How did you get good with your camera?

sduk

sduk

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Sammy
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Hello :D I know the main answer to my question is practice :D

But that aside, I'm in the position of owning my first DSLR and knowing nearly nothing!

I read on here, read the manual, take notes and then take them with me to help but my photos seem to lack that va va voom!

I'm not so concerned at the moment with what im shooting, its more how the quality of my pictures are.

So i was just curious how you all became so good? :D

I'm just jealous with admiration lol

Sammy
 
That's a lovely sentiment Sammy but i'm not sure many of us here actually think we are that good! lol.

It's a journey and we are all at different points on our own personal journey. Welcome to yours :)

In order to make progress there are lot of different tools you can pick from. Reading on here is, of course, compulsory :) Then there are other internet resources, magazines, books and courses you can do as well.

Welcome to TP, hope you enjoy your new camera.
 
well i got to where i am today from learning off here :eek:


:thinking: maybe i should look elsewhere :lol:


md:thumbs:
 
Agree this is a great place to learn, has helped me alot, have also used google a fair bit to get more information, and read more than a couple of books, some good some bad, most of all though get out and try stuff, is somting I intnd to do this year, as most of my photography has been wildlife, but this year I want to do more.
 
when i get good ill give you a bell


until then keep taking pics, scour the internet (i found depth of field calculator v helpful) and explore places like flickr, there are some properly good photographers on there
 
My photographs regularly lack that 'va va voom' too, but occasionally I get lucky and shoot a good one, and I have been involved with photography for 30 years.

I have a good knowlendge of technique and practise regularly but sometimes there are factors that just 'go against you' great subject-wrong lighting, pretty model great pose-eyes are shut and you could go on and on.

My suggestion would be to play with your equipment (photographic that is), read all you can about photography, study other photographers work, really look at the images you admire and try to discover what makes it good in your eyes, study art and paintings, look at how light and shade give shape and contrast. Unless you are one of the really lucky artistic naturals like everything else you need to work at it. But, if you persevere, eventually you will start to produce good images (maybe not great images) and hopefully keep improving until you do.
 
I think the hardest thing to do is not the taking of the photos but seeing them in the first place! Get used to looking for images even when you haven't got a camera on you, then think about how you would take the image using what you've learnt.

At least, that is what I am doing :)
 
When I started I didn't have the opportunities you have now, If exposures weren't right you found out after you prints or slides arrived back at the chemist or landed on the mat so to avoid disappointment you got it right in camera. Funny how I don't concentrate on my shots like I used too.
 
I started out by practicing on a manual film camera, then moved to a Nikon F80 film SLR and when I opened the box and looked through the viefinder and saw the various icons etc I thought 'I'm well out of my depth here'. But, I persisted, took shots, posted them on forums, got feedback, took it on board, more shots, more feedback etc and it just built from there.

Of course having an eye for a shot helps too although that is also something that improves over time. As you take more shots and get more feedback you'll start to see how different angles, depths of field etc make or break images.

Basically, shoot as much as you can and get as much feedback as you can so you can see where your going wrong. Just don't rely only on friends and family because you'll be amazed what some people class as an amazing shot if they are not 'in to' photography - if you see what I mean!?
 
Car photography is one of the most difficult subjects you'll meet! Start with something a lot simpler. As you said - it takes practice. You have to learn to see - most people just look - but photographers have to see - it's a skill you develop over time. Don't know how long you've been shooting but maybe because digital is 'instant' people expect to become good just as fast. It takes time - maybe years. Slow down and enjoy what you're doing - and learn to do it well - one step at a time.
 
yeah, im finding this hard to explain. its not the scenery or thing that im shooting that i find hard, i am struggling with the quality of my shots and learning the settings.

lol who knows i may laugh at this thread in a few years!
 
This site is great for advice and posting pictures and getting some feedback. I also find http://inspi.re/ is a very good for competitions to get you focused on what you are shooting and gaining feedback. It caters for beginners through to advanced amateurs, depending upon the communities you join and compete in.
 
sduk said:
yeah, im finding this hard to explain. its not the scenery or thing that im shooting that i find hard, i am struggling with the quality of my shots and learning the settings.

lol who knows i may laugh at this thread in a few years!
Click to expand...

I'm sure we'd like to see some of your shots!
 
Review your work, share your ideas and take lots of shots. A bit of theory helps too.
 
sduk said:
yeah, im finding this hard to explain. its not the scenery or thing that im shooting that i find hard, i am struggling with the quality of my shots and learning the settings.
Click to expand...

