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 358071 times)

Offline akivak

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1140 on: December 07, 2015, 12:05:24 AM »
As long as we're posting menorah pictures here's one I took years back


Wow!

Offline etech0

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1141 on: December 07, 2015, 08:32:23 AM »
Wow!
+1

and we can tell it's not from last night :)
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1142 on: December 09, 2015, 01:30:21 AM »
Lens cap rant!

Figured it will be useful to post it here for those who don't read trip reports.
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Offline Zalc

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1143 on: December 09, 2015, 03:44:16 AM »
Lens cap rant!

Figured it will be useful to post it here for those who don't read trip reports.
I get that scratches are insignificant, but doesn't leaving your front element exposed  wear down the anti glare coating?

Also, do modern cheap mirrorless lenses have tough enough front elements?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1144 on: December 10, 2015, 10:42:39 AM »
I get that scratches are insignificant, but doesn't leaving your front element exposed  wear down the anti glare coating?

Also, do modern cheap mirrorless lenses have tough enough front elements?

I just had a good look at my Sony mirrorless lens (the old 18-55). After around five years of tossing it into a purse among a million random things and no lens cap, there are exactly ZERO scratches or deficiencies to be seen.

The anti-glare coating is not something that could be worn down, short of some sort of chemical reaction. I remember reading something years ago of a lens getting destroyed by aircraft de-icing spray, but under normal circumstances you have nothing to worry about.

That article you linked to is a perfect example of the point I'm trying to make, thanks.
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Offline EJB

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1145 on: December 10, 2015, 11:39:10 AM »
Lens cap rant!

Figured it will be useful to post it here for those who don't read trip reports.

Even while you're not carrying your lens??? I'd be afraid it would accumulate more dust and take more time to clean.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1146 on: December 10, 2015, 11:54:45 AM »
Even while you're not carrying your lens??? I'd be afraid it would accumulate more dust and take more time to clean.

Shouldn't take more than a couple of seconds to clean a lens. One of the things most coatings do is give the lens anti-static properties, so that dust settles but does not stick. One good blow will remove the vast majority of dust.

And if you keep your stuff in a camera bag (I don't) dust isn't a problem to begin with.
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Offline PBaruch

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1147 on: December 10, 2015, 12:09:52 PM »
I use these cleaning cloths - pricey but very very good.

http://www.adorama.com/CPCML.html
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Offline Emkay

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1148 on: December 11, 2015, 05:24:24 AM »

Offline wayfe

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1149 on: December 11, 2015, 11:07:34 AM »
Why do Instagram photos seem to look good even while demoing seeming to defy all accepted rules? Or is it something specifically about the square photos?
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Offline borsht

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1150 on: December 18, 2015, 03:49:06 PM »
Shouldn't take more than a couple of seconds to clean a lens. One of the things most coatings do is give the lens anti-static properties, so that dust settles but does not stick. One good blow will remove the vast majority of dust.

And if you keep your stuff in a camera bag (I don't) dust isn't a problem to begin with.

Do you have any write ups on flash photography?

Offline TimT

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1151 on: December 19, 2015, 09:37:07 PM »

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1152 on: December 19, 2015, 10:18:11 PM »
Are these possible with a Sony A6000 ?

That's what they were taken with.
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Offline TimT

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1153 on: December 19, 2015, 10:23:54 PM »
That's what they were taken with.
Oh, I didn't see any mention of it there. And with the regular 16-55 lens ?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1154 on: December 19, 2015, 10:25:42 PM »
Oh, I didn't see any mention of it there. And with the regular 16-55 lens ?

16-50, yes.
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Offline TimT

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1155 on: December 19, 2015, 10:26:51 PM »

Offline Mordyk

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1156 on: December 20, 2015, 12:23:41 AM »
I remember reading somewhere on ddf regarding professional printing. Can anyone guide me to that post or just give me some info regarding where to print.  TIA
#TYH

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1157 on: December 20, 2015, 12:44:00 AM »
I remember reading somewhere on ddf regarding professional printing. Can anyone guide me to that post or just give me some info regarding where to print.  TIA

AdoramaPix, White House Custom Color, and Mpix are all good choices.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1158 on: December 23, 2015, 05:48:41 PM »
I'm putting together a group to buy a http://kelbyone.com/ subscription. Training on photography, Lightroom, Photoshop, and all kinds of related subjects. My cost is $139/yr. The more people we get, the cheaper it'll be for everyone. Multiple people could be logged in and watch videos at once; I've done it last year already.

Anyone want to join?
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Offline Work-for-ur-muny

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1159 on: December 23, 2015, 05:50:13 PM »
I'm putting together a group to buy a http://kelbyone.com/ subscription. Training on photography, Lightroom, Photoshop, and all kinds of related subjects. My cost is $139/yr. The more people we get, the cheaper it'll be for everyone. Multiple people could be logged in and watch videos at once; I've done it last year already.

Anyone want to join?
I'm in!

I've heard of them. How do you compare it to lynda.com?