Where did you learn photography?

CleeM. · Jun 30, 2005

I'm new to this photography thing and I'm really starting to get into it. Sometimes i catch myself thinking, now that would be a good picture. So i was just wondering if you guys just learned as you went or if you have taken a course.

erniehatt · Jun 30, 2005

I got most of what I know from books and magazines. Ernie

spiralout · Jun 30, 2005

I picked it up myself when I took a the fall semester off last year. I'm self-taught, as I'm sure most of the others on the forum are, unless you count books, of course.

railman44 · Jun 30, 2005

Never took any courses. Self read when it came to f-stops, etc. I truly believe real artistic expression cannot be taught. It can be helped along but not taught. If you can't carry a tune in a bucket, nobody is going to teach you to sing. Most of us aren't Ansel Adams so don't become discouraged. If you like your work that's all that really matters. My .02 pesos...

clarinetJWD · Jun 30, 2005

I am mostly self-taught also, though I had help from Scott (SpiralOut)

Also, "THe Joy of Digital Photography" is a very good, corny titled, extremely thorough book that I'd certainly recommend

iSellJerseyShore · Jun 30, 2005

erniehatt said:
I got most of what I know from books and magazines. Ernie

Me too lots books, mags & On-Line reading.... As well as lots and lots of hands on experience... That is the best way to learn - SNAP SNAP SNAP and keep on SNAPPING!!!

Read & Apply what you have read, thats what I do.... I just recently started a little notebook with different tips and techniques to keep in mind when shooting...

-iSellJerseyShore

HoboSyke · Jul 1, 2005

All self taught, with a little help from the my cameras instruction manual.

essjayyell · Jul 1, 2005

I learnt the technical side in school and did a visual art course last year which had a photography class as part of it.

You'll continue learning as you go along. If you don't have a digital camera, write down the settings you use for each shot, so if something doesn't turn out right it's a bit easier to find out why, same goes for knowing why a shot did work..

sbalsama · Jul 1, 2005

Self taught. Its the only way to go unless you intend on being a professional in which case the education is usually necessary. Artists shouldn't have to goto school to learn their trade.

I am considering going to an art school just so I can take pictures for four years while still on my parent's tab

Photography isn't that difficult, I find it much harder to mentally find the shot. Taking the picture is just a choreographed, predetermined movement based on the meter. Printing it though is a tad harder and once again requires that creative eye.

Xmetal · Jul 1, 2005

Self-Taught through trial/error and experimentation.

Probably the steepest learning curve for me was learning how to gauge different light levels and messing around with Depth of Field.

ksmattfish · Jul 1, 2005

I started out on my own: reading books and visiting galleries and museums. I find that looking at lots and lots of real prints, framed and on the wall, really helps me because a framed print is really what I want to end up with. I still read a lot, and visit any photography and art exhibits I can find. I collect photography books almost as compulsively as I collect cameras.

As I became more interested in photography I started taking classes at the local community colleges, university, and art center. I still try to take at least one photography or art class/workshop a year, and I occasionally teach photography at the local arts center.

I worked in a professional photo lab for almost 4 years. Talking to amateur and pro photogs all day every day probably taught me more than anything.

Read a lot, look a lot, and talk to other photogs. That's how to learn.

terri · Jul 1, 2005

Self-taught, as in, fumbling my way for many years without really understanding what I was doing. I was shooting on an aperture-priority camera without appreciating what that meant.

I took a few classes at a local photography school which helped me to understand the basics. I would agree that "artistic vision" can't necessarily be taught, but I think basic photography classes are invaluable. You are taught to think about what you are doing, which, in turn, forces you to consider your "artistic vision", as it were.

I hope to pick up more classes as I go along.

303villain · Jul 1, 2005

i took some photo classes in highschool, and im currently a photography major in college, but im being forced to change majors. i want to keep taking classes, so im going to do that from the art institute here. i feel that the best things ive learned are from trial and error, but i think classes are invaluable, just to learn some technical things, and stuff like that.

SLOShooter · Jul 1, 2005

I took two photography classes in HS and since then it's just been reading and trial and error.

mentos_007 · Jul 1, 2005

HERE!!!!
I have never bought a book about photography... I joined the forum about a year ago and I learned alot!!!! I am also a member of local photography society and I learn a bit there... well.. there I have an opportunity to shoot with pros so I learn from them. The basic things like exposure or focus I learned from my dad, who used to love photography... now he enjoys his video cam...