I know we're not quite halfway into the year, but a comment someone made in another thread started me thinking - what have you already learned in the course of doing this project?
I've learned how to actually use the macro setting on my camera to make bokeh (and what "bokeh" is) and how to adjust the contrast and saturation on my photos. At least, those are the lessons I use almost every day. And now I've ordered my first dSLR, which should be arriving at the end of the week, so I think I'm about to have a learning surge! What are the things you've learned that you just can't believe you didn't know before?
oh wow great thread...like flamez, I have learned how to use the manual settings and how to manipulate settings to get great effects...and last but not least graduated from Picnik (which is wonderful) to Lightroom... (:
I am learning a lot about Photoshop and setting up shots. I was pretty familiar with manual settings so I needed to learn the set up and processing angle. I am still definitely working on it but I am also more comfortable with it than before.
great thread. I've learnt to compose my shots better and put more thought into them. Slowly starting to learn the manual operation of my camera as well.
I have learned to delete bad photos (or rather, take far more photos, and then delete the superfluous ones!).
I've also got into the habit of shooting in "manual", although sometimes I reckon I'd probably get better results from letting the camera do it for me (but then I'd learn nothing, right?!).
2 months ago I didn't know what HDR was, and I didn't know you could get a macro effect from putting your lens on back to front.
I'll be happy enough if I learn as much in every 2 months to come!
I've learnt not to worry about what anybody else thinks when you're out & about taking photos. I've been seen lying in the street, pulling over at the roadside and lots more situations taking pics that I wouldn't have had the confidence to do before.
Gosh! So much! I have learned to do this project just for me. I have learned how to REALLY use my camera. I have learned how to find inspiration in EACH day, not just when I'm having fun. I have learned that I love taking photos of kids and would love to make a living out of it. I have also learned that I LOVE photography more than I thought. I could go on, but I'll let others have a turn. Great thread.
@sburbidge oh yea, that too! I took my camera and tripod out to the park the other evening and stood right next to 2 young men sat on a bench drinking Stella to take this photo http://365project.org/lluniau/mwy-more/2011-05-22 It was the first time for me to use the tripod out of the comfort of my own home. I definitely wouldn't have taken the tripod OR the camera to the park before, nevermind it being by myself and not minding what these guys thought if it!
Seeing as I knew NOTHING when I started except that I liked taking photos, I have learnt so much! From the basics of photography (what F stops are etc) to improving my composition and like @cytherisa what bokeh is and how to achieve it :)
I feel so much more confident now in how to at least attempt to take a good photograph. I've learnt far, far more than I ever expected to - each discussion thread is just a mine of wonderful information. I love this place :)
I've learned that I really love photography and editing is where I have the most fun. I've also learned there is no shortage of ideas or things to photograph everyday and to be confident in ability to learn new things.
@eringoodman Amen! I think this lesson goes hand in hand with Elin's - take lots of pictures, and don't be afraid to delete the bad ones. (After all, the big advantage to digital is that mistakes don't cost anything.)
I have learned what SOOC, to call a photo a Capture and that my old camera is a Bridge and other non American English phrases. (lol)
I found I love following people from where I want to visit one day. That some people have only one style, and while it is fine for me, I want to have a few more tricks up my sleeve in photos. I found it is not so much as finding the object you want to take but how to compose it so it is seen in a new way. I am also working much more on having an artistic image before I even get my camera out which means define the vision, get the props and lighting right, and then pull out the camera. While I have great dumb luck, I am really enjoying developing my vision.
It is okay to have some real duds or photos only I love because they are meaningful to me and do not have to get raves each time. I also enjoy that my friends in real life now ask me for photo advice and feel complimented when I comment on their photos.
I learned it's all about the lighting and angle.
I learned I like things close-up (as opposed to stepping back and going, "ahhh")
I learned the best shots happen when you're rolling around in poison ivy or pressed against aquarium glass like a starfish.
