Learn Photography Master Thread

Topic Wiki

Quick tips on random subjects that come up in between classes (will add as we go along):

Food photography tips
Newborn photography tips

Table of Contents (I'll change each line to a link as we go along.)

Introduction

1) Choosing a camera: Point and Shoot vs. Mirrorless vs. DSLR
2) Camera specs: What do they mean, and which ones matter to me?
3) Exposure Basics Part 1 - the shutter speed/aperture/ISO triangle
4) Exposure Basics Part 2 - getting to know your mode dial, and other exposure controls
5) All about memory cards
6) Using ultra-wide lenses

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?
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

« Last edited by Something Fishy on February 07, 2018, 02:21:11 PM »

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:

--- Quote from: Shreknit on April 29, 2013, 08:44:59 AM ---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.

--- End quote ---

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

jaywhy:

--- Quote from: Something Fishy on April 29, 2013, 08:51:52 AM --- :D :D :D
I agree, they're great classes. Especially since some of them (such as the introduction to lighting ones) were co-developed by me ;).

--- End quote ---
;)
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:

--- Quote from: Something Fishy on April 29, 2013, 08:51:52 AM --- :D :D :D
I agree, they're great classes. Especially since some of them (such as the introduction to lighting ones) were co-developed by me ;).

--- End quote ---

Nice are you working with gradus now?