Where Should I Start Now?

[jdsfighter]

So I very recently have gotten into photography, and have been attempting to learn as much as possible to make myself better. I've only really snapped off a couple thousand photos already, and while some of them have come out really well, many of them have not.

A few of my issues thus far have been:
1. Controlling lighting
2. Composition
3. General DSLR learning curve

As an employee at Best Buy, I can get a lot of equipment for as much as half off in certain circumstances. So I feel getting a decent tripod, lighting, filters, lenses should be one of my first steps, but I'm not sure what all I should get.

So far, I've gathered a bit of equipment, but not much.

My real question is, what should I focus on first? I'm still learning the basics, and as I progress, I want to be able to improve. I know a good tripod will be vital at some point, but what should I look at, what lighting set ups should I look at?

 

[Stradawhovious]

My real question is, what should I focus on first? I'm still learning the basics, and as I progress, I want to be able to improve. I know a good tripod will be vital at some point, but what should I look at, what lighting set ups should I look at?

You don't need a lot of equipment to learn the basics. Actually I find a lot of equipment gets in the way.

This advice may be worthless depending on what type of photography you are interested in, but I recommend getting a general purpose prime lens, like a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 and start learning about the exposure triangle. That is going to be the foundation of understanding how the mechanics of photography work.

After that, search the forum, take a look at what others are doing, and see if you can't find out how people are acheiving the results that you enjoy. What/where are the lights? How is it composed, and how is it appealing to you? etc. etc. etc.

But make sure you know how your camera works, and how shutter speed, ISO and aperture affect the exposure. If you master that, you will have a solid foundation, and be a good clip ahead of the game.

Remeber what you paid for this advice, and know it comes from someone who is terminally amateur.

 

[dylanstraub]

A tripod is essential and should not be overlooked. Shooting with a tripod helped me think about composition and my photo's show it. I'd be thinking about getting one before I upgrade to a new lens. Just my 2$.

 

[Stradawhovious]

A tripod is essential and should not be overlooked. Shooting with a tripod helped me think about composition and my photo's show it. I'd be thinking about getting one before I upgrade to a new lens. Just my 2$.

In the OP's sigline it states he has a dynex 60" tripod which should be more than adequate for a beginner.

 

[KmH]

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-forum/267492-info-those-new-photography.html

 

[Joshonator]

would recommend getting a 50mm 1.8 to practise composition. It helps because it forces you to move around when composing, I tend to get lazy with zoom lenses. Here's a good explanation of lens perspective Lens Perspective Technique - YouTubeA fixed aperture lens is best if you want to get serious. But you should see what you want to focus on the most and then get equipment based on that. I would definitely recommend learning the exposure triangle before buying any type of lighting equipment.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Photography Compositon Tips and Tutorials: Things You Need To Know

 

[davisphotos]

Absolutely get the 50mm f1.8, and use it on a tripod. It will force you to move around and to think about composition. And without a stupid zoom ring to distract you, you can focus on looking at what the light is doing. It's only going to take up about 2 weeks of your budget, so I would say it's a no brainer.

 

[jdsfighter]

Absolutely get the 50mm f1.8, and use it on a tripod. It will force you to move around and to think about composition. And without a stupid zoom ring to distract you, you can focus on looking at what the light is doing. It's only going to take up about 2 weeks of your budget, so I would say it's a no brainer.

I've been debating between the f1.8 (~$130) and the f1.4 (~$370) 50mm. However, since I'm an employee at Best Buy, I have a few perks. Let's just assume I can get the f1.8 50mm right now, for free, or if I wait a few weeks, I can get the f1.4 for approximately $200, should I go ahead and just get the 1.8 or save for the 1.4.

 

[o hey tyler]

I've been debating between the f1.8 (~$130) and the f1.4 (~$370) 50mm. However, since I'm an employee at Best Buy, I have a few perks. Let's just assume I can get the f1.8 50mm right now, for free, or if I wait a few weeks, I can get the f1.4 for approximately $200, should I go ahead and just get the 1.8 or save for the 1.4.

Get the f/1.4. No question. Much better build quality when compared to the f/1.8, and it has improved optics as well as more aperture blades.

 

[Stradawhovious]

I've been debating between the f1.8 (~$130) and the f1.4 (~$370) 50mm. However, since I'm an employee at Best Buy, I have a few perks. Let's just assume I can get the f1.8 50mm right now, for free, or if I wait a few weeks, I can get the f1.4 for approximately $200, should I go ahead and just get the 1.8 or save for the 1.4.

Get the f/1.4. No question. Much better build quality when compared to the f/1.8, and it has improved optics as well as more aperture blades.

I was going to buy the Canon 50mm 1.8 for a friend as a gift, until the clerk at Best Buy dropped it 3 inches to the counter, and the lens disassembled itself.

Seriously, it broke beyond repair from a 3 inch drop. Get the 1.4. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[TCampbell]

DEFINITELY get the 1.4. Overall resolution & contrast from the two lenses is neck & neck, but the 1.4 has 8 aperture blades (vs. 5 on the 1.8) which provides a noticeable improvement to background blur, but possibly even more important is that the 1.4 is a USM lens. The USM focusing motors are quick & snappy. If you were shooting action where the focus distance was constantly changing, the 1.4 would do a fairly decent job of keeping up, but the 1.8... not so much.

If you can get the 1.4 for nearly half of what it would cost new, then you should DEFINITELY take advantage of that.

 

[jdsfighter]

My other option is, I can run and get the f1.8 today (free), and start practicing with it. In a few weeks, I can save a little bit of money, grab the f1.4 (for close to retail ~$350), and then sell the f1.8.

Should I just wait, or should I just go grab the 1.8?

 

[Joshonator]

I would say if you can get the 1.4 for 200$ like you said earlier, get it. If not buy a 1.8 use it for a while and you can resale it used on Kijiji whenever you want for 90-100 bucks or so if you keep it in good condition. If you're a beginner you don't really even know if 50mm is an ideal focal length for you.

 

[jdsfighter]

I would say if you can get the 1.4 for 200$ like you said earlier, get it. If not buy a 1.8 use it for a while and you can resale it used on Kijiji whenever you want for 90-100 bucks or so if you keep it in good condition. If you're a beginner you don't really even know if 50mm is an ideal focal length for you.

I'm thinking I'm going to just go run to grab the f/1.8 for now. Since I've only been using the 18-55mm kit lens, it should be something to play with for now, but I'm going to make a thread with a larger breakdown of what I shoot and some information on it in the Canon Lenses section.