...and I learned how to edit in Picnik.
omg i cant even begin to list everything that i have learned...i still have oh so much to learn....but i never had a camera before starting this project so i learned the words f stop, shutter speed, iso, aperture...and i kinda know what they mean now...but still not positive how they all work in conjunction...i took and intro class last fall and learned so much about how to use a camera...then practice practice practice...read read read...it has been a wonderful journey that i will continue as long as i can
I have trouble remembering when, exactly, something came to my attention, but I'm pretty sure I've learned quite a bit these last five months. I've gotten WAY more familiar with the settings on my camera and how to manipulate them to get cool effects. I've learned that just about anything can make a good photo if you work hard enough at it. I've learned A LOT about composition - looking at what's behind your subject, framing, rule of thirds, etc.
Some of my learning has been here, and some has been at various school-related functions and classes. I'm quite lucky to have so many great resources that allow me to learn anything I want to know. :)
I've learned a few things - as most people have commented I've learned to use more of the manual settings on my camera (although I have a long way to go), much better composition and lots and lots in Photoshop!
Mostly, I've learned that I love taking pictures. And I have my sister @egad to thank for that because she talked me into this.
I've learned about lighting, how to take a waterdrop photo, and that just about anything can be turned into a cool photo. I've learned how to use Picnik to create cool effects like selective coloring, posterize, clone, and create collages. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn, but to feel good about what I've accomplished so far. I've also learned that I love taking photographs! :)
I've learned that I shouldn't flop to the ground in my usual manner when taking pictures of things on the side of the road as people think I've fainted or collapsed and stop their cars all worried about that lady laying in the grass. :)
I have learned to listen to my heart when viewing my photo's...my heart tugs me as to which of a series of the same subject is the one I should post, my heart tugs at me and says do not edit it at all, my heart is telling me when and when not to use vignettes or frames, and there have been photos my mind wanted to delete out of being unsure but my heart lead me to post and then I am blown away by the response to it...I am definitely learning to take my time and compose my shots
* how to use my macro lens
* if you see something that would make a good shot, take it right then and there
because it might not be there tomorrow/next week etc (eg graffiti)
* get rid of the 'junk' in the background of your shot as you compose it
* 365 is addictive!
* lots more about editing in photoshop through trial and error
* pets are extremely unco-operative when it comes to posing for photos
Goodness! I have learned so much! Here are just a few of the things I have learned: how to get close up shots, all kinds of compositional skills, how to use some (not all) of the settings on my camera, how to get better focus, what kind of shots I really like to take, how to push myself to try another kind of shot, to look around to see if there is anything distracting in my shots, to take lots of shots so I can select my favorites, and last, but not least---think before I shoot.
Oh gosh! I have learned( am learning) so much- I now shoot in manual only, and am understanding aperture/ shutter speed so much better because of it. I also learned that I LOVE capturing kids( big surprise to all who follow me!:))and I have considered making an attempt at doing this for income. I have learned that I have much to learn still, and that sites like this are such a wonderful inspiration and instructional medium:))
Gosh the amount I have learned so far:
Going from a point and shot straight up to a dslr was a massive step, I feel that you dont realise how easy you have it with a point and shoot until you have to go totally manual.
Adding to that learning all of the settings of the camera, A, F, S etc.. massive amounts of trials and errors.
Photographing a water crown is not as easy as it looks.. Took me ages to perfect that.
Flying by the seat of my ass and being random works well.
Photographing swallows in flight is impossible lol
I love the learning curves this project has taken me on.
Oh wow, ive learned a lot. I was one of those people that used my DSLR on Auto until I really started to get into this project. I had my camera for 2 years prior to the is project and it took me that long to switch to manual mode.
Also, ive learned composition, better processing, long exposures, and my eye for detail has changed big time!!!
Since I joined 365 about 3 weeks after I'd bought this camera, my first DSLR, I started from scratch. I've learned about composition, dof, exposure, all of it. I've been inspired by others on this site. I've learned to look at everything around me in a different way!
But most importantly, I've learned not to try to shoot yellow flowers with bright sunshine on them! LOL.
