Begginers what have you learnt so far

[Nikkie]

I have had a wonderful time here on AP & elsewhere, Learning & meeting other togs & sharing experiences.
Six months ago I had not much knowledge about photography (some will say I still don't) except to point & shoot & hope. Now I dial, point & shoot & cry
No, seriously the most benefit I have got here is learning the lingo of photography. It was such a foreign language a few months ago & I still have a long way to go yet, but learning the lingo & what it all means & relates to everything else has been a battle for me. I am coming to terms with the cam & now struggling to learn the lingo of PP but I am slowly getting there.
I have had some wonderful help here & other sites & have some wonderful 'friends' here & overseas. The net is such a wonderful tool & community. All the help & encouragement from all corners of the globe, that you could not get from sitting on a park bench or in a library. Chatting & sharing your niche genre with a one in a billion person somewhere out there is just fantastic
Yes, thanks for all your helps, even reading the posts anonymously has been a education & picking up the lingo & getting a feel for the comfort zone of what & where I am in photography. Yes I have forgotten a lot but learnt heaps & relearning again. Good excuse to get out of bed in the morning, even if not too early, but then someone has to be on watch late when all is quiet
Thanks gang
Col

Yes Ive only had my very first DSLR or any SLR cam for about 2 months now. I thought I would never learn to use it let alone get out of auto even though I felt I was not ready I am so very grateful as you are Col for the people here that have helped me put up with me post after post yet another not so good photo. I did not know anything at all but soon learnt and still learning the only sad thing for me is the timing of my operation on my arm as it was only the day before the ohhhh factor hit me well if only with f/stops and ISO still need to learn the shutter speed and when to put what together but also I was just learning how to manually focus my lens I have picked up my camera a couple of times and as my arm is still healing its still only for a short time but I will be back into the swing of things soon back to the very kind and patient people who will CC me. I think what you said Col has wrapped it all up keep learning keep post keep getting that CC as you learn come back and share with us and have a read what others have learnt I am hoping this post will be a benefit for many and one day I hope I can return the what I have learnt to another newbie looking for answers to things that want to know. Thanks for you reply and for taking the time to read and post

[cfm]

Learning some of the lingo has been good.
Learning about ND filters will be useful when I get around to buying some.

My biggest learn is "have your camera handy". I seem to miss so many good opportunities when the DSLR is at home rather than with me when driving about.

[darrenmars]

I've learned that the camera and lens don't matter as much as many make them out to (especially salespeople!!!) - photography is more about light and your ability to capture it with the tools you choose to use.

There's a video somewhere of a photographer using the iPhone and some good lighting for a fashion shoot... UH-HUH! here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOoGjtSy7xY the article is on FStoppers to (unless it's been archived already)

[Nikkie]

Learning some of the lingo has been good.
Learning about ND filters will be useful when I get around to buying some. yes the lingo has been a big thing I thing about it in my own mind all the time as if im in a conversation with somebody I pretend somebody has asked me something that I have learnt and find myself telling them in the using the lingo that Ive learnt and also I do want to get a ND and learn more about them thank you keep coming back as you learn and share your information with us and pick up some new stuff while your at it

My biggest learn is "have your camera handy". I seem to miss so many good opportunities when the DSLR is at home rather than with me when driving about.

I've learned that the camera and lens don't matter as much as many make them out to (especially salespeople!!!) - photography is more about light and your ability to capture it with the tools you choose to use.

There's a video somewhere of a photographer using the iPhone and some good lighting for a fashion shoot... UH-HUH! here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOoGjtSy7xY the article is on FStoppers to (unless it's been archived already)

I will be back later or tomorrow and take a look at that vid you left for us to see. Somebody made a post not long ago asking how much of photography was natural born talent how much was it from doing a course and how much of it was luck and how much was it equipment. This got me thinking as I quiet often put a lot of things into perspective using cars or driving that is what I did with this post. When I first got my learners I could not find anybody that wanted to teach me could not afford a driving school even tho it was only $5.00 an hour by memory but not for the duration that I would need that was 3 months in those days. I by chance met a man on the CB radio that was some years older then I was and we became great friends he offered to teach me to drive that was luck been at the right place at the right time. learning he was a very good driver and did not only teach me to drive a car but taught me how to change a tyre replace a batter change my oil spark plugs he also put me into some pretty scary driving situations how to drive in thick fog how to drive on a dirt road how to control a car if it starts to aqua plane this is skill or in the case of doing a course learnt then there is equipment if you a car that is in good nick and the better the car the safer you will be same with your camera gear the things that you buy to help you with your photography this things have to help if you have a car with bald tyres your more likely to skid out of control if you have the right gear you wont. I know this seems like a silly way of putting it into perspective but for me its not and that is how I came about its not all about the gear a lot of things have to come into play to be a photographer I also think if you have passion and passion enough you will learn and learn to do it well I had a lot of passion about wanting to drive and wanting to learn to do it well I did just that in the end but all the other things came into play. Thank you for you post and keep coming back to learn and to teach us what you have learnt as well we can all learn together

