Where to begin?

[MLeeK]

Who said you can't learn by jumping straight into a DSLR? It's a whole lot easier to learn on a DSLR than on a point and shoot.

 

[Light Guru]

Oh and about learning photography, I agree with you on building your way up. I went from pin hole, film, compact digital, DSLR, then instamatic for fun. You can't say that it's not possible to learn by jumping straight to DSLR's though it wouldn't really be smart to

I think all new photographers should start with film.

 

[rokvi]

That was all you had to say? What about learning "how" first. Anyone can buy a reasonable camera. But what about the skill set that one needs in order to capture saleable images?
What about learning marketing strategies to keep ones business alive? And for that matter. What about learning how to run a business, or even start one up?
Its a different story if the OP just wants a better camera to take snaps of their family and friends. But "To make it into my job", requires a lot more than a T2i and "A good prime/zoom lens and a good flash"!

Learn how and why before you learn what and when so you can capture who at where.

Oh and about learning photography, I agree with you on building your way up. I went from pin hole, film, compact digital, DSLR, then instamatic for fun. You can't say that it's not possible to learn by jumping straight to DSLR's though it wouldn't really be smart to

Film or digital doesn't matter, its the end product that counts. The fundamentals of photography are what I'm talking about. "what makes an image aesthetically appealing". And mostly for a wider community is what we are talking about here.

 

[charlie76]

I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job.

He he he.....ho ho ho...snicker snicker.

Now I'll go back and read some of the responses...I bet there are some good ones

 

[charlie76]

I wonder where oh-hey-Tyler went. I bet he'd have a good response to this one

 

[SCraig]

Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

As you may have guessed we see this kind of post quite frequently. It's very much like a young boy seeing his first fire truck and deciding he's going to be a fireman. But, some boys do become firemen, so by all means go for it. Just understand that there is a LOT more (let me emphasize that there is a ***LOT*** more) that just pointing a camera at someone and pressing the shutter.

If you plan on a career in photography start learning now and never stop. As others have said start with exposure. This is the cornerstone of photography, and if you learn nothing you absolutely, positively, MUST have a thorough understanding of exposure. You will NEVER succeed without understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO relate to each other, and the pros and cons of sacrificing one to enhance another. Then move to composition, depth of field, metering, lighting, and everything else that you absolutely must understand. In between throw in every business class that you can find. Once you have a couple of years under your belt, and a decent portfolio to present, find someone who will allow you to shoot second camera with them.

But remember this: A profession in photography is a PROFESSION. It is no different from any other profession; doctor, lawyer, engineer, whatever. If you take a job you will be expected to produce professional results regardless of the subject or conditions. There are no do-overs, there are no excuses. You cannot tell a couple that you are sorry their wedding photographs didn't come out that well and you'll be glad to refund their initial payment. You are not allowed to tell a client that you are sorry the shots of their son's first football game came out so dark, but you expected more light to be available. You cannot tell an editor that you missed the shots because your batteries gave out. If you accept a job you will be EXPECTED to produce professional results, the first time, every time, with no excuses. This one statement is what separates a true professional photographer from a professional fauxtographer.

Start Here or Here. Both are good, both are worth going through.

After you do that post some shots here that you feel are good so we can tear them apart. And we will tear them apart. We aren't your friends or family and we won't tell you it's good if it isn't. We don't care if you get mad, all we care about is that you learn from it after you cool down. We see "6-Month Pros" here every day. They are convinced that they are the next Ansel Adams (you do know who he is, right?), and they are usually posting stuff that only be marginal on Facebook. There are a LOT of highly experienced, truly professional, working photographers on this forum. I'm not one of them. They have been where you want to go, and they can make you better and are willing to do so. But only if you learn from your mistakes. That choice is yours.

Enjoy the trip! It's a long road but worthwhile if you can stand the lumps.

 

[Light Guru]

Not really sure where to begin on here? I have a little point and shoot camera and love taking pictures.. so I am going to make it into my job. What camera does everyone love out there? I need something in the 700 to 900 dollar price range. I have heard the nikon d3200 is good but not really sure? I will be taking tons of pictures of little kids so I need something that takes many in a row in case they move before I can get it the first time. Also what is a good site to edit your work on?I am just starting out im kinda in a fog. What website do you all use to buy the pictures from? Thanks in advance for the help

As you may have guessed we see this kind of post quite frequently. It's very much like a young boy seeing his first fire truck and deciding he's going to be a fireman. But, some boys do become firemen, so by all means go for it. Just understand that there is a LOT more (let me emphasize that there is a ***LOT*** more) that just pointing a camera at someone and pressing the shutter.

If you plan on a career in photography start learning now and never stop. As others have said start with exposure. This is the cornerstone of photography, and if you learn nothing you absolutely, positively, MUST have a thorough understanding of exposure. You will NEVER succeed without understanding how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO relate to each other, and the pros and cons of sacrificing one to enhance another. Then move to composition, depth of field, metering, lighting, and everything else that you absolutely must understand. In between throw in every business class that you can find. Once you have a couple of years under your belt, and a decent portfolio to present, find someone who will allow you to shoot second camera with them.

But remember this: A profession in photography is a PROFESSION. It is no different from any other profession; doctor, lawyer, engineer, whatever. If you take a job you will be expected to produce professional results regardless of the subject or conditions. There are no do-overs, there are no excuses. You cannot tell a couple that you are sorry their wedding photographs didn't come out that well and you'll be glad to refund their initial payment. You are not allowed to tell a client that you are sorry the shots of their son's first football game came out so dark, but you expected more light to be available. You cannot tell an editor that you missed the shots because your batteries gave out. If you accept a job you will be EXPECTED to produce professional results, the first time, every time, with no excuses. This one statement is what separates a true professional photographer from a professional fauxtographer.

Start Here or Here. Both are good, both are worth going through.

After you do that post some shots here that you feel are good so we can tear them apart. And we will tear them apart. We aren't your friends or family and we won't tell you it's good if it isn't. We don't care if you get mad, all we care about is that you learn from it after you cool down. We see "6-Month Pros" here every day. They are convinced that they are the next Ansel Adams (you do know who he is, right?), and they are usually posting stuff that only be marginal on Facebook. There are a LOT of highly experienced, truly professional, working photographers on this forum. I'm not one of them. They have been where you want to go, and they can make you better and are willing to do so. But only if you learn from your mistakes. That choice is yours.

Enjoy the trip! It's a long road but worthwhile if you can stand the lumps.

Amazingly well put. Perhaps everyone should read this when joining the forum.