New to photography.....

Hysteria_UK

Hysteria_UK

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Name
Dan Wright
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi everyone,

I know this should really be in the welcome forum but I also have a few basic questions. This seems like a decent forum with lots of constructive friendly advice.....makes a change for an internet forum :lol:

A bit of background, the daunting task of getting a DSLR has been on my mind for a long long time but never had the cash or time to get into it. I had a decent pushbike which I had no where to store and someone offered me a trade. So I got the following

Fuji S2 pro
Not sure what make lens, i think its a Nikon 62mm 100mm (?)
Battery grip
Flashgun with diffuser (there is a switch on the back with lots of numbers lol)
Bag
Tripod

All in all I was pretty pleased with the trade as I hadnt been able to sell my bike for over 2 months anyway.

I know next to nothing about DSLRs. I understand the concept of ISO, Apeture, shutter speeds but am yet to put it into practice.

I have been advised to look at the following two books, can anyone concurre or advise otherwise?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Pho...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231415370&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Pho...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231415370&sr=8-1

I have every intention of learing as much as I can, as I do with any hobby, but could someone give me a rundown on the numbers associated with a lens please? Understand the 100mm in my lens is the zoom ability? is the 62mm the front opening of the lens? and why do people go crazy over the 50mm lenses?

I am sorry for the basic questions, i just need to get of the proverbial starting blocks.

Thanks and take care!
 
Bssically the lower the number on the lens the wider it is, so comparing it to your eyesight a 10mm would include what is at the far left, right, top and bottom of what you see, 50mm would be closest to what you actually see, and the higher numbers (200,300,to 600+) would be like wearing blinkers so thet you see things that are far away, but the higher the number the closer far away things seem. I'm sure someone will give you a better and description than I can though!

There is a site somewhere that lets you see the difference in view that you get with the varoous lens lengths.

Oh, and welcome to the forum :)
 
Thanks for the quick reply and thanks for clearing that up. Now I see how some people can get so much (landscape for example) into their photos.

Ill have to see if i can find the lens lengths thing you mentioned, I've seen a basic ISO, Apeture, shutter speed one and it was pretty good in theory. Its the old cliche....a picture paints a thousand words.
 
I can't see the books you linked to as the links are borken.

Basically, and almost every member would concur with this, get yourself a copy of "understanding exposure". Its perfect for a beginner to photography.

and Welcome!
 
I've fixed the links if you wanted to take a look :) Ill look up that book, thanks for the suggestion
 
Welcome from me too! :)

Yep, Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is one that come extremely highly recommended. Another I've read is simply called Exposure by Peter Cope and is quite itzy bitzy but does cover points not raised in the first book.

If you'd like recommendations on books on composing images, two spring to mind...Mastering Composition with your DSLR by Chris Rutter and The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman.

Hope that's given you something to start on :)
 
I've not read Kelby's books but heard them recommended before. Also heard a few people struggle with his style. I guess its down to taste.

I have "understanding exposure" and really like it and keep refering back to it.

Another I got for xmas was "digital photography masterclass". Another one worth looking at.
 
There is a site somewhere that lets you see the difference in view that you get with the varoous lens lengths??


any ideas what the site is?? it would be interesting is seeing that
 
Hysteria_UK said:
I know next to nothing about DSLRs.
Click to expand...

Well it looks like you got a good one to start with!

There are a few decent introductions to DSLRs out there -- I'd go to your local Waterstones and have a browse then you can decide what level 'introduction' you need.

Understanding Exposure is an excellent book but I'd read a more basic introduction to cameras and how they work first.
 
I have read The Digital Photography Book and thought it was quite good. Helped me when i was starting out.
 
I have the kelby books and although his information is helpful his attempts at humour are awful and get annoying.

Understanding exposure is a great book though
 
Hey Dan

So good to see you on here. Now be prepared to get totally hooked on photography.
Personally I did not find the Digital photography book anywhere near as useful as Understanding Exposure - which has been the single most useful book I have bought with regards to learning about photography.
 
Hey Angi, this place seems a breath of fresh air after RepCrazy, Livefoods and RFUK lol lol lol

Looking at the contents page of the Understanding Exposure, it does look a very good book. Ill have to get to waterstones and check it out properly.
 
someone on here a few days ago made a good point, photography is 5% skill and 95% timing.

Just pick it up and take pictures with it, the S2 pro is a very good camera, it'll do most of the work for you on auto,once you get the hang of composition you can start trying different settings.

one great advantage of digital is it costs you nothing to press the shutter, in the days of film learning was expensive £4 for a film, £5 to get it developed so 30p every time you clicked the shutter.

By all means read the books and manuals that came with it but my advice is just use it.
 
wack61 said:
someone on here a few days ago made a good point, photography is 5% skill and 95% timing.

Just pick it up and take pictures with it, the S2 pro is a very good camera, it'll do most of the work for you on auto,once you get the hang of composition you can start trying different settings.

one great advantage of digital is it costs you nothing to press the shutter, in the days of film learning was expensive £4 for a film, £5 to get it developed so 30p every time you clicked the shutter.

By all means read the books and manuals that came with it but my advice is just use it.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that! I was talking with a mate at work who said when he first took it up he read so much stuff, he come to use the camara and just froze as everything he had read just went blank. I think im going down the same route. Ive had it over 6weeks and not actually taken a proper photo with it as I just used his Fuji S9600 on auto all over christmas. I was worried about getting loads of awful photos with my new one without looking into how to use it properly. :bang:

I have a copy of Understanding Exposure and The digital photography book vol.1 so will have a read. If nothing else its a good excuse to get out, go somewhere interesting and take some god awful photos lol. I hope timing will be on my side to make up for the 5% skill thats lacking haha
 
Don't worry abourt taking bad photo's, thats how you learn!

I have learnt loads by posting mine up for critique on here, another great way to learn. People here are great at helping you develop into a good photographer.

The more you take, the more you practice.
 
lol Hey Daftbugga, where in Notts are you? I'm in Clifton....someones got to live there.

You taken many photos around Nottingham? I think there are a few opportunities down the embankment at night. The suspension bridge and memorial gardens look pretty nice at night. Wouldnt mind getting up to the castle either and i reckon you could get some interesting arty-farty ones outside the playhouse of the giant silver contact lens lol

...and thanks for the links, ill take a look at lunchtime
 
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