[Nikkie]

Today was such a nice sunny day I took myself my camera and my photography magazine out the front I always take my camera with me because you never know what you may miss out on taking photos of you never know what is going to happen. But today I learnt how to manual focus I got it every time I tried did not just happen to get it like I was before so this is something that came from practicing and having patients to teach myself how to do it now I need to keep practicing and practicing but its a start

[Grumby]

I've learned how little I know, and how this hobby is likely to keep me learning for the rest of my days. At the moment, I'm learning to look at things with a new perspective and finding photo opportunities in some unlikely places.

[Robbo7D]

Yes juanny I had no idea what was involved I also had no idea how much fun it would be well I guess I new it would be fun because I always loved taking photos but getting my DSLR was either going to be a nightmare or a dream come true I love learning I take little baby steps because I almost gave up because I was trying to learn to much at a time right now for me I am learning to understand more about fstops and ISO numbers and putting that together then I ll worry about getting the right speed putting all them together but I love it its a passion of mine and been out of action right now is almost a crime within it self but always come back often and share with us each time you learn something new I am also hoping that from time to time somebody that has more knowledge then me can drop by and not only share with us but help us and making sure we are getting the right information its too easy to pick up wrong information and having it corrected will also be a benefit to us. Keep us updated what you have learnt you may not learn something new everyday but from time to time you will and so will I happy snapping

Nikkie, I have learnt that when I read your posts I have to take a huge breath!! Love your posts and can see the vast improvement in your shots since joining. Keep it going.......I'm learning an extraordinary amount.

[Nikkie]

I've learned how little I know, and how this hobby is likely to keep me learning for the rest of my days. At the moment, I'm learning to look at things with a new perspective and finding photo opportunities in some unlikely places.

hello Grumpy yes there is so much to learn I can't belive how much I see now since having my camera there is so much photo opportuties out there you just have to see them keep coming back and telling us what you have learnt and see what others are learning as well thanks for you post

Nikkie, I have learnt that when I read your posts I have to take a huge breath!! Love your posts and can see the vast improvement in your shots since joining. Keep it going.......I'm learning an extraordinary amount.

Thank you for your comment Robbo I still have a long way to go and even further then I think right now. But I can hardly wait until I can start taking photos again

[Wirginia]

I've learnt to not be worried about moving my dials off full auto, something that has taken me since August 2010 to do! I've also learnt that there's no such thing as a bad photo coz you learn from all the booboohs you make and I make heaps. I'm just waiting for photos to upload at photobucket and then you can see just how much I don't know about using my camera, he he he

Now where to put the links on here..................

[Nikkie]

I've learnt to not be worried about moving my dials off full auto, something that has taken me since August 2010 to do! I've also learnt that there's no such thing as a bad photo coz you learn from all the booboohs you make and I make heaps. I'm just waiting for photos to upload at photobucket and then you can see just how much I don't know about using my camera, he he he

Now where to put the links on here..................

I don't know where you put your links on here hope you find them. I felt pushed about coming off auto I had only had my camera for less then a week and at another forum they started to get real mean and nasty there was no need for it, it was almost like manual snobbery I was so much happier when I found AP I did give them the flick by the way but now I am in manual I am happy still don't have good photos but slowly improving I think and no nastiness about it here that is for sure. Thanks for sharing us what you have learnt and keep coming back you might learn from others and tell us what you are learning.

[Nikkie]

I learnt today that my tiny little photo shop can do post processing I explained that I had a great candid shot of my partner but I used the wrong shutter speed and from what the wonderful people here told it was blurry he knows I am only learning so it wont be embarrassing to take them to him He told me if I can give a one raw and one Jpeg he would have a look at it for me I hope he can fix it as getting another photo like will be a fluke not that I fluked it in the first place I had a vision in my head and went out to try to get it but forgot to cheek my shutter speed what a drip but that is what learning is all about I told him I would love to have this photo up on my wall so next time I go into town ill take it to him fingers crossed he can fix it to a printable frameable photo. any way if you want to have a look you will find it here.

