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 357859 times)

Offline AJK

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #220 on: October 25, 2013, 05:16:00 PM »
It may be the world's greatest viewfinder... But I'm not paying $2-300 for it.

... Even if it helps stabilize my shot :)


Like I said,  I'd rather have a telephoto lens and a freakin' tripod for that price!
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Offline Dan

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #221 on: October 25, 2013, 05:17:36 PM »
It may be the world's greatest viewfinder... But I'm not paying $2-300 for it.

... Even if it helps stabilize my shot :)
Lol. You'll definitely enjoy the 5 :)
Though the difference for me was less than that.

The compact lens size was what probably sealed my decision for the 6. But the combo of the 3 items (flash, size, viewfinder) made it worth the extra money once I was spending that much on my first pro camera anyway.
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.

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #222 on: October 25, 2013, 05:29:23 PM »
Lol. You'll definitely enjoy the 5 :)
Though the difference for me was less than that.

The compact lens size was what probably sealed my decision for the 6. But the combo of the 3 items (flash, size, viewfinder) made it worth the extra money once I was spending that much on my first pro camera anyway.
To my call myself even an amateaur  photographer would be generous.  But is there really a difference in quality between these and a Pentax? I've had a K-X for more than 4 years.  It's great.  (again, see my disclaimer)I

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #223 on: October 25, 2013, 05:31:00 PM »
Lol. You'll definitely enjoy the 5 :)
Though the difference for me was less than that.

The compact lens size was what probably sealed my decision for the 6. But the combo of the 3 items (flash, size, viewfinder) made it worth the extra money once I was spending that much on my first pro camera anyway.

Have you been using it for shots of the kids now?
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #224 on: October 25, 2013, 05:32:52 PM »
Have you been using it for shots of the kids now?
Yup, it's incredible.
Well worth the money.
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.

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #225 on: October 29, 2013, 08:10:37 AM »
@something fishy  I was hoping to get some advice. I've always just dabbled in photography and I would like to really practice more and improve at taking pictures. I have a Canon SLR and a Sony NEx mirrorless. I have 2 lenses for my Canon already.  I'd like to invest in some lenses. Does it matter which camera I buy lenses for? I was thinking of getting rid of the SLR for now and just invest in NEX lenses at the moment. Any reason why I'd be better off with an SLR?
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #226 on: October 29, 2013, 11:34:54 AM »
@something fishy  I was hoping to get some advice. I've always just dabbled in photography and I would like to really practice more and improve at taking pictures. I have a Canon SLR and a Sony NEx mirrorless. I have 2 lenses for my Canon already.  I'd like to invest in some lenses. Does it matter which camera I buy lenses for? I was thinking of getting rid of the SLR for now and just invest in NEX lenses at the moment. Any reason why I'd be better off with an SLR?

It matters a lot which camera you’re getting lenses for, and it also depends of what type of lenses you’re talking about.
 
In general, Canon is a better long-term investment. There are hundreds of lenses available, from Canon’s own to plenty 3rd party options (which are often as good or better than Canon). No matter what type of level of lens you want you’d have a tremendous range of options. Also, these lenses have a phenomenal resale value. You could use a lens for years and sell it in ebay for close to what you paid for it – I’ve actually made a profit a couple of times.
 
With NEX on the other end, you’re very limited in options. There are hardly any fast lenses (f/1.8 or faster), and in any given range you have very few options. There are some third party lenses available, but on a far smaller scale than for Canon. Take for instance ultra wide-angle zooms: In the Canon mount you have 12 different options, ranging from $429 (Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6) to $1499 (Canon 8-15 f/4L), and including the phenomonal Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 for under 500 bucks. With NEX, on the other hand, you have a grand total of 1 option: the Sony 10-18 f/4 for $848. The same thing happens with all other lenses – portrait, telephoto, etc. Limited options and hardly any resale market. And that’s not to mention that the quality of the Canon-mount lenses are generally better; there are very few pro-level lenses for NEX; that’s simply not the market.
 
