takes to become a good photographer. I know practice is part of it, obviously, but then I start wondering about the equipment, and the NYIP course. Should I purchase a tripod? Should I purchase a Strobist kit? Should I take the course?

Sorry for the long rant...it's been a long day.

Any advice for someone just starting out but looking to get serious is much appreciated.

JRMott
www.flickr.com/JRMott

JRMott wrote in post #9782689
I see so many good photographers on sites like flickr, and it makes me wonder 'how can i get to that point?

Spend several years taking pictures and learning. You can't buy experience.

I would think that if you are feeling overwhelmed then don't buy anything new. Just go out and shoot, and then shoot some more. Make pictures everyday. With all the free sources out there (podcast, forums, video tutorials) use those to get more comfortable before you drop money for a class.

Just IMO though

You mention practice and, of course, that is a key. However, analysis is also a key. You have all the information you need in the exif info attached to each file. Look at shots that worked, check what you did, think about it. Then look at shots that didn't work, same thing. Obviously I'm talking about exposure and that is a big part of what people do wrong. Also look at your shots that are properly exposed, but don't "work." Compare those to the ones that "work" and to other photographers photos that you really like. That gets you into composition. I studied fine arts at the university level and learned alot from analyzing classic paintings and photos. The masters are masters because they know how to compose. It takes time and application. This isn't "rocket science" by any means. You just need to develop your technique (exposure) and style (composition). Emphasis on "your".

Practice like mentioned above, and then post them on this site in the critique sections and take any (good) comments to heart and keep them in mind the next time you shoot. Shoot EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE! Go to events, parks, zoos, races what every you like and practice.

Force yourself to stay out of the green box. Shoot in manual. Study what works and what doesn't in each shot until you really get the hang of it. Read read read read (message boards, blogs, books, articles...and apply what you have read.

When you see a shot you like, peek at the EXIF to see how they made it. Look at catch lights to see how they used lighting to make the image. Study shadows. Look at poses. Look at composition.

Ask for critiques and receive the advice given to you without feeling put down or attacked. You will learn so much through the helpful eyes of those kind enough to make suggestions if you receive them with an open mind.

Above all...shoot shoot shoot...even if it is mundane things. Your aim is to be proficient with your equipment and technique. Once you become proficient, hone your art and expand your gear collection.

This will be extremely popular advice.

Leave the forums -- immediately.

POTN is a great place for a casual shooter to learn to get serious about your craft, but you already have a leg up on many here in one respect. You are already running a business.

If you really want to make money with your craft, then the web is your friend. Start reading blogs from photographers who are making money at their craft. strobist.com, planetneil.com, digitalprotalk.com, pixsylated.com, scottkelby.com -- these are a great place to start. Read it all, suck it in.

Forums are useful for:

1) Making friends
2) Casual critiques
3) Ego Building
4) Quick answers to direct, close ended questions.

Coming to the forums to ask questions like your opening post here just create conversation, not answers. And, if time is money in your business, then you will be wasting both. It can be fun wasting it, but it won't necessarily make you a better photographer

DC Fan wrote in post #9783071
Spend several years taking pictures and learning. You can't buy experience.

This is what I was going to say. I don't think there is any replacement for shooting a wide variety of things (landscape, portraits, wildlife, everything) and shooting it all in Manual. Once you start to understand how to get the exposures you want everything will start to come together. I have been shooting for just over a year and I still learn new things almost every time I go out to shoot.

Take pen and paper with you and write down any concerns or questions you have while you are out shooting and then look them up on these forums. You can find almost anything here.

have you posted for C&C?

Also some aspects of being a good photog are hard to learn, like comp and framing. That is why not everyone is a photog!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I was just overwhelmed at the moment about the course of action. I plotted out the costs needed to get to the point I can actually become a full fledged - side business, and although that was more overwhelming it kinda of gave me an idea where to focus my time on.

I agree the only way to get better is to keep practicing, and that is what I'm going to do. I have visited the critique forums, and plan to post more there as I shoot more.