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 358091 times)

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #680 on: September 12, 2014, 01:55:48 PM »
In general what's better for taking pictures, a cloudy day or somewhat sunny?

If you want pictures of clouds I'd suggest a cloudy day. If you want to shoot the sun wait till it's somewhat sunny.
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Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #681 on: September 12, 2014, 01:56:53 PM »
Yay!
meant 2.8

anyone have a used one to sell. or know where i can buy a cheap one.

If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #682 on: September 12, 2014, 01:57:10 PM »
Sorry, I'm in a snarky mood today ;).

What's with the over-generalized, open ended questions today?
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #683 on: September 12, 2014, 01:59:00 PM »
meant 2.8

anyone have a used one to sell. or know where i can buy a cheap one.

You could check B&H and Adorama used dept., or even ebay (as long as the guy had a really good history).

Which camera is it for, and what focal length were you thinking of?
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Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #684 on: September 12, 2014, 01:59:06 PM »
Sorry, I'm in a snarky mood today ;).

What's with the over-generalized, open ended questions today?
boss didnt show, im bored...

i already set up my team for this week
orderd table, washer, dryer, and iphones...
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Centro

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #685 on: September 12, 2014, 01:59:24 PM »
If you want pictures of clouds I'd suggest a cloudy day. If you want to shoot the sun wait till it's somewhat sunny.
Lol 8),

I wanna shoot my child...

Offline rots5

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #686 on: September 12, 2014, 01:59:47 PM »
You could check B&H and Adorama used dept., or even ebay (as long as the guy had a really good history).

Which camera is it for, and what focal length were you thinking of?
nikon d3100 and i dont know. ur the camera pimp. :)
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Achas Veachas

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #687 on: September 12, 2014, 02:00:35 PM »

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #688 on: September 12, 2014, 02:12:25 PM »
nikon d3100 and i dont know. ur the camera pimp. :)

The 85 1.8 is an amazing portrait lens, and relatively cheap. On your camera, you could even use a 50 1.8 and get great portraits.

Note that only the AF-S versions of these lenses all work properly on your camera; the D (older and cheaper) versions won't autofocus.
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Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #689 on: September 12, 2014, 02:14:07 PM »
Lol 8),

I wanna shoot my child...

For portraits slightly overcast generally works better - the light is soft and beautiful. On sunnier days shooting in open shade would be preferable to shooting out in the sun.
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Offline Centro

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #690 on: September 12, 2014, 02:16:28 PM »
For portraits slightly overcast generally works better - the light is soft and beautiful. On sunnier days shooting in open shade would be preferable to shooting out in the sun.
Here you/I go!
Thanks!

Offline Centro

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #691 on: September 12, 2014, 02:22:21 PM »

Offline whYME

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #692 on: September 12, 2014, 02:52:53 PM »
I wanna shoot my child...
you should meet yehuda s :)

Offline whYME

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #693 on: September 12, 2014, 03:14:14 PM »
The 85 1.8 is an amazing portrait lens, and relatively cheap. On your camera, you could even use a 50 1.8 and get great portraits.
Just bear in mind that you'll need a lot of space for the 85. IME even with my 50 I often find myself without enough space for the shot I want. (when shooting candids etc.)

I'd like to hear Fishy's opinion, but based on my limited experience, I think you should only get the 85 (probably 50 also) if you plan on pretty much using it for posed(?) portraits where you're setting it up in an environment where you have the space you need.
If it's in your budget, I think you'll get far more use out of a zoom f/2.8 as an "everyday" lens. Although you won't get as good portraits as with the fast prime.

Offline whYME

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #694 on: September 12, 2014, 03:27:13 PM »
For portraits slightly overcast generally works better
Is there anything that sunny is better for?

Offline Centro

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #695 on: September 12, 2014, 03:30:32 PM »
Is there anything that sunny is better for?


If you want to shoot the sun wait till it's somewhat sunny.
^-^

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Offline TimT

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #698 on: September 14, 2014, 09:02:16 AM »
Ok so to shadow Rots5.... 50mm 1.8 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/864663-REG/Pentax_smc_DA_50mm_f_1_8.html
or 35mm 2.4 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/743117-USA/Pentax_21987_35mm_DA_L_F2_4.html

or any other suggestions?


For portrait photography as well....

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #699 on: September 15, 2014, 12:44:10 PM »
Some really cool shots here
http://www.brainjet.com/random/3531/15-most-creative-forced-perspective-pictures?til=d-df-3531#slide/0/0
a few are clearly photshopped, but many are great. I really loved the one with the girl and the mirror as well as the farting clouds. I'm such a 2 year old.
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