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

Poll

What type of camera do shoot with?

Point & Shoot - basic (Canon Elph style) or Smartphone
122 (36.9%)
Point & Shoot - advanced (Canon S100 or G Style)
52 (15.7%)
Mirrorless
26 (7.9%)
DSLR - consumer (Up to a Nikon D5200 or Canon Rebel)
74 (22.4%)
DSLR - prosumer or pro (Nikon D7000 or Canon 60D and up)
29 (8.8%)
P&S, but I plan on getting an SLR or Mirrorless in the near future
28 (8.5%)

Total Members Voted: 275

Author Topic: Learn Photography Master Thread  (Read 358003 times)

Offline Galitzyaner

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2961
  • Total likes: 119
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #780 on: February 15, 2015, 01:09:53 PM »
Here is my advice. To answer your question B) <$600

There is obviously no "one answer that fits everyone", but i would get (or more accurate "got") a standard mirrorless camera with about 10-16 mp. 5X+ optical zoom and a (at least) 24-64 mm lens. Make sure to do your own research, don't rely only on the merchants words.
To clarify. I was asking 3 separate questions, one for A, B, and C. 
I'm asking what the best camera someone would recommend today under $800 for an amateure.
I understand to some this question may sound ridiculous, but that's why I say, for an amateure.
Imagine you were buying someone a gift and they asked for a camera, but they really don't know much about cameras (yes, they obviously know the most basic functions).
Which one would you buy (for the above budgets).

Hope my question is clearer now.

Offline VacationLover

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2014
  • Posts: 1669
  • Total likes: 242
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #781 on: February 15, 2015, 01:13:56 PM »
To clarify. I was asking 3 separate questions, one for A, B, and C. 
I'm asking what the best camera someone would recommend today under $800 for an amateure.
I understand to some this question may sound ridiculous, but that's why I say, for an amateure.
Imagine you were buying someone a gift and they asked for a camera, but they really don't know much about cameras (yes, they obviously know the most basic functions).
Which one would you buy (for the above budgets).

Hope my question is clearer now.
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-Interchangeable-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B00I8BICB2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424023952&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+mirrorless

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NEX-5TL-Compact-Interchangeable-Digital/dp/B00ENZRP38/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1424023952&sr=8-2&keywords=sony+mirrorless

Offline Mordyk

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 4102
  • Total likes: 1015
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Some of this and some of that.
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #782 on: March 04, 2015, 11:09:31 AM »
i have the canon G15. what is the best quality sd card to buy?
#TYH

Offline whYME

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3213
  • Total likes: 1241
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile

Offline whYME

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 3213
  • Total likes: 1241
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #784 on: March 04, 2015, 04:46:50 PM »
I'm very curious what the poll results would like like if it ran again now.

Offline avadah

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 2516
  • Total likes: 38
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #785 on: March 05, 2015, 08:27:47 AM »
Can the Sony Cybershot HX50V be remote controlled with a Galaxy S5?

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #786 on: March 05, 2015, 10:14:10 AM »
Can the Sony Cybershot HX50V be remote controlled with a Galaxy S5?

Yes.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #787 on: March 05, 2015, 11:04:26 AM »
I've never been a big picture guy. I had a digital camera (regular Canon Powershot or something like that) and lost it in Meiron while in Yeshiva. Since then, all pictures have been smartphone pics. I like carrying just 1 device and not having to worry about another thing to lose while I'm travelling. Additionally, on my cell phone and on a computer screen, I think the pictures are great. I do notice that a picture from a DSLR looks clearer online, but I'm find with my cell phone pics on screen. However, when I print them in books or blow them up on canvases, they seem to always come out darker and not as clear as when they were on my screen.

Is that one of the big differences between pics from a cell phone vs. a "real" camera?

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8710
  • Total likes: 6077
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #788 on: March 05, 2015, 11:13:04 AM »
I've never been a big picture guy. I had a digital camera (regular Canon Powershot or something like that) and lost it in Meiron while in Yeshiva. Since then, all pictures have been smartphone pics. I like carrying just 1 device and not having to worry about another thing to lose while I'm travelling. Additionally, on my cell phone and on a computer screen, I think the pictures are great. I do notice that a picture from a DSLR looks clearer online, but I'm find with my cell phone pics on screen. However, when I print them in books or blow them up on canvases, they seem to always come out darker and not as clear as when they were on my screen.

