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 357874 times)

Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #120 on: May 27, 2013, 05:58:50 PM »
Ha! Tell that to my boss.

Nothing for you, just provide transportation ;D ;D ;D.

True, but sometimes it's worth it. Jaywhy's idea would work too, but you'll still have to edit them, not to mention that you'll have two files to deal with now.
ill pay for the taxi from BG to my apt :-) ill even pick you up! :D

right, jaywhys idea is ok for me bec i hae all these photo editing programs (the basics) bec my wife does graphics, so she uses them here and there.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #121 on: June 03, 2013, 05:06:26 PM »
a few shots from my newest photoshoot from my roof

http://imageshack.us/g/1/10178235/

i would love to hear opinions. i am but a young grasshoper when it comes to photography
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline jaywhy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #122 on: June 03, 2013, 07:25:58 PM »
a few shots from my newest photoshoot from my roof

http://imageshack.us/g/1/10178235/

i would love to hear opinions. i am but a young grasshoper when it comes to photography
I played around with one of your photos in Lightroom for a minute. I tried to bring back some of the lost shadow detail underneath the setting sun.  http://imgur.com/7awzTiL
Shooting in raw will enable you to bring back most of the detail from the same exposure. Or you can try merging two exposures.

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #123 on: June 04, 2013, 12:03:18 AM »
Sorry everyone for the long delay between lessons - I'm planning a big trip and it's taking up most of my time. I promise there'll be another class up very soon ;D.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline sky121

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #124 on: June 04, 2013, 12:09:49 AM »
Sorry everyone for the long delay between lessons - I'm planning a big trip and it's taking up most of my time. I promise there'll be another class up very soon ;D.
Where are you going ?
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #125 on: June 04, 2013, 12:11:45 AM »
Sorry everyone for the long delay between lessons - I'm planning a big trip and it's taking up most of my time. I promise there'll be another class up very soon ;D.
ummmm. You think u can take a trip with out asking us ddfers if its ok? Or even where to go ?! :D :D eNjoy!!
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #126 on: June 04, 2013, 12:19:01 AM »
ummmm. You think u can take a trip with out asking us ddfers if its ok? Or even where to go ?! :D :D eNjoy!!

How dare you accuse me of not getting DDF'ers help planning a trip - have you no shame???!!! 10 pages of planning, starting here... :D
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #127 on: June 04, 2013, 12:21:22 AM »
Where are you going ?

Alaska - yippee!
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #128 on: June 04, 2013, 12:25:17 AM »
a few shots from my newest photoshoot from my roof

http://imageshack.us/g/1/10178235/

i would love to hear opinions. i am but a young grasshoper when it comes to photography

You asked for it - these pictures are perfect fodder for the "What makes a compelling photograph?" lesson. I daresay you'll have opinion overload when I'm through with you ;).
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #129 on: June 04, 2013, 02:13:14 AM »
How dare you accuse me of not getting DDF'ers help planning a trip - have you no shame???!!! 10 pages of planning, starting here... :D
lol.  Kol hakavod!!! That's amazing! I will read up so i can expect a nice tr when ur finished.

And im all game. You fall once get up twice. I like to learn and know my mistakes. Hence why i asked YOUR opinion. :D
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline moish

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #130 on: June 04, 2013, 06:42:03 AM »
while were waiting for the next lesson, might i recommend taking a look at tom langfords articles on jpost.com . i actually took a lesson from him

Offline SamKey

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #131 on: June 12, 2013, 07:00:06 AM »
How's Alaska?  8)

Offline bem684

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #132 on: June 12, 2013, 08:51:53 AM »
Alaska - yippee!

Awesome :)  I was just looking into RVing the Dalton Highway for next year  ;D  Then taking one  of the organized tours up to Prudhoe Bay and the north coast.

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #133 on: June 13, 2013, 03:24:17 PM »
How's about this upcoming beast?  Will probably be mad expensive with the android OS but still...
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/06/13/here-are-the-first-pictures-of-samsungs-galaxy-nx/
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

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

Offline lfas25

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #134 on: June 13, 2013, 08:52:28 PM »
I only paid 15% by switching to dansdeals

Offline Achas Veachas

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Offline lfas25

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #136 on: June 13, 2013, 09:42:52 PM »
Shouldn't this go here?

Oops I never noticed that thread
I only paid 15% by switching to dansdeals

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #137 on: June 13, 2013, 09:48:07 PM »
Is this actually a decent deal / camera?

http://www.nomorerack.com/daily_deals/view/398296-nikon_d3100_slr_camera___vr_zoom_lens_kit

Great camera, horrible deal. Besides the camera and the 55-200 lens, everything in the "kit" is worthless c**p. The tripod won't hold the camera steady, the so-called wide angle and 2x "lenses" will kill the real lenses, etc. etc.

Rather get this from B&H for a hundred bucks less.
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I only paid 15% by switching to dansdeals

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Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.