Quote:
Originally Posted by ianpinion
Pete,
Have you heard of that phrase, don't try to run before you can walk? Take things one step at a time and learn by trying things with your camera.
You mention that you feel you need to learn more about lenses, but what specifically? I agree that using a compact has its limitations and some compacts are more limited than others. Do you understand the basic relationships between ISO, Aperture and Shutter speeds? Are you aware that a wide angle lens will exagerate the perspective and a telephoto lens will compress perspective? Do you know how the aperture and focal length can effect the depth of field? If not, I found that by attending a course that taught me all the basics helped me get to grips with these fundamental rules and how by adjusting one setting it effects all the rest. The course only lasted six hours, with the morning spent going through all the theory and then the afternoon was spent putting it all into practice with your camera.
The next step is to hone your ability to see a shot, be able to study the scene and clear away any unwanted elements from it that could spoil the end result. You can then identify what your subject is more clearly and compose your shot in away that will make it the main focus of attention. You also have to improve both your knowledge and skills of editing, so when you see a potential shot you want to capture, you can envisage how the final image will look before you've even pressed the shutter release.
In actual fact, with photography you never ever stop learning.
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You're very right Ian, and I reckon I do need to go on a course just to get to grips with the basics Tthe one I went on on Saturday (by Going Digital) was 6 hours as well, and worth the time and cost, so will look into it. I know a few things but I could know more, as you say, you never stop learning.
I don't think my eye is too bad, thought obviously there is always room for improvement, and once I've moved from the compact world to the SLR world, I know a lot more options will open up. I have Photoshops CS3, and can do some basic things, and have a copy of Martin Evening's 'CS3 for Photographers', plus a mate or two are pretty handy in that area, so I shold be ok there.
But I will keep on the hunt for imformation and experience. Thanks for your help
I may well pop up again somewher soon! :P
24-11-09, 10:08 AM
