Learn Photography Master Thread

[Something Fishy]

Amazing pics!
I wish I knew how to take better pics.

Umm...can I get a photography class from you?
Wow.

I've been getting the impression around here lately that there are a great many people here (not just Dan ) who would love to get more into photography. In every trip report, half the comments on the pictures is someone wishing that they could take pictures like that, that they could maximize their camera's potential.

For a long time I've wanted to start a thread on learning photography, starting from the very basics and progressing to more and more advanced topics. I've made a rough outline (see below) of what I would like to cover.

I'm thinking this could even be more than just a simple how-to. Have a question about a certain technique? Always wanted to get a certain 'look' in a photograph and don't know how? Want to know why all your indoor pictures are blurry ? I'd be more then happy to give you my $.02. Hopefully other DDF'ers who are knowledgeable about photography could chime in as well..

This is probably gonna be a lot of work from my end, so I don't want to do it if there's not much interest. If you think this is something you'd enjoy please let me know by posting here.

Here's a rough outline of what I'd like to cover. If anyone has any ideas/recommendations/requests please let me know.

______________

Choosing a camera
Point and shoot vs. mirrorless vs. DSLR
Camera specs and what they mean
Which specs to focus on and which to ignore
Balance between needs/price/convenience

Lenses 101 - technology, terminology, and specs, zooms vs. primes, basic/advanced/unique lenses

Lighting 101 - focusing specifically on easy to afford and easy to use setups
Small flash - on camera, off camera, modifiers and accessories
Studio strobes
Continuous lighting - fluorescent, LED, and halogen
Basic light modifiers - umbrellas, softboxes, gels, reflectors
Basic supports - lightstands, umbrella brackets, backgrounds, etc.

All about accessories - memory cards, tripods, bags, filters, remotes, adapters, grips, geotaggers, and more)


So I bought all my stuff - now what?

What makes a compelling photograph?
Exposure basics - the shutter speed/aperture/ISO triangle
Depth of field
Composition basics - rule of thirds, perspective, framing
Advanced composition - negative space, inclusion and exclusion, compression
Light - natural, golden hour, basic flash usage.

Let's start shooting...

Kids:
In the park
Playing sports
At home

Landscapes and wildlife:
"Grand" landscapes
"Intimate" landscapes
Seascapes
Waterfalls
Cityscapes
Wildlife
Birds in flight
Shooting in bad weather

Portraits:
Babies and newborns
Single person - indoors
Single person - outdoors
Families/siblings/groups
Natural light
Artificial light - simple
Artificial light - complex
Mixed light

Others:
Close up and macro
Product photography

How do I...? (Some specific scenarios/techniques - Basic)
Shoot out of a plane window?
Shoot underwater?
Shoot compelling black-and-white?

How do I...? (Some specific scenarios/techniques - Advanced)
HDR
Long exposures
Light painting
Twilight landscapes
Milky Way
Star trails

Basic editing concepts:
Exposure
Contrast
Clarity/sharpening
Color
Layers and masking
______________

So... what do you think?

(A quick note on my photographic "record" and where I'm coming from:: I was a salesperson and later trainer in one of the biggest photo stores in the US, and trained salespeople in all topics I hope to cover. I currently work as a product developer for a large manufacturer, where I design and develop photo and lighting equipment and accessories. You could see a small selection of my photography on my Flickr page - click the little globe under my user name to get there.)

[Fan of Dan]

Thank you so much, myself and many others will certainly appreciate it!

[chff]

And on programs like PhotoShop etc.

[Twin]

This would be great if you would be so kind and give up some of your valuable time.
 

[popcorn1508]

This would be great if you would be so kind and give up some of your valuable time.
 

+1

[jaywhy]

Great idea.
I would be happy to contribute as well.

[Shreknit]

For people in New York B and H photo offer alot of free photography and photo editing classes in there 9th ave location. They bring in alot of big guys to teach.

[Something Fishy]

For people in New York B and H photo offer alot of free photography and photo editing classes in there 9th ave location. They bring in alot of big guys to teach.

 
I agree, they're great classes. Especially since some of them (such as the introduction to lighting ones) were co-developed by me .

[jaywhy]

I agree, they're great classes. Especially since some of them (such as the introduction to lighting ones) were co-developed by me .

You have quite the extensive curriculum.  What do you think about starting with the compositional elements and basic rules of photography first?
Most people just want to learn how to take better photos. Teaching them the basic rules of photography will be the quickest way to get them there and is applicable no matter what camera they are using.

[Shreknit]

I agree, they're great classes. Especially since some of them (such as the introduction to lighting ones) were co-developed by me .

Nice are you working with gradus now?

[DovtheBear]

Wow! I would love to learn all these things. Its awfully kind of you to volunteer like this!

[Moshe123]

Wow. You are amazing!

I would also start with the basic basics and go more advanced from there.

[Marco Polo]

Would love to start learning this.

[yossi4k]

Been dying to learn this stuff! Please share!

[Something Fishy]

What do you think about starting with the compositional elements and basic rules of photography first?
Most people just want to learn how to take better photos. Teaching them the basic rules of photography will be the quickest way to get them there and is applicable no matter what camera they are using.

I would also start with the basic basics and go more advanced from there.

I was actually thinking of doing it that way,  looks like people would find that more useful.

[Something Fishy]

Nice are you working with gradus now?

Ta-da!

[Ergel]

Would love to start learning this.

Been dying to learn this stuff! Please share!

Wow! I would love to learn all these things. Its awfully kind of you to volunteer like this!

This would be great if you would be so kind and give up some of your valuable time.
 

+4

[whYME]

+4

+1

[yehuda S]

This is great! Thanks for taking the initiative on this! I know I'm definitely interested. I'd love to know what is possible to do with a point and shoot like my Elph300 and what I would need a DSLR or manual setting camera for.

[sky121]

This is great! Thanks for taking the initiative on this! I know I'm definitely interested. I'd love to know what is possible to do with a point and shoot like my Elph300 and what I would need a DSLR or manual setting camera for.

I think this should be part of the beginners course. Learning how to use your point and shoot.