Hi my names jaimie, I'm looking for some advice to help me get started on my route to become a successful photographer. I'm dabbling at the moment with my nikon L820 and although it's great for what it is, its not an Slr/dslr. I'm looking for a camera that's an all rounder for live events such as gigs and festivals as well as nature shots, motorsport ect. I have an offer standing for a Canon 100d which is part of a bundle with lenses etc. from a friend he wants £400, what do you guys think? Is that a gd idea or not? I look forward to your advise. If u can point me in the right direction with anything else, like education, things to look out for etc that would be great too. Thanks in advance x
Help needed... New photographer needs info
- Thread starter jlc11
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- Richard
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Hi Jaimie,
The 100D would be a great start. You'd get the auto options, plus if you want you could adjust some of the settings manually to play around and figure out the different configurations with how they effect the appearance of an image! 400Pounds sounds alright depending on the lenses bundled.
Alternatively, if you want to save a bit of cash before splurging too much then you could look into something like this- http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Nikon-D5000-Body_123909.html - It would be more than good enough to start out with. Match it with a 2nd had 35mm 1.8 DX lens and you're on your way for around 250!
I found reading some books which were created before the digital era very helpful in understanding how aperture and shutter speed effect exposure which is arguably the most important bit to understand (And how ISO also effects by turning up the sensitivity -kind of like volume- of the sensor {In the pre-digital cameras you had to change the film a roll at a time to a different ISO developing speed} so it does not need as much light to expose at the same values). Then when you get the camera it won't seem quite as overwhelming!
Otherwise just take lots of pictures. Henri Cartier Bresson - A 35mm legendary photographer was quoted as saying 'your first 10,000 photographs are your worst'
The 100D would be a great start. You'd get the auto options, plus if you want you could adjust some of the settings manually to play around and figure out the different configurations with how they effect the appearance of an image! 400Pounds sounds alright depending on the lenses bundled.
Alternatively, if you want to save a bit of cash before splurging too much then you could look into something like this- http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Nikon-D5000-Body_123909.html - It would be more than good enough to start out with. Match it with a 2nd had 35mm 1.8 DX lens and you're on your way for around 250!
I found reading some books which were created before the digital era very helpful in understanding how aperture and shutter speed effect exposure which is arguably the most important bit to understand (And how ISO also effects by turning up the sensitivity -kind of like volume- of the sensor {In the pre-digital cameras you had to change the film a roll at a time to a different ISO developing speed} so it does not need as much light to expose at the same values). Then when you get the camera it won't seem quite as overwhelming!
Otherwise just take lots of pictures. Henri Cartier Bresson - A 35mm legendary photographer was quoted as saying 'your first 10,000 photographs are your worst'
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- Christopher
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Hi Jaimie,
I echo what Rich has said, especially about leaning how shutter speed and aperture work together to change the look of a photograph. There is a lot of information about this online, but if you would rather learn it from a book there are quite a few secondhand ones available from such sites as Amazon.
Welcome to the world of photography, it's addictive, but nothing equals the buzz you will get when you look at an image you have created and think "I did a good job with that".
I echo what Rich has said, especially about leaning how shutter speed and aperture work together to change the look of a photograph. There is a lot of information about this online, but if you would rather learn it from a book there are quite a few secondhand ones available from such sites as Amazon.
Welcome to the world of photography, it's addictive, but nothing equals the buzz you will get when you look at an image you have created and think "I did a good job with that".
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- Dean
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the 100D new is only around £250 so can you find out what is bundled with it. you may find that the bundled lens are not really worth it for what you want to shoot. better off with 1 quality prime lens that suits your needs than 2 or 3 average lenses that are not going to do you any favours in the long run.
camera bodies get updated every couple of years. good quality glass tends to last for 5x that and longer if looked after.
a camera is only essentially as good as the glass in front of it. you could have a 2k camera but stick on standard kit lens or 3rd party consumer grade glass and at best its average.
camera bodies get updated every couple of years. good quality glass tends to last for 5x that and longer if looked after.
a camera is only essentially as good as the glass in front of it. you could have a 2k camera but stick on standard kit lens or 3rd party consumer grade glass and at best its average.
Wow thanks everyone for great insights Im going to get some more info around my friends offer and I will update u all. I really can't wait to get playing around with a new camera and building my business up. One other question... Would it be beneficial to study photography as a college course or can it be done without a qualification?! Quite an important question really thanks again for your help. Jaimie
thanks again for your help. Jaimie
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We have a friend who attended a college course and has gone on to great things as a result. The college environment must give a lot of inspiration and allow access to a bigger assortment of equipment and options. Good luck if you go for it.
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think it dpends what route you want to go down. a degree or diploma or some other recognized qualification may be useful f looking for photographic work within a company , especially on the post processing side of things ( so maybe graphic design/ photoshop kind of qualification may be better.
photography though in itself the biggest qualification is your work and customer reviews / recommendations and thats something only you can gain yourself.
photography though in itself the biggest qualification is your work and customer reviews / recommendations and thats something only you can gain yourself.