Beginners...good read!

[mishele]

20 Photography Tips from Our Twitter Followers

Anyone else want to add something? :thumbup:

Non-noobies, disagree w/ anything?

 

[tirediron]

Besides the near demise of the English language? A couple of points: One espouses shooting RAW (With which I agree) and another says 'Expose correctly and shoot .jpg and save yourself the trouble of shooting RAW'. First, shooting RAW isn't "more trouble" and second exposing correctly should be done in whatever format you choose to shoot. I'm also not in favour of the 'Spray and pray' technique. I firmly believe that teaches people that they don't have to pay attention, but can rather hold down the shutter release and hope for the best. Other than that? It's all good! :thumbup:

 

[Derrel]

Some pretty good tips in that list. One tip I did not see is this: think before you shoot. Ask yourself what it is you wish to accomplish, and then ask yourself how you can best achieve the desired end result. It sounds simple, and it is, and yet it is often overlooked.

 

[JClishe]

Pretty good overall. I especially like the guidance to fill the frame, that's one of the easiest tips that anyone at any skill level can implement with any camera; compact, camera phone, dSLR, etc.

 

[Jarrod268]

I understand about not getting LCD screen fixation, but "use your tools" should be mentioned. Learn to use your histogram. It makes getting the right exposure so much easier.

 

[Ballistics]

My teacher preaches for LCD review for beginners. How will you know that the last 40 shots weren't trash if you don't check your LCD screen? For a learning photographer, the LCD should be checked regularly in my opinion.

 

[JClishe]

My teacher preaches for LCD review for beginners. How will you know that the last 40 shots weren't trash if you don't check your LCD screen? For a learning photographer, the LCD should be checked regularly in my opinion.

You need to find the right balance. For landscapes sure, you're probably checking after every shot. But if you're in the studio you're probably moving faster and chimping the screen after every shot can interrupt the flow. Although I have looked at the screen to realize that a strobe hasn't been firing for 5 or 6 shots.

 

[Overread17 5]

If you're going to chimp get the histogram up!


Otherwise I agree one has to find a balance between chimping at the LCD and shooting the scene before them. Early on I'd advocate a little more chimping. Yes you might miss a few shots, but it should mean that you have a better chance of landing the right shots when you do shoot.
As time progresses confidence and experience will build to the point where one does not need to chimp so often to check and also where one can chimp a lot faster - check the important bits and get right back to shooting.

 

[sm4him]

My teacher preaches for LCD review for beginners. How will you know that the last 40 shots weren't trash if you don't check your LCD screen? For a learning photographer, the LCD should be checked regularly in my opinion.

The way that *I* interpreted that "don't spend your time looking at the LCD screen" was a little different--I took that to mean don't get so focused on getting the shot that you miss the moment. I am often guilty of this--for example, I go on a hike and see a beautiful sunrise; I can get so fixated on getting the shot right, that I don't just take the time to ENJOY the sunrise.

Overall--your standard Twitterized English, which tends to make my heart hurt and pretty basic, but useful ideas for the most part.

The biggest thing I'd disagree with has already been mentioned but bears repeating: the dude who said "no RAW needed." Good grief.

 

[Ballistics]

My teacher preaches for LCD review for beginners. How will you know that the last 40 shots weren't trash if you don't check your LCD screen? For a learning photographer, the LCD should be checked regularly in my opinion.

You need to find the right balance. For landscapes sure, you're probably checking after every shot. But if you're in the studio you're probably moving faster and chimping the screen after every shot can interrupt the flow. Although I have looked at the screen to realize that a strobe hasn't been firing for 5 or 6 shots.

Sure, but this is for beginners isn't it?

 

[ph0enix]

My teacher preaches for LCD review for beginners. How will you know that the last 40 shots weren't trash if you don't check your LCD screen? For a learning photographer, the LCD should be checked regularly in my opinion.

If they're shooting film, they're screwed

 

[Ballistics]

My teacher preaches for LCD review for beginners. How will you know that the last 40 shots weren't trash if you don't check your LCD screen? For a learning photographer, the LCD should be checked regularly in my opinion.

If they're shooting film, they're screwed

Well, my school is based on digital photography. Plus that rule wouldn't apply to film anyway. However, I've always wondered how the hell people have shot dozens of rolls of film without a preview.

 

[Overread17 5]

Film can be a little more forgiving on exposure than digital - especially in the highlights; whereas digital tends to have less dynamic range (though this is always getting less and less of a difference as things improve) and also is less forgiving in the lightlights. Digital retains an edge for shadow details - however in average exposures its the highlights that are distracting/problems if they are overexposed.

Also don't forget there was some exposure pull possible in the darkroom

Also I heard that a good number of pros wouldn't just take one perfect shot; they'd take a good shot - then they'd vary the settings/exposure a little either side ot make darn sure they got the right shot (if the situation allowed them).