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[Soap]

Hi guys! (and girls )

I was wondering what is necessary to become a reasonable photographer?
The last few weeks i'm getting more and more intrested in the world that is called "photography". But there is so much information and there is so much to learn...
I can use a little help here  
I'm not talking about the "party" picture kind of photography, but more in the Kristof kinda photography    

So, who has some tips on which cameras, handy websites, nice learning courses, handy computer tools, etc?
I also love to know which camera you are using at the moment and what kind of photos you like? (Examples are welcome )
I now own a Canon IXUS 70. Just a handy quick snap camera, but not the best camera for some more detailed pictures. With some tweaking the pictures are acceptable, but for more depth it's just not enough.
(//http://imall.ntu.edu.sg/pic/canon_ixus_70_zoom2.jpg)

I hope you guys can help me and share my intrest in photography in this topic
Thanks in advance, Soap a.k.a. Marlon.

[Alpop]

My personal favourite top tip is learn to use the camera without the flash.
Most of my photos I try to do flash free. This means you can get more natural looking photos. or at least capture lights, fireworks etc.

BUT there are times when you do need the flash though.

[Bamperoony]

Hi Soap.
My first tip would be to get yourself a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. The vast majority of these allow a far greater degree of control over what's going on than relying on the camera to decide things for you which is the case with most compacts. At the same time they usually have an array of automatic programmes which allow you to adjust just one variable (either shutter speed or aperture) at a time and this in turn allows you to get to know exactly what effect the different adjustments make.

With regard to the camera and software, I use a Nikon so i chose their own "Capture NX" software but I know a lot of people use "Adobe Photo shop" and are more than happy with the results. With regard to chosing a camera, i would heartily agree with a comment someone made on another post and that is "Buy Quality not pixels". My camera is 10.2Mpixels but I know that cameras of 6.1Mp are capable of producing prints larger than A4 without any sign of "pixellation" whatsoever so judging just on the pixel count would be a mistake.

As for sources of information, The good old internet is unbeatable. The only risk is that you might get so much information that you get "Information overload" and have to lie down in a darkened room for a while!

Lastly, I know there are many dedicated photographers who are members of this forum and would probably be only too glad to pontificate if you have any specific questions (myself included). Remember, a good photograph is a thing of beauty and to be able to produce such a thing gives one of the best feelings in the world.  

[Alpop]

For technical information I found that a WDW Disney site gave some good clues.
The magic in Pixels.com http://www.themagicinpixels.com/
has a gallery and under each photo has put all the settings of the camera.
BUT these setting may not be the exact formula for your camera.

[Soap]

Hi Soap.
My first tip would be to get yourself a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. The vast majority of these allow a far greater degree of control over what's going on than relying on the camera to decide things for you which is the case with most compacts. At the same time they usually have an array of automatic programmes which allow you to adjust just one variable (either shutter speed or aperture) at a time and this in turn allows you to get to know exactly what effect the different adjustments make.

I'm indeed looking into buying a dslr camera. I'm a newcomer so i would like to start with  a camera in the 500 - 1000euro budget. But what's a good choice? Most start with a body and a good extra lens(es)? But what are solid choices?
I know that most things are personal choices, but what's most common and solid combinations?

And well yes, internet.....overwelming sometimes yes  :roll:

Thx for your reaction Bamperoony!

[Epcot_Boy]

Hi guys! (and girls )

I was wondering what is necessary to become a reasonable photographer?
The last few weeks i'm getting more and more intrested in the world that is called "photography". But there is so much information and there is so much to learn...
I can use a little help here  
I'm not talking about the "party" picture kind of photography, but more in the Kristof kinda photography    

So, who has some tips on which cameras, handy websites, nice learning courses, handy computer tools, etc?
I also love to know which camera you are using at the moment and what kind of photos you like? (Examples are welcome )
I now own a Canon IXUS 70. Just a handy quick snap camera, but not the best camera for some more detailed pictures. With some tweaking the pictures are acceptable, but for more depth it's just not enough.
(//http://imall.ntu.edu.sg/pic/canon_ixus_70_zoom2.jpg)

I hope you guys can help me and share my intrest in photography in this topic
Thanks in advance, Soap a.k.a. Marlon.

Now that could take some time to answer.   but I would recommend you take a look at //http://www.photoanswers.co.uk...I reckon this is one of the best photography sites on the net. You'll get most of your questions answered here

As regards camera equpment, well there are endless choices, from point and shoots to full frame DSLR's. If you really are interested in moving up a level I would certainly recommend an entry level one, like a Canon or Nikon model.......I however use a Sony Alpha 350 which has excellent live view and helps with the transition from compact to DSLR =D>

But......there is a new compact out which has most of the features of a DSLR but without the bulk, and obviously no interchangeable lenses.....it's the Panasonic LX3.....and what I have seen of the pictures....well they are superb and a match for most entry level DSLR's. I will be getting one next week, I can't wait to try it.
It can be found here.//http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/1464999/index.html

Anyhow..........give Photoanswers a glance........it's well worth a look :wink:

Happy clicking.........and looking forward to seeing some of your work....

