Peter Parker wannabe...

[Michael Cardenas]

Hey everyone. Hope you're all enjoying your photography pursuits. Anyway, I'm pretty much a complete novice and I'm looking to buy my first camera. My long-term goal is to develop a portfolio to submit as a resume. Obviously, I have alot to learn and accomplish before I get to that point so what I was wondering is, what are the main things I should be focusing on( ex: camera features etc) when considering what camera to buy? Thanks for the help

 

[AlanKlein]

First define what you think you might want to shoot? Do you plan to use it mainly on vacation when your travel? Do you plan on shooting a lot of kids or pets? Do you plan on printing the shots or just putting them on the web or in Facebook? Do you like to travel light or carry a lot of stuff? What experience with photography do you have?

Regarding resume, what kind of a job will you be looking for? That sounds like a long term pursuit.

 

[Fujidave]

All the above what Alan said, plus do you want to shoot animals/wildlife people places and architecture.

 

[Designer]

..what are the main things I should be focusing on( ex: camera features etc) when considering what camera to buy?

Hello and welcome!

I think maybe an "enthusiast level" DSLR to maximize the usefulness in working toward your goal.

 

[greybeard]

1) Master the operation of your chosen camera.
2) Study composition. I did this by looking a tons of pictures.
3) Master lighting, I did this by looking at tons of pictures and experimentation.

 

[Michael Cardenas]

Thanks for the reply Alan. Well on instinct the first thing that comes to mind as far as what I would like to shoot is... Nature, Animals, Sports, Fashion, Landmarks, People etc. As far as a job is concerned I'm not sure quite what to shoot for yet because I'm not sure where to set my expectations this early yet. What I mean is, A travel photographer sounds like it would be an ideal and amazing job but I'm assuming I would need tons of experience before I can think about reaching for something like that. Anyway what are your thoughts?

 

[Designer]

.. I'm assuming I would need tons of experience before I can think about reaching for something like that.

Not necessarily.

Raw experience at doing to wrong thing over and over for a long time is worth nothing.

If you can make superb photographs your first time out, you will save all that time and money getting useless experience.

I say learn the basics, learn your equipment, learn to see the shot, get the shot, and start selling yourself.

There are scads of wannabe professionals out there gaining all sorts of experience, but their stuff isn't selling very well.

 

[Michael Cardenas]

I'm already working on it myself but what would you classify as the basics?...

 

[AlanKlein]

I think designer had the right idea. Pick up a basic DSLR and just start shooting. Your desires will develop as to what you want to do.

 

[dennyr]

Are you saying you want to be a "Professional Photographer".?

 

[Designer]

I'm already working on it myself but what would you classify as the basics?...

I would include; how photography works, either film or digital, how a camera captures an image, what are the controls on a camera and what they do, composition, light, some terminology, what makes a good photograph and why some are not, etc.

As long as you're learning about photography, you should try to learn the facts, and ignore bad advice. Life is too short to learn something wrong and then later discover you have to re-learn the right way. What a waste of time.

 

[Michael Cardenas]

Thanks for all the replies everyone... I've narrowed my decision down to a purchasing a Nikon but for the sake of time will I be able to produce "professional quality" images with a $500 dollar or less camera?

 

[Overread]

Thanks for all the replies everyone... I've narrowed my decision down to a purchasing a Nikon but for the sake of time will I be able to produce "professional quality" images with a $500 dollar or less camera?

Today, right now? NO

Tomorrow, Nope

In a few months - well if you work hard and practice and learn you will be well on your way.


Even entry level DSLRS can do very well today and are more than enough for you to begin with. Sure more advanced cameras offer more options, but by and large the entry level of today in DSLR's are very solid performers. The key weakness is going to be you for a fair while yet. I don't mean that in a harsh way, just in a purely practical one that you are a self admitted beginner so its going to take time to get up to skill.

Note that it might be worth knowing that things like travel, wildlife, landscape basically don't pay the bills. Many who work in those fields do other jobs (photography or other) alongside; or they are exceptionally skilled at self marketing, business skills and get a lucky break here and there whilst being good at photography. What tends to sell are things like weddings, portraits, family, pets etc... Ergo memory photos where people have a personal connection to events and the subject.

Note I'm not saying wildilfe etc... can't work just that in todays market they are darn hard to get into.

 

[Designer]

..will I be able to produce "professional quality" images with a $500 dollar or less camera?

What defines "professional quality" in your book?

While I'd say it's possible, I will also point out that there is so much more to photography than the camera.

A careful reading of my post above might hint at a very important aspect of photography excellence is an artist's eye. If you can see the shot, and you know it's worth tripping the shutter, then you could theoretically produce "professional quality" photographs right out of the gate.

Are you "artistic" now? What other artistic endeavor have you done? Can you recognize an outstanding photograph when you see one? If that is you, then finding out how that photograph was made should be the easy part.

 

[Michael Cardenas]

For anyone still following this thread... A friend of mine pointed out to me the importance of RAW vs JPEG. While looking for cameras I don't seem to see any indication of file format anywhere. Why is that?