Just starting, with no cash.

[Sabin]

I'm just starting into photograpy, and I really like it. I want to take better, more professional pictures, but I don't have any money to spend on equipment, so it will all have to be technique and other things like that. I have a Kodak easyshare z760 and a tripod (found it at a thrift store for $20) that doesn't wobble or anything, and that's it. Where do I start?

 

[JIP]

You could start by defining what you mean by "professional" pictures.

 

[Sabin]

I mean pictures that look like they could be found in a publication instead of the family photo album. I'm most interested in landscape and nature photos, but the place where I suck the most is when I'm photographing people. I want to be able to recognize the times when an opportunity for a really good picture comes up before I miss the chance to take it. I want to know how to find out what angles to use, how to use the lighting available, where to get information on possible locations ect.

 

[Sim]

Scott Kelby's "The Digital Photography Book" has a whole chapter dedicated to tips for photographing people. There's also a chapter on shooting landscapes. Some people don't like his sense of humor but the tips are great.

 

[brileyphotog]

Yeah read a book and the threads here. When you get the basics down you're going to need a better camera because you'll be seeing the moments and then missing them because of equipment.