Epcot_Boy :ears:

[Soap]

Thanks for the usefull link epcot_boy, looks indeed very promissing :-D

And well, i will surely let some of my work pass here on our magical forum!!
But first thing first.....equipment en developing skills  :oops:

[Nicholas-c]

start slow doing basics and doing things manually when u have learnt how to do it manually get an upgrade (Canon 1000D or something) where u can have ultimate control on all settings, "zoom" and flash (Try and avoid flash where possible, hard thing to master)

[burntsienna]

Shutter speeds, exposure and flash are some of the things I'd say were really quite important.
With flash though, sometimes it can be better, depending on your camera, and whether it does a really bright flash which whites out the image (which isn't so good) but if it just does a fill in flash like a flash gun would do then the results can be really quite nice.
With exposure its just finding the balance so that your image isn't too dark or too light.
Shutter speeds I find are great though, depending on the effect you want to give, e.g if you want to photograph the fire works really clearly then a fast shutter speed will get them at a percentage of a second (depending on how fast you set it) but if you want to show the movement of the fire works then a slower speed would be needed. But for that its best to have a tripod so that the rest of the image is in focus.
But that's just my personal preferance

[Soap]

Great advice guys! My focus is indeed to start small and simple and first master the basic techics of photography.

I'm looking into these bodies atm:
- Nikon D60 + 18-55 VR
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/webcont ... 024534.jpg
- Olympus E-510
http://www.pixelmania.nl/content/images ... -510-1.jpg
- Canon EOS 50D body
http://www.ecom4vn.net/photo_blogs/CanonEOS50D.jpg

But usefull tips or user reviews/experencies are more then welcome!

[Epcot_Boy]

Great advice guys! My focus is indeed to start small and simple and first master the basic techics of photography.

I'm looking into these bodies atm:
- Nikon D60 + 18-55 VR
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/webcont ... 024534.jpg
- Olympus E-510
http://www.pixelmania.nl/content/images ... -510-1.jpg
- Canon EOS 50D body
http://www.ecom4vn.net/photo_blogs/CanonEOS50D.jpg

But usefull tips or user reviews/experencies are more then welcome!

Good choices..........to help.........

For the Nikon go here//http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/

For the Olympus go here//http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse510/

For the Canon go here//http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canoneos50d/

Epcot_Boy :ears:

[Nicholas-c]

This sounds really evil but those cameras are really really out of range. high end cameras for pros.

For a started DSLR i would recommend a Canon 1000D (Or 450D depending on budget) then move up

[burntsienna]

I have the 450D and its really quite simple, a lot easier to use than my Fujifilm one.

[Epcot_Boy]

This sounds really evil but those cameras are really really out of range. high end cameras for pros.

For a started DSLR i would recommend a Canon 1000D (Or 450D depending on budget) then move up

 :? I'm afraid I have to disagree

The D60 is a entry level DSLR ( Just a step up from the original D40 ) and is very simple to use :wink:

The E510 is also a entry level DSLR and is really only a step up from the E410 (Allows more customization than the E410 )

The Canon is really just an updated EOS40D :wink:

So to me these are really just entry level DSLR's. Professionals would be using Sony Alpha 900's, Canon EOS 5D Mk11 or Nikon D3's, they are pro cameras.

The D60, E510 and Canon are all good entry level cameras and I would still recommend them to newbies :wink:  

However, if the truth be known I would myself actually go for a Sony Alpha 200 or 300 for a recommendation.......but most people seem to play safe and opt for a Canon or a Nikon. It's a shame really though because the A200 and 300 are superb entry camera's and the Live View on the 300 is the best in it's class.

Epcot_Boy :ears:

[Nicholas-c]

This sounds really evil but those cameras are really really out of range. high end cameras for pros.

For a started DSLR i would recommend a Canon 1000D (Or 450D depending on budget) then move up

 :? I'm afraid I have to disagree

The D60 is a entry level DSLR ( Just a step up from the original D40 ) and is very simple to use :wink:

The E510 is also a entry level DSLR and is really only a step up from the E410 (Allows more customization than the E410 )

The Canon is really just an updated EOS40D :wink:

So to me these are really just entry level DSLR's. Professionals would be using Sony Alpha 900's, Canon EOS 5D Mk11 or Nikon D3's, they are pro cameras.

The D60, E510 and Canon are all good entry level cameras and I would still recommend them to newbies :wink:  

Epcot_Boy :ears:

Well yea but the 50D is out of range for someone who is just starting  They are high end entry level cameras is what i meant

Also, The sony camera are very good but they seem to lack the lenses compared to the canons/Nikon's

Edit : Its Canon 5D MK II (Mark 2)

Edit 2: Also, you dont "Need" a DSLR as such, start "learning" some techniques at home and do small things like this... http://flickr.com/photos/nicholas-c/2967756655/
4 pieces A4 paper, pencils and manual "exposure"