Help me start using my camera again

[smokedoff]

So I bought a t3i when they were new. Kit lens 18-55 and 55-250, a 50 1.8, and a 70-200 f/4.

I started learning about shutter speed and aperature and such and really enjoyed it. But three things happened. I felt didn't have enough time, I didn't have any editing software, and I had a phone with a camera. And so my canon went in the drawer.

I want to get back at it again and I was thinking of ways to learn photography and learn what lenses suit me. So what if I put the 50 1.8 on and put the other three in the drawer. Use the 50 all the time. Inside, outside, kids, walking around, etc. would this method help me learn what I can do with a camera and what I want/need in a lens? Then maybe move to the 70-200, etc...?

Also, is it normal to feel a little pointless about photography because I don't have any editing software right now. I look at processed photos and it really kills my drive bc my photos lack that "pop". Does that make any sense at all?

 

[JustJazzie]

Absolutely!

Yes, I think sticking to the 50mm for a bit would definitely enhance your skills. The prime lens and wide DOF ability will really ask you to pause and think about the image you are trying to create.

I've discovered that when we say we don't have enough time for something, what we really mean is "I would rather be doing something else with my time" If you really want to learn photography, create the space where you can enjoy it. Schedule in a photo walk. Write it down on your agenda and commit to creating an enjoyable experience. Is there a park or a trail you've been meaning to visit? Is there someone you've been meaning to spend more time with that you could ask to photograph? Or could you simply wander off by yourself, with some awesome music playing in your ears, in search of something that calls out to you? Do you have another passion that you could incorporate into your work? (cooking, creating, collecting, building etc) The more you enjoy it, the more you will learn!

As for editing, for now- you can check out the built in JPG presets in your camera, which will change the look of your photos and edit internally. Play with lighting. (for example, high contrast light makes images appear sharper, and more "punchy" than a back lit image which will be more dreamy and soft.)

And I am sure some will chime in at any time now and suggest a free program or two for you to look into.

How did you learn to walk? One step at a time.
How will you learn photography? One shutter click at a time.
Stop worrying and planning what lenses you may or may not need in the future, and start enjoying what you have right here, right now.

 

[Pixilox]

I would! Put that 50 on and go shooting. Everything you see. Read your manual over and over to learn what settings do what. One thing that has been helping me is taking a small notebook and writing down what settings I used and what the lighting was like, for reference when I look at what I took.

 

[mdruziak]

I would take some photography classes from a local camera club or camera store.

 

[TCampbell]

What type of computer do you have (Windows or Mac or something else?)

Editing software can be anywhere from free, to cheap, to expensive ... depending on what you select and why. But having "something" will definitely help your images pop. Most images could stand at least a little adjustment.

If you shoot RAW (which provides the best adjustment latitude to work with your images on the computer) then Canon provides their "Digital Photo Professional" (aka "DPP") and it's free. It'll handle all the RAW adjustments as well as let you convert the images (including batch conversion of lots of images at a time) into either JPEG or TIFF.

There are several low-cost and easy-to-use programs as well... that'll likely vary by what type of computer you use (Windows or Mac etc.) Most computers probably have some type of free photo management program that provides a way to make basic adjustments. For example, Apple includes the "Photos" app and while it's not going to compete with Photoshop or Lightroom, it's easy to use and it does provide the ability to make all the basic adjustment types. I'm guessing Windows has something as well.

Photoshop is the 800lb gorilla but it's also got a bit of a learning curve. But Adobe doesn't sell Photoshop licenses outright anymore... it's now part of a subscription plan (at $10/month for both Photoshop and Lightroom and it requires an annual subscription (you can't rent it for just one month at a time.)). But they do sell "Photoshop Elements" outright and just about anything you would realistically need to do with an image is included in Elements. Some capabilities that would be required for a publishing shop are missing. For example, doing CMYK color separation for offset bulk printing (think catalog printing) are missing.... but I'm just betting you don't own an offset color printer (these are huge printers -- imaging a printer that is probably as long as your car). That's the sort of thing that is missing from Elements. I think Elements has a list price of $99 (an "upgrade" price of $79) at full retail. You can occasionally catch it on sale for less.

But I'm usually not too keen to recommend Photoshop or even Photoshop Elements because of it's learning curve. It can be confusing to use and becoming proficient will require investing some time. Programs like "Lightroom" (also Adobe software) are a bit easier to use. It has a learning curve too... but I find it "speaks my language" (it uses terminology that would make sense to a photographer). But again, Lightroom is only available if you "rent" it (annual subscription - the cheapest version is $10/month with an annual subscription and it includes Photoshop (the full version of Photoshop... not Elements)).

 

[Designer]

So what if I put the 50 1.8 on and put the other three in the drawer.

You can discipline yourself in various ways, that being one valid approach. Another is to arbitrarily choose some other artificial limitation, such as subject type, minimum number of shots per day, create a "365" project, B&W only, etc. Whichever method you choose, you should stick it out, don't switch off midstream.

 

[JPI]

I'm in the same boat as those who say "make time, take what you got and shoot the snot out of it", strive for perfection within the camera; photography has lived for centuries without editing software and there's some mighty fine images still around to prove it.

 

[dennybeall]

It makes sense to make the photo the best it can be in the camera, that's a given. I think there are some misconceptions about post processing and how it wasn't done before computers so doesn't need to be done now.
Post-processing was in fact done in the darkroom and many tricks and techniques were used that are now just mimicked with Photoshop and other software like it.

 

[smokedoff]

Sounds great! Thanks for the encouragement! I got the camera out yesterday and put the 50 on. I have been taking candids and random stuff with the kids and wife. Bad weather has kept me inside. Thanks guys! May try to get up some photos for criticism soon.

 

[pgriz]

I've been doing photography for about five decades now. Pointing the camera at stuff and clicking the shutter is fun. However, we see everything through perceptual filters - where what we see tends to conform to certain patterns and shapes and meanings associated with those things/events. One of the more powerful ways to "photograph" is to try and strip away your expectations of what you see, and break it down to shape, texture, colour, lines, repeating elements, etc. Another way is to take non-visual elements (such as sounds, or temperature, or smells), and think about what they would look like if expressed in a visual medium. Still another way is to approach something that conveys emotion and see if you can create a visual representation of that.

Still, another way of extending your photography is to shoot a subject under various conditions, from different perspectives. Exploring a subject in this manner can open up new ways of seeing that you can then carry over to other subjects. Still another way to extend your photography is to study it from an artist's perspective of composition, balance, negative and positive space, creating separation, and so forth. I love going to art museums and galleries and try to understand how various visual elements create emotion in me when I see those works.

As for processing, it's somewhat like food presentation - it's not directly related to the taste, smell and texture of the food, but adds to those by exciting the visual senses to create anticipation and appreciation. It's like adding spices to give a food dish that extra zing. And just as with spices, it can be overdone and ruin the main image. The trick is to do just enough.

 

[JPI]

It makes sense to make the photo the best it can be in the camera, that's a given. I think there are some misconceptions about post processing and how it wasn't done before computers so doesn't need to be done now.
Post-processing was in fact done in the darkroom and many tricks and techniques were used that are now just mimicked with Photoshop and other software like it.

Sorry, didn't mean to imply there wasn't manipulation prior to digital, was just eluding to the fact that more time was spent by necessity prior to digital in learning to capture an image as close to true as possible to begin with, an aspect that you would think carried the same weight today but too often doesn't.