Very new to photography

[cc7117]

I am very new to photography. I actually just bought my camera (Nikon D3100) only a few months ago. I have no clue how to really run it, besides changing the automatic settings, and taking pictures. How did everyone get to know their camera and their abilities? Also, how did everyone get into photography? I am wanting to do families and babies and such. I have been taking pictures of my kids and have been told I have a natural eye for photography, but I have no clue how to nurture that into a business.

 

[fenderjaguar]

Take a 1000 bad pictures and learn from them! I myself took a photography class back in high school using a film camera and developing in a dark room. Although I can't remember how the hell to do that anymore I did learn the basics of photography! If I were you I would go on YouTube and look at every video you can find as well as getting your hands on books by people such as Michael Freeman. I especially found his teachings helpful. On YouTube a few channels that I have learned a lot from as well as not being bored to death are "Fro Knows Photo", a dude who's name is Jared Polin and "Snapchick". Also I would start in the automatic and creative settings on your camera until you understand concepts of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Just get the basics down and once you start to understand that the camera being in those creative modes will help teach you. Look at what your camera sets for you automatically and start making adjustments to it to see what happens when you change something and you will learn the relationship between those settings and how they directly effect each other. Then when you get brave head into manual mode and try to get the camera to do what you want.

 

[MTVision]

I am very new to photography. I actually just bought my camera (Nikon D3100) only a few months ago. I have no clue how to really run it, besides changing the automatic settings, and taking pictures. How did everyone get to know their camera and their abilities? Also, how did everyone get into photography? I am wanting to do families and babies and such. I have been taking pictures of my kids and have been told I have a natural eye for photography, but I have no clue how to nurture that into a business.

You have a ways to go before thinking about a photography business.

Most importantly read your manual. It might have come on a CD and is a couple hundred pages long. Nikons manuals are fairly easy to read an are packed with all kinds of information. If you don't understand something - google it.

Buy "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson so you can learn how to use your camera as something other then a point and shoot. It's a fairly short, easy to understand book that teaches you about exposure and how to shoot in manual mode.

Www.cambridgeincolour.com <----- a little dry but some helpful informative tutorials.

Learn about metering modes, auto focus modes, white balance, exposure, compositional strategies. Post some pictures here for critique. The best way to find out if your any good is when strangers (who know about photography) tell you your good. Friends and family and acquaintances will always gush an praise you about your photos.

Photography takes a lot of patience and practice. There is so much to learn and master but it's worth it and it's fun!

 

[nmoody]

Also just purchase D3100 back in Nov. I am currently shooting full manual and feeling comfortable with it.

What I did to get to this point was the following:
1. Read and fully understand the user manual
2. Read this forum daily
3. Read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
4. Read the Digital Photography series by Scott Kelby
5. And most important get out there and take pictures. Try what you have learned and use the knowledge to better understand what you have read.

 

[KmH]

There are a number of links and a book at the start of this thread - http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-forum/267492-info-those-new-photography.html

 

[lauraxlovegood]

I got into photography during my freshman year in high school. I spent a lot of time looking at pictures during my art basics class and took classes after that. What really solidified my desire for photography was all the compliments I got from friends. So after that I've been taking pictures of friends and family (the most fun has been shooting my 2 year old sister, Harley). As for learning about photography, I would do what the above said. Read some books and watch some videos online

 

[cc7117]

Also just purchase D3100 back in Nov. I am currently shooting full manual and feeling comfortable with it.

What I did to get to this point was the following:
1. Read and fully understand the user manual
2. Read this forum daily
3. Read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
4. Read the Digital Photography series by Scott Kelby
5. And most important get out there and take pictures. Try what you have learned and use the knowledge to better understand what you have read.

I bought a Lightroom 3 book by Scott Kelby, but I bought a Digital SLR Photography and a book about the camera written by David Busch. Is he any good?

 

[cc7117]

Take a 1000 bad pictures and learn from them! I myself took a photography class back in high school using a film camera and developing in a dark room. Although I can't remember how the hell to do that anymore I did learn the basics of photography! If I were you I would go on YouTube and look at every video you can find as well as getting your hands on books by people such as Michael Freeman. I especially found his teachings helpful. On YouTube a few channels that I have learned a lot from as well as not being bored to death are "Fro Knows Photo", a dude who's name is Jared Polin and "Snapchick". Also I would start in the automatic and creative settings on your camera until you understand concepts of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Just get the basics down and once you start to understand that the camera being in those creative modes will help teach you. Look at what your camera sets for you automatically and start making adjustments to it to see what happens when you change something and you will learn the relationship between those settings and how they directly effect each other. Then when you get brave head into manual mode and try to get the camera to do what you want.

Haha, I have seen a few of the videos made by "Fro Knows Photo". His videos are funny and he produces awesome pictures! Thank you so much for your advice!!

 

[nmoody]

I bought a Lightroom 3 book by Scott Kelby, but I bought a Digital SLR Photography and a book about the camera written by David Busch. Is he any good?

Dont know that one but I am also new like you. Maybe someone else here has read it. Sounds like you are off to a good start!

 

[Jeff92]

Youtube is your friend when learning this. I also read understanding exposure. After reading understanding exposure I feel like I know 100x more than I already did after reading up on photography a week or two before actually getting the camera. Youtube videos will help you learn certain areas you don't fully understand.

 

[DiskoJoe]

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...forum-functions-pictoral-guide-using-tpf.html

Share some photos!

 

[KmH]

I also read understanding exposure.

Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

 

[imagemaker46]

Just keep using your camera, shoot lots, don't worry about the mistakes, don't believe everything that family and friends say, I'm assuming that it was family and friends that said you had a "natural eye" At this point don't even start thinking about photography as a business. Figure out how your camera works first and just enjoy it.

 

[Fred Berg]

Photography FAQs Exposure and Photography FAQs Lighting from Chris Weston are two excellent and very accessible books.

 

[PapaMatt]

I got into photography in High School then in the service with Stars & Strips in Korea. You never stop learning, just read and practice, in this day and age you have all the tools, the internet and a camera that thinks for you lol, auto this auto that, back in my day you had to do everything, even develop the film, :lmao:

Just have fun with it and take photos and read, and KNOW YOUR CAMERA and lens!