Question about LEARNING photography

[analog.universe]

I go through phases... sometimes I shoot a lot and never read anything, sometimes I read constantly and look at lots of other people's work without picking up the camera for days. I would say, do you what you think you need to do when you need to do it. If you're feeling confident and artsy, go shoot, if you can't be bothered to go outside, or there's something nagging at your brain, then research. You really just need to do all of it, when it happens is a personal choice.

 

[MLeeK]

It depends on how you learn. I personally think it is easier to work with camera and book together. Read-then do it and see what happens. Read some more, try something else and see what happens.
Book knowledge is great, but you have to apply it and that can be very different. you need both

 

[KmH]

Trial and error is the slowest and least rewarding way to learn anything.

So you have to read, and save time by trying to avoid making the same mistakes others have made. Consider all the newbies getting a 50 mm f/1.8, and shooting everything using the 50 mm at f/1.8 and then wondering why nothing the shoot is sharply focused. Not only do they not understand how the lens works, they have no clue what depth-of-field is, nor that there are 2 types of auto foucs points either.

When film was the standard the developing labs didi a lot of color balancing other post process image management that digital shooters have to do themselves. Add the greater complexity of todays digital cameras and you have to gain an understanding of several different techologies: auto focus and it's differnt modes, white balance, file types, post process image editing, color management, sharpening, lighting, etc.

So to learn photography today requires persuing knowledge in several parallel, related fields of study.

 

[EIngerson]

imo, it's up to the individual.

some learn great from just reading. some from hands on.

personally, i need my camera in hand for it to sink in.

i read, i watch videos, but the whole time the camera is in my hand...

though, i haven't taken many photos, because i'm using film. for things that i need to see an instant result in a lesson, i use my point & shoot which offers full manual, so i can do what they are explaining.

You're just as bad as me then. I have my camera right there next to me just in case I have to grab it to try what I'm reading about.

 

[nmoody]

I have been having good luck with the following so far:

1. Read the camera manual
2. Use what I learn and play with camera
3. Read Digital Photography 1 by Scott Kelby
4. Play with camera
5. Read Digital Photography 2 by Scott Kelby
6. Use what I learn and play with camera
7. Read Digital Photography 3 by Scott Kelby
8. Use what I learn and play with camera
9. Read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
----- This is where I am at right now, here is what I plan on doing in the future -----
10. Use what I learn and play with camera
11. Read a yet to be determined book on composition
12. Use what I learn and play with camera
13. Get a speedlight
14. Use what I learn and play with camera/speedlight
15. Get a 50mm 1.8
16. Use what I learn and play with camera/new lens

I am starting off slow and building off of what I learn making sure not to overwhelm myself. Now I have gone back and reread material as necessary if what I tried didn't work out correctly. Also in between all this I have been reading TPF and seeing what issues other have and their resolutions really have helped.

 

[enzodm]

More or less B. for me. Anyway, in addition to technical aspects, try to look at good pictures too (i.e. Masters of Photography): they help to develop some taste, which is not given by technical knowledge only. Then you may find yourself definitely without hope (like I feel sometimes), but at least you enjoyed something nice .

 

[jowensphoto]

Great responses, EVERYONE! Thanks for letting me peek inside your head

 

[Compaq]

Theory is needed to know what you're doing. Practice is needed to understand what you're reading.

 

[Joey_Ricard]

Jess,

Read when you have reading time (before bed, waiting on someone etc), practice and shoot when you have that time.

I always suggest to use the lessons you learned by shooting, then go over your shots and see what you could have done better or differently.
You should be your own worst critic, you know what looks good. You don't strike me as one to just post a photo on here and let the world tell you how to do it, but you listen and learn. (sounds like a fortune cookie reading)

 

[DiskoJoe]

shoot and read. You need to gain experience by doing to apply what you have learned. If you dont goo shoot its like reading a math book but not working out any problems. What would you really learn this way?