I've been keeping a list of what I've learned so far. Here's an edited version:
1. Photographers are pretty cool people (especially 365 people)
2. When I don’t know what I'm doing, take a picture and learn from it
3. Get on the ground, stand on a chair, find a new perspective
5. Simplicity is good
6. Choose the images that pleases the eye over the technically correct photo
7. Even if I think it’s a crappy photo, listen to other’s opinions. I might get a new way of seeing it.
8. Learn from other’s photography
9. Flash can be my friend or my enemy, I get to choose
10. If I'm going to experiment with water, don't do it on the wood furniture
I still want to learn to be brave and take photos of people, the manual settings of my new camera, post processing, and seeing ordinary things as extraordinary. There's so much more I want to learn.
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oohhhhhh cool thread ! , well i now kinda understand a lot more how to actually work my camera (always just pointed and clicked before )
ive also learnt to just do whatever crazy idea pops to mind and not be affraid to post it , heck we only live once :)
I've also got into the habit of shooting in "manual", although sometimes I reckon I'd probably get better results from letting the camera do it for me (but then I'd learn nothing, right?!).
2 months ago I didn't know what HDR was, and I didn't know you could get a macro effect from putting your lens on back to front.
I'll be happy enough if I learn as much in every 2 months to come!
I feel so much more confident now in how to at least attempt to take a good photograph. I've learnt far, far more than I ever expected to - each discussion thread is just a mine of wonderful information. I love this place :)
I found I love following people from where I want to visit one day. That some people have only one style, and while it is fine for me, I want to have a few more tricks up my sleeve in photos. I found it is not so much as finding the object you want to take but how to compose it so it is seen in a new way. I am also working much more on having an artistic image before I even get my camera out which means define the vision, get the props and lighting right, and then pull out the camera. While I have great dumb luck, I am really enjoying developing my vision.
It is okay to have some real duds or photos only I love because they are meaningful to me and do not have to get raves each time. I also enjoy that my friends in real life now ask me for photo advice and feel complimented when I comment on their photos.
I learned I like things close-up (as opposed to stepping back and going, "ahhh")
I learned the best shots happen when you're rolling around in poison ivy or pressed against aquarium glass like a starfish.
...and I learned how to edit in Picnik.
I can touch my toes too, wanna see, wanna see?
Definitely! I think of this as the difference between taking pictures and making art (even on the amateur level). It's such an important concept.
1) Go ahead and take the picture, because it can always be deleted if it isn't good.
2) For heaven's sake Elyse, move closer to the subject!
Some of my learning has been here, and some has been at various school-related functions and classes. I'm quite lucky to have so many great resources that allow me to learn anything I want to know. :)
Mostly, I've learned that I love taking pictures. And I have my sister @egad to thank for that because she talked me into this.
* how to use my macro lens
* if you see something that would make a good shot, take it right then and there
because it might not be there tomorrow/next week etc (eg graffiti)
* get rid of the 'junk' in the background of your shot as you compose it
* 365 is addictive!
* lots more about editing in photoshop through trial and error
* pets are extremely unco-operative when it comes to posing for photos
Going from a point and shot straight up to a dslr was a massive step, I feel that you dont realise how easy you have it with a point and shoot until you have to go totally manual.
Adding to that learning all of the settings of the camera, A, F, S etc.. massive amounts of trials and errors.
Photographing a water crown is not as easy as it looks.. Took me ages to perfect that.
Flying by the seat of my ass and being random works well.
Photographing swallows in flight is impossible lol
I love the learning curves this project has taken me on.
Also, ive learned composition, better processing, long exposures, and my eye for detail has changed big time!!!
But most importantly, I've learned not to try to shoot yellow flowers with bright sunshine on them! LOL.
to edit.
Oh, and to always remove my lens cap.
1. Photographers are pretty cool people (especially 365 people)
2. When I don’t know what I'm doing, take a picture and learn from it
3. Get on the ground, stand on a chair, find a new perspective
5. Simplicity is good
6. Choose the images that pleases the eye over the technically correct photo
7. Even if I think it’s a crappy photo, listen to other’s opinions. I might get a new way of seeing it.
8. Learn from other’s photography
9. Flash can be my friend or my enemy, I get to choose
10. If I'm going to experiment with water, don't do it on the wood furniture
I still want to learn to be brave and take photos of people, the manual settings of my new camera, post processing, and seeing ordinary things as extraordinary. There's so much more I want to learn.