Technical > Digital Imaging > [Help] New Toy

[Help] New Toy

The only advice I can think of at the moment is to shoot shoot shoot! And get to know your camera inside out, learn everything it will do, when and where to apply it. And always particularly pay close attention to the lighting conditions of the areas and subjects you're going to shoot. Look at it from different angles and determine where you need to be to capture the best result you can. And most of all, have fun with it! Looking forward to seeing your work.
--
My other Gallery

reply to Doctoree
One thing that sometimes helps a beginner it to find a subject material they enjoy, which may be related to another hobby, and start taking pictures of that.

If the hobby is something you know well, the real benefit is that you will "know" how the pictures should "feel" when you get back home and view them. Photography is about "nice pictures" but it is (at least to me) about emotion and passion. Ask yourself, can you visually convey the feelings you were experiencing when you took that picture? With a hobby that you know well, it makes it easier to remember those feelings.
Also by using a "co-hobby", you don't have to "search out" subjects. Not that looking for new subjects is a bad thing, but for new photographers, it sometime seems that there's "too much" going on. So having the comfort level of a known subject, makes it a little easier.

As well, the advice to shoot, shoot, shoot is a pretty good one but I suggest that one step back and maybe shoot a little less (so maybe shoot, shoot). It seems that often times people will sacrifice good composition and just "fix" it on the computer. Equally as disheartening is when people can't even tell when something has been "fixed" on the computer and accept the "new reality". So I would spend time with composition and setting up shots, and less in post production if I could. In fact I often suggest not doing any post production at all. Take the pictures, learn from any mistakes or positive experiences, and grow as a photographer. There's plenty of time to be spent in front of a computer later...but photography is improved by spending time on the camera, not on the computer...ESPECIALLY in the beginning.

The concept of photographic studies of a subject is sometimes lost in this modern world as well. By this I mean the classic study of a particular subject for a reasonable duration with an attention to detail. This can manifest itself again in your "co-hobby".
Let us say for this discussion, you like motorcycles, in fact we will narrow it down to 250cc supercross.
This subject will give you several different subjects to study. I would start with the static study of an individual bike, taking pictures at various different settings, and maximizing your time with the various settings you have available to you. You can also experiment with lighting, lenses, filters etc and so on...but be slow in your changes and try not to change more than two things at once during the static study period. Remember a study is as much about your technique as it is about composition...this is where you can "learn" you camera, in a structured environment.
I often suggest having a photographers notebook, with digital cameras it's nice because captured with most images are the technical photographic elements and the photos are nicely numbered...BUT for all the technology, the camera can not capture your thoughts while you were taking that picture, the "what you hoped to capture"; the "what emotions did you feel", etc and so on. For that a small notepad is a good thing to have. Put your feelings next to to the picture numbers as displayed...one or two words...to remind you what your "minds eye" saw that you were not able to capture.

As things progress, you can expand out to include people, events, action shots, again sticking with your "co-hobby" for a learning period. Now that isn't to say you should ONLY do that but always work forward from the "comfort" of a known subject. There is nothing worse than walking into a "great shot" and not having the sufficient skills to accurately capture the emotion, complexity and beauty of it.

After all that the BEST advice I can give you is to have fun...if all the above sounds too much like work, maybe just adopt portions of it as you go along...or maybe none at all.
Photography is really about passion, and if you find that passion waining because the above seems too much like work, just go out and shoot and have fun.

reply to Doctoree
Thanks for your replies. I will try to remember Anon.
I know I will be needing this forums help as I learn
to use this new toy:) I'm so excited about this, I've read so much material the last couple of days. I'm gonna go out today and try to put some of what I've read into practice.
There is really a lot to learn. Like I said this is my first real digital camera.
I have a member of this site who's like a brother to me.
He has really been there for me through it all. He knew my Birthday was coming up and He got this wonderful present for me so I could have a very rewarding hobby and to take my mind off other things.
I really look forward to growing in this and know all of you here will help If I ask.
Thanks Doc
--
Doc, BellSouth, Dell Dim 8100, Pentium 4 1.28Ghz, 512 MB Ram, XP Pro, Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, Client is Laptop Dell, XP Pro

The one thing I didn't see mentioned is to read the manual. Many times, lol! A lot go a little beyond just showing you where the functions are, but also how they work and what the effect will be. Good luck and don't be discouraged if things don't work out right away.

reply to Doctoree
Good luck with it this should make you some fine photos.

I have the Fuji S9100 and enjoy it very much as you will come to do the same with yours.

Just take your time have fun and shoot a ton of shots to get used to and comfortable with the camera.
--
****aka The WIZARD **** A Founding member Seti BBR Team Starfire****

reply to Doctoree
Just get to feeling the camera in your hands and to taking shots. Find things that interest you. Don't worry about if they interest anyone else. Just take pictures and see the results. My advice, also, is not to read the manual until after you've done a little shooting and start getting the feel of the unit. Then, as you shoot more, try out each adjustment you can and see what it does, bit by bit, reading the manual as you go along. Don't read too much at one time, but just that one thing that you're working on. Go onto something else after you're fairly comfortable with one setting. See what everything feels like, post back here, and I am sure everyone will be more than happy to help where they can. First, just jump in and start shooting as if you knew what you were doing!
--
JKK

Age is a very high price to pay for my maturity. If I can't stay young, I can at least stay immature!

»www.pbase.com/jaykaykay

Thanks All, went out and shot about
150 photos today, didn't do to bad.
I want to learn how to set up my camera manually.
The Aperture and shutter speed flash etc.
I know that will come with time, will keep at it.
Thanks Doc
--
Doc, BellSouth, Dell Dim 8100, Pentium 4 1.28Ghz, 512 MB Ram, XP Pro, Linksys WRT54GS wireless router, Client is Laptop Dell, XP Pro