Just starting out.

[steviewhitt]

Hello,
I've just brought a Canon EOS 600d, and I have to admit I haven't really got a clue what I'm doing.

I have started buying monthly photo magazines, in the hope I can learn from them, I am also reading through the treads on here.

I hope to take pictures of models, landscapes and my family, but at the moment it feels like I've just got an expensive point and shoot camera!

[ianpinion]

Hi Steve,

Sounds like you're lacking a little bit of confidence and knowledge of the basics, so my suggestion would be to enrol on a beginners course. You should find one locally, but be sure to check their testimonials and for reviews on their courses before you book, as some are better than others.

I'm not sure whereabouts you're based, else I maybe able to give you some personal recommendations.

In the meantime, have a read up about the relationships between aperture, shutterspeed and ISO to see how each will effect the photograph you're about to capture and progress on from there. The other thing is to go out and use your camera and see what happens. Try the 'P' setting for starters, rather than Auto and don't be frightened to experiment. The main thing is to review your shots and learn from your mistakes and successes.

[wave01]

first there is good news it doesnt cost anything to take a picture. next move away from the auto setting try P it will give you more control you can set a focus point and change the ISO setting. from there its on to the creative settings
AV you set the aperture camera sets the shutter speed as above read up Aperture and what it does quick answer small F number small depth of field large number greater the depth of field
TV you set the shutter speed camera sets aperture.
you can then take lots of shots and by looking at the exif data you see what settings you had and did they or did they not work.
try an enrol in a basic camera course if not look at joining a local camera club

[Jediboy]

We all started here.
It can take a bit of time to make progress, but stick with it and you will. Photography is a bit like golf in some respects, you can spend hours practising, and just when you think you're getting to grips with it it all goes wrong!

There are loads of good tutorials and advice pages on the Internet, but its also really important to read the manual.
The home page on this site also has plenty of tutorials so may be worth a look. But as already mentioned, get bout and tae loads of photos. Review them and see what works. It's. great way to learn.

Good luck, and enjoy.

[nick_gray]

Originally Posted by Jediboy

Photography is a bit like golf in some respects

I'm not very good at that either

[Jediboy]

Originally Posted by nick_gray

I'm not very good at that either

I used to be! Then I got married and had kids.

[steviewhitt]

I hope it's not like golf, I can't play!

[Dukatum]

Hi Steve,

Much like you I brought myself a camera and wasn't sure where to begin about a month ago.
I found a very good starting point is to either read the manual (no joking here) or if someone has published one, buy a guide book based on your camera model.

I did the latter, and very glad I did as it actually covered general photography learning (ISO, shutter speed, Aperture, JPEG Vs raw, rules of 3rds, etc) and at the same time it covered every feature to do with my camera. The buttons, the menu options, etc it was all covered in more detail than the actual manual it self.

But don't just sit back with the theory from the book, I'm sure every photographer here will tell you that the best way to learn is to shot pictures. Stop and think about what you are shooting, take the shot then review your shot with a critical eye. What would you had preferred if you took it again and then learn how to achieve that.

[Mike Chase]

Hi Stevie! The best thing to do is to read your manual cover to cover and master all the keys and knobs of your camera. Then, do a lot of reading, my blog has a lot of articles that are great for beginners, you should try it out: http://shootdigitalpicslikethepros.c...-forum-support

[Jonny_mac]

Hi stevie

I started in the same boat as you! I bought myself my first DSLR without a clue how to use it or what any of the buttons and settings did. But I knew what I wanted to capture with it. I've never been on a course or had any tutoring but now i produce landscapes that sell.
Like everybody else says, read the manual from cover to cover; believe it or not this is a great starting point to understanding the relationships between aperture and shutter speeds. Also just get out there and take photos! Photograph everything! Trial and error is the best way to learn, if the results aren't what you expected, find out why and work on that. The internet is a great resource for troubleshooting and advice.
There is a lot you can learn from the internet too, but have a go yourself at anything that interests you!
I wish you the best of luck