How long do you feel it took to learn the basics?

weepete · Jan 16, 2015

I was just sitting thinking about my photography in general when I kinda realised that this is finally the point where I feel comfortable with the basics of using my camera.

That got me thinking about how long it's taken me to get to this point and it's been around 2 years since I made a conscious choice to try and improve my photography. I don't shoot every day and quite often will have spells where I put my camera down for a week or month or two.

So I was wondering how long it took you before you realised you had the basic technical skills down?

Designer · Jan 16, 2015

Working on it.

bribrius · Jan 16, 2015

still learning. Not so much camera operation but camera operation as it pertains to what i am looking at and desired effect. And remembering what i have for options and when to use what. Lot of it has to do with gauging the scene and your subject, least for me. Often i will look back at something in hindsight and think of the ways i could have done better but i didn't think of it at the time, or forgot one of the options in my basket. Other times, it could be more simple. i forgot and left it on bracketing and didnt notice, left noise control on high, forgot and i should have used a flash for that. Realize i am in matrix and shouldnt be etc. etc. etc.

tirediron · Jan 16, 2015

It's been over 30 years now...

limr · Jan 16, 2015

I'm still waiting to feel that way.

I'm only partially kidding.

I know I've gotten better at composition, but as I'm scanning a bunch of film I shot on a recent vacation and seeing that I overexposed a good number of them, I'm wondering if I've moved backwards. I can tell myself it's just that I misjudged the relative strength of the desert sun, but I suspect the real reason is that I've completely forgotten how to take a picture :048:

sashbar · Jan 16, 2015

What is basic technical skills ?
I mean where is that line between basic and advanced in photography?

runnah · Jan 16, 2015

THE MUSICIAN: Pablo Casals, who performed at the UN recently, is 81. He agreed to have Robert Snyder make a movie short, “A Day in the Life of Pablo Casals.” Snyder asked Casals, the world’s foremost cellist, why he continues to practice four and five hours a day. Casals answered:“Because I think I am making progress.”

Ray Hines · Jan 16, 2015

I keep getting there and then I forget it all again. :dejection:

DoctorDino · Jan 16, 2015

Still trying.

I've been into photography for about 4 years now. I'll be editing a picture and think to myself "this shot could have been so much better if I...".

Trial and error. I'm comfortable using my camera; all the technical stuff, settings and whatnot, but my style is constantly evolving. I'm always trying to refine my style of photography and broaden my horizons, so to speak.

480sparky · Jan 16, 2015

I learned the basics in 4minutes, 28.3 seconds.

I forgot it within the next 12 seconds.

Forkie · Jan 16, 2015

I'd say it took me a couple of years to understand the controls in the exposure triangle. Still learning how to use them.

JustJazzie · Jan 16, 2015

Unfortunately, the "photography file" in my brain apparently has limited storage. Once I add in some new information I end up forgetting something Basic. Been behind a viewfinder for nearly 13 years now, with a few breaks in there.

snerd · Jan 16, 2015

I think you're talking about the "basic" concepts such as the exposure triangle and settings on my camera. It's been about 2 years since I first picked up a DSLR to learn the hobby, and I feel somewhat confident about said basics now. I can snap something, chimp, and immediately know what to change in settings, etc. That does not mean that I'm any better at it, just somewhat more comfortable with it.

weepete · Jan 16, 2015

limr said:
I'm still waiting to feel that way.

I'm only partially kidding.

I know I've gotten better at composition, but as I'm scanning a bunch of film I shot on a recent vacation and seeing that I overexposed a good number of them, I'm wondering if I've moved backwards. I can tell myself it's just that I misjudged the relative strength of the desert sun, but I suspect the real reason is that I've completely forgotten how to take a picture

A few misses are to be expected. My old journeyman used to say the man (or woman) who never made a mistake never made anything.

runnah said:
THE MUSICIAN: Pablo Casals, who performed at the UN recently, is 81. He agreed to have Robert Snyder make a movie short, “A Day in the Life of Pablo Casals.” Snyder asked Casals, the world’s foremost cellist, why he continues to practice four and five hours a day. Casals answered:“Because I think I am making progress.”

It sounds daft but I can totally relate to that. It keeps me going too.

sashbar said:
What is basic technical skills ?
I mean where is that line between basic and advanced in photography?

Somewhere between auto and bulb.

snerd said:
I think you're talking about the "basic" concepts such as the exposure triangle and settings on my camera. It's been about 2 years since I first picked up a DSLR to learn the hobby, and I feel somewhat confident about said basics now. I can snap something, chimp, and immediately know what to change in settings, etc. That does not mean that I'm any better at it, just somewhat more comfortable with it.

Spot on mate, that's exactly what I meant.

robbins.photo · Jan 16, 2015

weepete said:
I was just sitting thinking about my photography in general when I kinda realised that this is finally the point where I feel comfortable with the basics of using my camera.

That got me thinking about how long it's taken me to get to this point and it's been around 2 years since I made a conscious choice to try and improve my photography. I don't shoot every day and quite often will have spells where I put my camera down for a week or month or two.

So I was wondering how long it took you before you realised you had the basic technical skills down?

My answer? 6.