I am new to photography and I am anxious to learn, but I am overwhelmed with all there is to learn. Can anyone suggest some blogs, books, websites, workshops, etc. for a beginner to learn more about photography. I am mostly interested in learning how to take better photos on manual mode, how to set up shots, how to not miss those picture perfect moments, and I would also like to learn more about lenses and figure out what kind of lens to use when. All suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
i would highly suggest finding a class to take - like at a community college, or from a local photographer. it is SO much easier to learn in a hands-on environment. aside from that, get a "for Dummies" book for your specific camera if you can. Here are a couple of books I used in beginner level classes. Good luck!
Title: Westwood Light and Lens Bundle: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age
Author: Robert Hirsch
Edition / Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN: 978-0240808550
Title: Basics Creative Photography: Design Principles
Author: Jeremy Webb
Edition / Copyright: 2010
Publisher: AVA Publishing
ISBN: 978-2940411368
@sdpace Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking about a community college course, but wasn't sure if that was a good route. Thanks for suggesting that. I will look into it. Also, thanks for the book suggestions.
I like National Geographic Complete Photography. It is a great introduction book on the art of taking photos, what makes a photo great, latest techniques and equipment, photographing your world, resources. Each topic gives background, example photos, terminology and the like. It is not as indepth as a text book, but will give you a great foundation to build on http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/books/photography/national-geographic-complete-photography
go to your local library and browse the photography section. when i first started, i brought piles and piles of books home (and i still do frequently to a lesser degree).
the basics of digital photography are really quite simple, once you learn the ISO-->shutter speed-->aperture relationship.
then there are books on the artistic aspects such as composition, depth of field, perspective etc.
finally, once you've got some of that under your belt, it's a great exercise to just look at other people's photographs. You can check out famous photographers whose work is widely accepted as great as well as amateurs on flickr/365 etc.
But most importantly, is to pick up the camera and apply what you have learnt.
Thanks everyone for replying. Alot of good suggestions. Now I have a good idea where to at least get started. Again, I really appreciate the help. Thanks!
@lianapalermo I see you have a Nikon, there is an app for iPhone called "learn and explore ". Free and lots of nice tips, with a fundamentals of photography section. Nikon has also a digitutor online for your camera. That doesn't replace the books or classes, but they are nice extra resources
Hi
I would not buy the Dummies book - they are not great, however i found this little jewel that was suggested on many websites to be the most effective:
Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera - Bryan Peterson
On Youtube: Adorama TV - Digital Photography 1 on 1 is also amazing - here you visually see why and how.
I studied photography in 2001 - but i learned more buy reading books, watching online video tutorials and just generally experementing.
The best and cheapest place to start is to read your camera manual. And when you finish read it again. Trust me you will be shocked by the amount of information you find in there. And then play :)
I'm with Monica @meisen325 ...sign up for the newsletters for Digital Photography School and read the beginner section. I found that site was a huge help and that's how I found this site!
Read anything and everything, go play, repeat.
Good gold construction criticism does well too. If you let people know you're open to their opinions and any tips they'll put you on the right road, especially with composition.
Shoot like crazy. The more pics you take the more comfortable with the camera you become.
I assume you have the zoom packaged with your camera? Pick a subject and shoot it from different angles, with different zoom length. Zoom in, fill the frame with the subject snap. Then zoom out, move forward 'till the subject fills the frame. Zoom in as close as you can, put the camera in A and shoot the same photo while changing the aperture. In other words, experiment with purpose.
What really helped me was a book david busch specifically about my camera, it was indepth and better than the manual Because it showed you how to accomplish different photos. He has a bunch of books for different cameras. Also the Digital Photography School site is really helpful.
KenRockwell.com , is a great website. He explains things in a very simple way, easy to understand & very informative on all subjects photography, from cameras, lenses, to how to take better pictures. Check it out, he updates almost daily. It's helped me out a lot!
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Title: Westwood Light and Lens Bundle: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age
Author: Robert Hirsch
Edition / Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN: 978-0240808550
Title: Basics Creative Photography: Design Principles
Author: Jeremy Webb
Edition / Copyright: 2010
Publisher: AVA Publishing
ISBN: 978-2940411368
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/
And also Pioneer Woman, as jinx suggested.
the basics of digital photography are really quite simple, once you learn the ISO-->shutter speed-->aperture relationship.
then there are books on the artistic aspects such as composition, depth of field, perspective etc.
finally, once you've got some of that under your belt, it's a great exercise to just look at other people's photographs. You can check out famous photographers whose work is widely accepted as great as well as amateurs on flickr/365 etc.
But most importantly, is to pick up the camera and apply what you have learnt.
I would not buy the Dummies book - they are not great, however i found this little jewel that was suggested on many websites to be the most effective:
Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera - Bryan Peterson
On Youtube: Adorama TV - Digital Photography 1 on 1 is also amazing - here you visually see why and how.
I studied photography in 2001 - but i learned more buy reading books, watching online video tutorials and just generally experementing.
Good luck its a great journey!
Read anything and everything, go play, repeat.
I assume you have the zoom packaged with your camera? Pick a subject and shoot it from different angles, with different zoom length. Zoom in, fill the frame with the subject snap. Then zoom out, move forward 'till the subject fills the frame. Zoom in as close as you can, put the camera in A and shoot the same photo while changing the aperture. In other words, experiment with purpose.