Is that one of the big differences between pics from a cell phone vs. a "real" camera?

Yes, among others. The issue you're talking about is more or less dynamic range, and will be infinitely better with a real camera.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline avadah

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 2516
  • Total likes: 38
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #789 on: March 05, 2015, 12:58:40 PM »
Yes.
Thanks. I see now it's not letting me download the app because I'miss in Israel.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #790 on: March 06, 2015, 11:26:46 AM »
Yes, among others. The issue you're talking about is more or less dynamic range, and will be infinitely better with a real camera.
Thanks. My second biggest concern is getting my pictures online. I love that I can send pics straight from my phone to FB. Can real cameras do that? Need to pay for a data plan? Only with wifi?

Offline ChAiM'l

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1823
  • Total likes: 51
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #791 on: March 06, 2015, 11:33:29 AM »
Thanks. My second biggest concern is getting my pictures online. I love that I can send pics straight from my phone to FB. Can real cameras do that? Need to pay for a data plan? Only with wifi?

Honestly, from the sound of it, you're probably better off sticking with your smartphone. If you are willing to sacrifice the quality of the picture for the convenience of having a camera in your phone and not having to bother with transferring, uploading etc., then a phone is the way too go.

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #792 on: March 06, 2015, 12:21:37 PM »
Honestly, from the sound of it, you're probably better off sticking with your smartphone. If you are willing to sacrifice the quality of the picture for the convenience of having a camera in your phone and not having to bother with transferring, uploading etc., then a phone is the way too go.
Figures. Yeah, I'm not one who's into the quality of the pic too much, especially since most of my picture-viewing is done on phones/computers. It would be nice somehow to get high quality prints for the times I do print, but if there's no convenient way to do that, then you're right - I'll just stick with my smartphone.

Offline EJB

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 5409
  • Total likes: 254
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #793 on: March 06, 2015, 01:39:24 PM »
Thanks. My second biggest concern is getting my pictures online. I love that I can send pics straight from my phone to FB. Can real cameras do that? Need to pay for a data plan? Only with wifi?

There are real cameras that can do that. But they usually require wifi.

Offline noturbizniss

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 7116
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: North Jersey
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #794 on: March 06, 2015, 01:51:28 PM »
Figures. Yeah, I'm not one who's into the quality of the pic too much, especially since most of my picture-viewing is done on phones/computers. It would be nice somehow to get high quality prints for the times I do print, but if there's no convenient way to do that, then you're right - I'll just stick with my smartphone.
Your tune will change once @yehuda Jr enters the frame 8)
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline chucksterace

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 6880
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 40
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • LYNX IT Consulting
  • Location: Chicago, Jerusalem
  • Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA Premier 1K; ; LY Plat; Hyatt Platinum; Hertz President's Circle; Avis President's Club
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #795 on: March 15, 2015, 12:15:03 AM »
First time playing at night.


You may not hold me responsible for any actions taken that were recommended from my account or username.

Offline grodnoking

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 5847
  • Total likes: 767
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #796 on: March 15, 2015, 12:47:56 AM »
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline Fan of Dan

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3029
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #797 on: March 15, 2015, 01:30:50 AM »
First time playing at night.
Keep on playing!! Looks great.

Offline noturbizniss

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 7116
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: North Jersey
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #798 on: March 15, 2015, 09:54:00 AM »
First time playing at night.


What's the exposure info? Just Curious
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline chucksterace

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 6880
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 40
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • LYNX IT Consulting
  • Location: Chicago, Jerusalem
  • Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA Premier 1K; ; LY Plat; Hyatt Platinum; Hertz President's Circle; Avis President's Club
Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #799 on: March 20, 2015, 04:04:26 AM »
Played again tonight:


The Milky way escaping from the rocks. (At least I think that is part of the Milky Way)
You may not hold me responsible for any actions taken that were recommended from my account or username.