The best way to learn?

The goblin

The goblin

<span class="poty">POTY Winner 2015</span></br>
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Name
Marsha
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Hi

So I've been dabbling in photography for a while and am getting more irritated at my inablity to produce sharp well exposed images! I bought a 7D in January but due to work and family commitments I just haven't had the time to really sit and read books or learn my way around this camera properly!

I've come to the distinct conclusion I need to sign up for a course somewhere. I did the PP DSLR bootcamp this year that I enjoyed but I feel I need to actually spend time and learn properly one on one with someone.

My time is precious and usually stolen by work and children! So short courses are better.

I live at Benson in Oxfordshire if anyone can recommend a course. I would be happy to spend some time following any other togs around for some tips. I particularly need to learn about metering and exposure.

Thanks in advance.
 
Learn by doing, has always been my moto :thumbs: and that goes for anything in my life not just photography :thumbs: I know that some people learn in different ways something to do with left or right brained :lol:

Don't discount our very own section on guides and tutorials HERE

Also if you want to meet up with other photographers to get some practical experience and advise the check out the Meeting place section, it's very active and there are regular meets of members all over the country HERE

At the danger of being terribly cliched TP is a wonderful place to learn about photography I have learnt so much since joining this forum :thumbs:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
Just Dave thanks for that link I will watch that video at some point.

MWHCVT said:
Learn by doing, has always been my moto :thumbs: and that goes for anything in my life not just photography :thumbs: I know that some people learn in different ways something to do with left or right brained :lol
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I generally learn better by doing and watching others which is why I think a course or day with someone that knows more than me would help.

hoolio said:
It may be worth you giving Keith a call at the Photographers workshop in Oxford, not far they do tuition or could recommend something i'm sure.
http://www.photographersworkshop.co.uk/
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I will email them, thank you for that.
 
Most of the time I've learnt best by reading up on something, then going out and trying it. Generally if I read about something, how to do it, etc. then I can put what I've read about into practice and play around with ideas.

You mentioned your work is divided by work and kids - use your kids as subjects and take lots of shots of them?

The one thing I've learnt over the past year is; practice, practice, practice! That's the best way to learn
 
AllFallD0wn said:
You mentioned your work is divided by work and kids - use your kids as subjects and take lots of shots of them?
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I practice on them a lot! So much so the little darlings run away as soon as I get the camera out!
It infuriates me too that my husband works well as a barricade, always getting in the way of what could have been a decent shot!
 
The goblin said:
I practice on them a lot! So much so the little darlings run away as soon as I get the camera out!
It infuriates me too that my husband works well as a barricade, always getting in the way of what could have been a decent shot!
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I remember when I first got my DLSR. The first week I took about 500 shots of my cat. He still stays out of the way when he sees it ;)
 
Courses aside I'd say read the guides available on here, go take some photos, put them on here for people's comments/critique and then go away and take them again trying to correct any problems people found with them.

You may need a bit of a thick skin to not take any criticism personally but I reckon it's about the quickest (and cheapest) way to improve your images :)

The 7D is a bit of a beast to get used to and the key is setting the AF system to suit your style/subject. What lens(es) are you using with it?
 
Russ77 said:
You may need a bit of a thick skin to not take any criticism personally but I reckon it's about the quickest (and cheapest) way to improve your images :)
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Thankfully I'm very thick skinned!

I am mostly using my 17-55 F2.8 IS lens. Due to the shorter nights I've only really been taking photos inside. I recently splashed out on the very nice 70-200 F2.8 II IS but it's a little too long indoors so hasn't been used much for a few weeks.

I also have my 85 F1.8 prime that hasn't seen much use recently. I do forget how good this lens is but it's also too long to catch my kids with!

JSER said:
Join a club
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I would love to. Lack of time and shift work make clubs difficult though!
 
The goblin said:
Thankfully I'm very thick skinned!

I am mostly using my 17-55 F2.8 IS lens. Due to the shorter nights I've only really been taking photos inside. I recently splashed out on the very nice 70-200 F2.8 II IS but it's a little too long indoors so hasn't been used much for a few weeks.

I also have my 85 F1.8 prime that hasn't seen much use recently. I do forget how good this lens is but it's also too long to catch my kids with!



I would love to. Lack of time and shift work make clubs difficult though!
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Have you tried the 50mm f1.8?

It really is a superb lens at an incredibly low price and is ideal for pics taken indoors.

I have taken literally thousands of pics of kids with this lens.

.
 
Then I have found that (having done a few) the OU (Open University) is a great place to look
 
Hi, if you can find a copy or download a copy of Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson you will be able to find out where you are going wrong with the exposure. I read it a while ago and it helped me a lot, it's explained in a way that makes it easy to understand and remember when you are out shooting.
Also, if its the sharpness thats a problem, have you got a UV filter on your lens. I had them on all my lenses and was disappointed with the results I was getting. I took the UV filters off to try and the difference awas unbelieveable. Consistant sharpness from all my lenses and now I only use filters if I'm in an extra dusty or wet area to shoot.
 
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