Put simply, NEX is not a wise investment at all. For the consumer who wants a small camera with pro-quality results, it’s perfect. But once you try to build a system out if it you’d find yourself very limited. Not just with lenses; ever try to connect a remote or intervalometer to an NEX? Trigger off camera flash? Not gonna happen without lots of tinkering. With Canon on the other hand, everything’s there: insane lens selection, awesome second hand market (both buying and selling), everything you’ll ever need. And long term, the Canon mount is here to stay; any new camera will work with it 100% (APS-C vs. full frame notwithstanding). But it seems that Sony is starting to move away from NEX in favor of their new FE mount.
 
Is NEX smaller and lighter? Sure. Once you start adding lenses? Not so much anymore. Canon would be cheaper too (usually). Also remember that you could use your Canon lenses on NEX with an adapter (losing autofocus though), but you can't go the other way around.
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #227 on: October 29, 2013, 11:56:26 AM »
Right after I choose a NEX  :-X

 ;)
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #228 on: October 29, 2013, 12:00:16 PM »
Right after I choose a NEX  :-X

 ;)

Nah, as a first advanced camera a NEX is a great choice. Plus personally I end up using the Nex more than my Canon SLR for size alone.
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #229 on: October 29, 2013, 04:40:14 PM »
Right after I choose a NEX  :-X

 ;)

Right after you told me that you never plan on buying another lens except maybe a longer zoom ;).
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #230 on: October 29, 2013, 05:54:24 PM »
True,  true. Only so much time I can devote to this. Coming from a P&S,  I'm sure the quality will blow me away as it is.
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #231 on: October 30, 2013, 04:05:59 PM »
Right after you told me that you never plan on buying another lens except maybe a longer zoom ;).
you say canon is a good long term investment, as opposed to nikon?
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #232 on: October 30, 2013, 04:24:07 PM »
you say canon is a good long term investment, as opposed to nikon?

Not at all - my point was DSRL vs. NEX.

But regarding the age old Canon vs. Nikon debate, I always tell people to ignore the brand and get the camera they like; both companies make equally great cameras.



(Although Nikon rules and if you buy a Canon I WILL FIND YOU AND BEAT YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH MY TRIPOD.)
« Last Edit: October 30, 2013, 04:31:06 PM by Something Fishy »
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #233 on: October 30, 2013, 04:27:02 PM »
Not at all - my point was DSRL vs. NEX.

But regarding the age old Canon vs. Nikon debate, I always tell people to ignore the brand and get the camera they like; both companies make equally great cameras.



(Although Nikon rules you and if you buy a Canon I WILL FIND YOU AND BEAT YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH MY TRIPOD.)
lol... i have a canon sold it and bought a nikon. LOVE my nikon, when i get good pics :)

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #234 on: October 30, 2013, 04:31:55 PM »
i have a canon sold it and bought a nikon.

A man after my own heart! ;)
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #235 on: October 30, 2013, 06:50:19 PM »
A man after my own heart! ;)
I took a recent Tripp to Paris I will upload a few pics and I'll let you teachish how to shoot the Eiffel tower at night :-)
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #236 on: October 30, 2013, 10:30:56 PM »
I took a recent Tripp to Paris I will upload a few pics and I'll let you teachish how to shoot the Eiffel tower at night :-)

 :D Let's see 'em.
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #237 on: October 31, 2013, 03:18:39 AM »
:D Let's see 'em.
trying to upload em, but there to big for my free subscription at image shack, i have to go thru PS first just dont have tons of time yet lol
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #238 on: October 31, 2013, 05:01:36 AM »
:D Let's see 'em.

Here are mine. I didn't take along my tripod, hence the ledge in the second ET pic. I left it in because I thought it adds a little to the picture. Thoughts?

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #239 on: October 31, 2013, 06:45:57 PM »
Here are mine. I didn't take along my tripod, hence the ledge in the second ET pic. I left it in because I thought it adds a little to the picture. Thoughts?
love those pics.. i see why i hated Versailles... it was rainy and cold.. it looks amazing in nice weather
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