Learning Photography

Stepper_T

Stepper_T

Active member
Recently bought a Camera (Canon 250D - yes this may end up on the 'lockdown purchases you regret list').

I know there are a few keen photographers amongst us, I was wondering is it best to just get out there and take pictures and learn on the job? Or would it be a good idea to do some sort of photography course? If so which one? Pretty much a total noob.
 
I never did any photography courses and did photos at all the big local festivals (music live, fringe etc) as well as working as a wedding photographer, although don't do it anymore

I'd find a good book for the basics, and learn how to use manual mode

strobist was a good resource on lighting https://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html?m=1


But you want basics first like shutter speed, aperture, iso and so forth

once you understand what all the elements mean and how they relate to each other, get out there taking photos and learn how to edit them in lightroom or photoshop, loads of books for each of those out there

what is it you want to photograph?
 
Thanks for those tips will look fo a good book on the basics.

Erm, a bit of everything to begin with I guess but more so outdoorsy stuff - landscapes, the coast/hills, landmarks etc if that makes sense.
 
I’d personally find a photography YouTube channel to learn from over a book. Photography is visual and I would learn quicker that way but everyone is different.

You’ll be able to see instantly how the exposure triangle will effect different images. From depth of field, freezing action, motion blur etc.

I think Jared Polin on YouTube has some beginner videos from back in the day… he does.
His quick tips playlist -



Hope it helps 👍
 
Also, one of the first things I would do if I was you is purchase a second hand prime, a 35mm 1.8 would be prefect but I think you’d have a 1.6x crop on that camera.

You won’t be able to zoom with a prime and you’ll be fixed to that focal length but you’ll be able to play with depth of field and have nice blurry/creamy backgrounds.

It will also help shooting in low light.

If you’re editing your photos in lightroom or similar, shoot Raw to have more control.
If you’re not bothered about editing, shoot Jpeg.
 
nowthen said:
Also, one of the first things I would do if I was you is purchase a second hand prime, a 35mm 1.8 would be prefect but I think you’d have a 1.6x crop on that camera.

You won’t be able to zoom with a prime and you’ll be fixed to that focal length but you’ll be able to play with depth of field and have nice blurry/creamy backgrounds.

It will also help shooting in low light.

If you’re editing your photos in lightroom or similar, shoot Raw to have more control.
If you’re not bothered about editing, shoot Jpeg.
Click to expand...
That's great, thank you for the advice.
 
I’ve just part exchanged all of my DSLR Nikon gear to go mirrorless with Sony.

Your 75-300mm is a telephoto zoom. Not sure if the 1.6x crop will also occur as well. I don’t know canon systems sorry.
 
If you want some
Free tuition. And live around Teesside I’d be happy to show you some good techniques. Message me and we can sort out a meet.
 
Stepper_T said:
Recently bought a Camera (Canon 250D - yes this may end up on the 'lockdown purchases you regret list').

I know there are a few keen photographers amongst us, I was wondering is it best to just get out there and take pictures and learn on the job? Or would it be a good idea to do some sort of photography course? If so which one? Pretty much a total noob.
Click to expand...
Some people are better at just taking pictures and learning from there, but for me I found it better to do some reading up. If you can figure out what aperture, shutter speed and ISO are all doing, and how those can massively impact light, and ultimately the exposure of your pictures, then you will learn what you're doing wrong very quickly.

Once you know what you're doing wrong, and why, you can learn how to do things right and then get the most out of your gear.

If you can get to a level of being able to use manual mode, in any light setting, select a shutter speed, aperture and ISO and it not end up pitch black or brighter than the sun first go, then you're learning. You won't need to do this to take pictures, as you can us Aperture/ Shutter priority and Auto ISO, but it will ensure you can open the door to getting the best results.

Get out of fully auto as fast as possible, otherwise, it will do you more harm than good.
 
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