Post a some photos up and we can give you some feedback...
 
lol, im not sure about that, although i am going to really try and post some pictures up and see if i can improve, like i said, i love shooting my car so will concentrate on that so i can see if there is any change.
 
sduk said:
lol, im not sure about that, although i am going to really try and post some pictures up and see if i can improve, like i said, i love shooting my car so will concentrate on that so i can see if there is any change.
Click to expand...

Instead of shooting the entire car, try picking out certain aspects and shooting them individually. The brakes, wheels, lights, dials, wing mirrors etc.

Each one is different so you'll have to learn different techniques for each :)
 
Difficult to be of more help without seeing your work. If you ask for advice - then please at least consider showing us your work!
 
I had a few usable pics on my first film
after a year most were ok
after ten years they were getting better and I was in photo college
after 60 years they are not as good as they were after ten years.

Age you know....
But you never stop learning.
 
I admit, I didn't read through everyone else's replies, but there will be some good advice in there because there is a lot of talent on this site.

from a personal point of view I would say practice and reading and practice and practice is the best way to become "good" with your camera, Look at other peoples work, try and work out what they have done or how they have lit it. ASK! that's the best way, and if you are truly wanting to improve work experience with a photographer will help hugely.

Lee
 
Hi Hope you enjoy your new camera, it took me 6 months to a year to learn about my camera, I learnt how to use my camera from photography magazines and books, they've helped alot and have helped me understand the settings on my camera (shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc) :)
 
have no idea as i am not good but i get alot of good advice from here and the b****r who got me into this blinking hobbie... shall not name HER just yet
 
1, practice all types (landscapes, portraits nature etc)
2, get learning your editing program so you can wizz through your editing stage
3, print your pics off 7x5" and put them in an a5 portfolio
4, show your work to friends and family see what they say
5, repeat.
 
I started with a Point and Shoot and a LARGE memory card. I used to take LOADS of photos (still do actually). Slowly I learned what made a good one and what didn't. As time went by my number of keepers got better and I realised to be more creative (play with DOF / Blur etc) I would need an SLR, not an automatic compact.

So I went and got an SLR and kept taking loads of photos. Posted a few on here for C&C. Tried to learn from the comments and apply them.

BTW I still don't consider myself good. Just improved. And my keep to bin ratio has gone up.
 
Well I'm rubbish with my camera, so the question obviously isn't aimed at me. :lol:
I do agree though, pop some of your stuff up here for folks to offer the odd nudge in the right direction. My first shots I posted here were (in my opinion) pretty grim, but the folks here were extremely kind which helped boost my confidence.
In the past year or so, i have prolly snapped a couple of thousand images, most of which have been useless. I don't need to ask about those though, as it's usually glaringly obvious to me what is wrong. I suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynauds, and as a result have difficulty holding the camera steady and a tripod isn't always feasible.
Out of the 20 or so decent shots I feel I have taken, there have possibly been a few I am particularly pleased with.
I am learning slowly, and gradually improving - although composition is still fairly hit and miss for me. I tend to photograph anything I find interesting in a 'japanese tourist' type style, and sometimes manage to nail something purely by accident. I like unusual architecture, and being a water sign naturally gravitate to anything of the h2o persuasion. I have photographed my beloved Scoob on several occasions, but never get the shot to do it justice IMO.
In short, don't be shy - get them out for the lads and lasses.
[/epic waffle]
I'm off for a rub down with a cup of herbal tea now.
 
Hi Hope you enjoy your new camera. When I got my first dslr camera in 2007 I always took photos in Auto, the other features on the camera were like a different language :lol:. The past 6 months I've learnt about my camera from photography magazines and books, now I shoot in manual. The more you practise, the more you're get used to the settings on your camera, the most important thing is have fun and photograph what you're interested in :)
 
Read about photographic techniques and take an interest in what others do. Get people to be critical of your work and also look at the critique other work receives. Learn from it. Most of all just enjoy taking photo's, do it lots, and maintain an interest.
 
Practise as much as is humanely possible! Take as many shots as you can, and experiment with different subjects and angles etc.

I found my best photos came from something that I already had a passion in- horses. Yes I enjoy taking photographs of other sporting events, landscapes etc, but I could sit and photograph horses all day (and frequently do!). Find that subject that excites you, and you'll always take a better photo.
 
I forgot to say experiment with different styles, techniques and subjects until you find methods that you are comfortable with.
 
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