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...e-him-the-Chop

[kiwi]

In my experience you can't really fix a blurry shot, you can fudge about sharpening and even make the main subject look sharper by making the rest if the photo blurry

He's your partner, I think re owes you a reshoot.

[draco]

It's true, never go a day without learning something about photography, which is just as well, as forget something a day too

ahhh so true. unfortunately I learned the hard way, I have been inactive for a very long time and I feel like that I have forgotten everything I learned from this site. Hopefully I will have time now to get back into this fulfilling, frustrating, expensive hobby and start all over again.(That is if this post reinstates my account.)

[Mark L]

I'm having problems with PP. Had a DSLR for two weeks now. Started be ignoring auto mode and saving in raw.
Today I read two things on AP that were useful:-Rick explaining the benefits of raw
and an explanation of whitebalance by arthurking83 that's absolutely made my day http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...son-to-use-RAW

[Nikkie]

In my experience you can't really fix a blurry shot, you can fudge about sharpening and even make the main subject look sharper by making the rest if the photo blurry

He's your partner, I think re owes you a reshoot.

n Darren I would love to try again he don't see the photo as I do or any photos of himself he seems happy for the odd snap shot after he has a few beer but that is about it I really love this photo its what I had hoped for except this is a big lesson learnt for me to learn shutter speeds the chance of getting another shot in the same way is not impossible but I can only do it Candid style as he is one of those people when working he likes to be left alone I will try again the next time he gets out the AXE but if I can't at least the photographer at the shop will at least have a look and see if it can be saved or not

ahhh so true. unfortunately I learned the hard way, I have been inactive for a very long time and I feel like that I have forgotten everything I learned from this site. Hopefully I will have time now to get back into this fulfilling, frustrating, expensive hobby and start all over again.(That is if this post reinstates my account.)

Welcome back and lets hope that this post will reinstate your account

I'm having problems with PP. Had a DSLR for two weeks now. Started be ignoring auto mode and saving in raw.
Today I read two things on AP that were useful:-Rick explaining the benefits of raw
and an explanation of whitebalance by arthurking83 that's absolutely made my day http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...son-to-use-RAW

Yes I do both RAW NEF plus Jpeg yes it means a lot of large files but if one is so bad at least you can still try with the raw file I never take my camera off RAW NEF Jpeg

[ricktas]

Regarding people not liking their own photos, think about this.

When we see ourselves, we do so in a mirror, most of the time. Thus we have a reversed view of how we look, to what other people see. Next time you take a photo of someone they do not like, horizontally flip it, in your editing software, and ask them again if they like the photo. You might be surprised at the answer.

[AnzacPride]

Regarding people not liking their own photos, think about this.

When we see ourselves, we do so in a mirror, most of the time. Thus we have a reversed view of how we look, to what other people see. Next time you take a photo of someone they do not like, horizontally flip it, in your editing software, and ask them again if they like the photo. You might be surprised at the answer.

wow Rick
Ive never thought about this, Makes perfects sense!!

[Nikkie]

Regarding people not liking their own photos, think about this.

When we see ourselves, we do so in a mirror, most of the time. Thus we have a reversed view of how we look, to what other people see. Next time you take a photo of someone they do not like, horizontally flip it, in your editing software, and ask them again if they like the photo. You might be surprised at the answer.

I never given this a thought either but it makes perfect sense thanks for the tip Rick

[cfm]

Yes, I do find this forum very good, most people are very helpful and positive.

[Colplay]

I have learnt the funniest thing actually! I've just returned to AP after a brief hiatus thinking I had mastered the exposure triangle (that's a work in progress). So I started reading the learning plan, starting with "how to hold your camera" which I'll admit I nearly didn't read. Read it, disregarded it as I cannot hold the camera with both hands. Well I kind of am to disguise the fact one of hands is busy covering my left eye It's true! I cannot wink So my left pointer finger, for as long as I can remember, holds my left eyelid closed while my other pointer finger gets busy with the shutter (I am laughing so much right now). Anyway, read on. I read the next chapter: Use both eyes! Woah nelly! I have been holding a camera of some sort since I was 12 years old so we're talking about banishing 20+ years of "technique" here I can't tell you how relieved I am to have read this and to be honest I can't believe I never thought of it myself! So here I am, eyes wide open, taking photos. That is what I have learnt....so far....thank you