photography tutors

DaveMartin

DaveMartin

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179
Name
Dave
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Hello everyone, as a complete newcomer to DSLR's I am having problems getting the best from my Sony Alpha A200 (xmas pressy from the missus after wanting one for a very long time). I can sit here and read all the books in the world but I'm afraid I'm a practical person I need to use the equipment to learn, reading isn't my strong point. I was just wondering if there are any tutors on this forum or anyone one kind enough to help a struggling but extremely enthusiastic wannabe photographer. Any help would be hugely appreciated especially hands on tutorials.
 
Thankyou for replying and welcoming me it's very kind of you fabs. I am completely overwhelmed by the whole DSLR and am not afraid to admit that I am struggling getting to grips with it all. As previously stated I am more of a practical hands on person than read an instruction manual kind of person. I have whats called an Attention Defiency Order meaning that reading books etc I cant do as I loose interest far to quickly, for me to learn I have to learn from the practical side of it that is why I enquired about tutors etc.
 
Hi Dave, it'd help if you could put your location in your profile.. cos if you were near me id willingly meet up and help you, also it would really help if you were to pop along to any meets if they are local for you.. were a helpful bunch.. :thumbs:
 
I know this is really not what you want to hear but, Read the manual. Also, read up on shutter speed, aperture and ISO, it should greatly help you on your way to understanding your camera and how it works.
 
mate best thing to do, is to be patient and willing to fiddle with the settings.

take loads of the same shot with different settings.

I am going through the same thing, getting used tot he lenses etc. Just need to practice and understand how your lens behave :)

Saying that, there are a lot to learn from other people so a tutor for techniques is probably more practical than a tutor for how to use camera.

Hope that hasn't put you off

PS also learn how to use photoshop, it's a great tool, if you are not entirely happy with the shots but there are scopes to improvement them through software. AND shoot in RAW, gives ou more flexibility for post processing and the raw editors are good for getting the picture look about right
 
Hi Dave, it'd help if you could put your location in your profile.. cos if you were near me id willingly meet up and help you, also it would really help if you were to pop along to any meets if they are local for you.. were a helpful bunch............

Sorry didn't think about that lol I am from Chandlers Ford near Southampton Airport
 
Hi Dave

When I first got my DSLR I would read a little bit and then either check it against the camera or try out the settings - this way you would not be reading for long but doing something practical at the same time.

Other than that fiddle with your camera and see what pictures look like at different settings, post the ones you feel are good in the forums and and you will get feedback which should help, this way you will have lots of tutors :D It is how many of us learn here.
 
I was thinking of taking a load of pics and posting on here in the hope that I would get advice and I take critiscism very well lol, it would be helpful to have everyone point out the differences in my photos and explain how to acheive the best etc. Better tell the missus I'm off out for an hour taking photos lol.
 
Don't rush things. Stick your camera on auto until your confidence and knowledge grows then slowly move into the semi-auto modes. Give it half a year or so then go to the fully manual mode.

Also, don't skimp on composition, which is something you can practice now matter what shooting mode you are in. Many people learn loads about the technicalities and let the compositional side slip a bit.

Oh, and welcome on board.
 
subseasniper said:
Don't rush things. Stick your camera on auto until your confidence and knowledge grows then slowly move into the semi-auto modes. Give it half a year or so then go to the fully manual mode.
Click to expand...

what's semi-auto? i use Aperture Priority all the time, which is auto imo.
 
Its a learning curve, Im afraid some of us take longer than others, Im one of the latter! but after 12 months from buying my second dslr, things are starting to sink in:bang:

I found this to be a useful tool for understanding the basics
you can change setting on the screen.

http://dryreading.com/camera/index.html

enjoy your camera, you will love it
 
Welcome. :wave:

There are quite a few members in the Southampton/Portsmouth area and they meet up occasionally for a days shooting. The last meet was at Marwell Zoo.

I found that as a "newbie" I was made to feel very welcome and given all sorts of useful advice and help. Keep your eye on the forum for the next meet in the area.
 
Thanks Keith I will definitley look in to that, I'm gutted I missed Marwell Zoo I would of loved that.
 
Hi

have a look and see if theres any day courses near where you live. I'm more hands on too, and found "An introduction to your DSLR" course really helped me get started, it was only £44 so well worth it.

Anna
 
I agree with what has been said, I too am a practical person and learn by doing, not reading. Join some of the TP meets, people are nearly always willing to help and offer advice that you can try out there and then. Check out local colleges and eveninf schools for any intorductory course that will give you a grasp of the basics - but more than anything, practice! Just play with it, loads and loads, get to know thw camera and whats happening when you use variou s settings. :thumbs:
 
Iam in the same boat Dave, didnt know there where many people from the Portsmouth/Southampton area. Iam just outside Portsmouth, Cosham. Will defo keep an eye out for the next meet-anyone know if one is planned?
 
Dave ive just started a PS course, would recomend that to you aswell.
 
Cason thankyou so much for the link I've just been on there for all of 10mins and feel like I have a much better understanding already, and indeed a quick couple of photos showed that to be the case as well lol.
 
cason said:
thats great, you find lots of help on here, i certainly have and I have quite a way to go, Its addictive though I find myself on here when im supposed to be working.
Click to expand...

Me too, ach well, them's the breaks!
 
ricky1980 said:
what's semi-auto? i use Aperture Priority all the time, which is auto imo.
Click to expand...

Well it's not fully auto though. The only thing that is set automatically by the camera is the shutter speedand you can control that with exposure compensation. Aperture, ISO etc are all set manually by the user.
 
Hi everyone thanks for the tips and links I've had in this section its been very helpful. Just keeping an eye out for a photo meet near me I'd love to do that, a day out with people that can give me some pointers. I've been looking on the forum but can't see anything planned!!!
 
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