Recommendations for a beginner photographer

[fireman32]

Hey guys! I've been searching this forum for awhile now and have some questions.

I am looking to get into the photography game as a hobby. I have virtually no experience with cameras other than in my cell phone and a cheap digital camera. I have very little knowledge on the features of a camera or lens technology.

So my question(s) to the more experienced photographers here are:
1) How did you learn about photography? Are you self taught or did you take a college class on photography or something similar?
2) I want to become experienced enough to buy and use a DSLR effectively eventually. Do you recommend springing for a beginner DLSR right away or do you recommend a "bridge" camera or perhaps one of the new mirror-less cameras?
3) What books do you recommend for an absolute beginner?

Other information about me. My main goal is to become enough of a competent photographer to take some good pictures while I'm studying abroad in England next year. So initially my photos will mostly be of the more famous English sites (Parliament, Big Ben, the Eye, etc. and also as a huge soccer/football fan Wembley, Old Trafford, Anfield, any other stadium I can go to). But eventually I would like to get into more nature shots and possibly sports (although that would be a long way off).

Any and all recommendations are appreciated.

1. I am mostly self taught. I did take a beginner class at a local studio that had a living social coupon for 50% off. After that I read a lot and visited all the different photo sites and forums like froknowsphoto.com. I joined some of the local camera clubs and asked lots of questions and it also helped me go out and shoot a lot of different subjects.

2.I would say set a budget and try to find a good used DSLR. I bought a used Nikon D60 from my local camera shop. If you are going to spend your money on gear save it for some good glass. I know that you mentioned that you want to shoot sports and you will need some fast glass to get some good shots. You can always later upgrade the body but you will always keep good glass. After 6 months with my D60 I upgraded to a used D200 which I still have and I am now saving to upgrade to a full frame camera. Whatever camera you buy make sure to read the manual and really learn the camera so when you are out shooting you know how to make changes without looking through a manual on a shoot.

3. As far as books I would recommend Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson. It is a fantastic book and he also has a ton of videos online.

The most important thing to do is practice. The beauty of digital is that you can shoot as much as you want and not have to worry about running out of film. Also you can see if you like what you shot right away and make changes. After learning the basics I forced myself to shoot manual all of the time as it slows you down and makes you think before taking the shot and it really allows you to experiment with your photos and get good exposures. Good luck and look forward to hear what you buy.

 

[a.jfred]

A lot has been said already so I'll keep it brief:


- Don't bother studying photography at a college. If you want to do further education, photography is the last thing a photographer needs. You'll be wasting money which could be otherwise spent on a useful degree, traveling or more equipment (or all three).

I'm not a full-time photographer, BTW.

The 2 pieces of advice I was ever given by a professional photographer:

1. If you really want to take college-classes, then major in business. If you want to make photography your career, business classes will be far more useful
2. If you want to make money from photography, then dig ditches for a living (at least to start).

 

[Phrasikleia]

The 2 pieces of advice I was ever given by a professional photographer:

1. If you really want to take college-classes, then major in business. If you want to make photography your career, business classes will be far more useful

Alas, there is a difference between a good photographer and a commercially successful one, and neither status guarantees the other.

 

[MCAsan]

Well said.

 

[joshualee90]

Film

If you really want to get into photography and are willing to be committed to it i would buy a film SLR. Here are the reasons why.

1. While the learning curve is quite large you will learn all about photography in terms of the technical aspect. It forces you to learn about ISO(film selection), shutter speed, aperture.Yes there are auto film slrs but I would get a full manual one.

2. Because its film it makes you think of what your shooting before you do it. Digital is great and all but you don't really think you just fire the shots off.

3. Film is equivalent to full frame sensor size. The cheapest full frame digital is $2000(new) then you have to buy a lens. If you go film its much cheaper and you get great IQ.

4. You'll learn how to manual focus. A trick you should learn that will help you latter on.

Of course digital has its advantages being able to see the image right after you take it or even live view, autofocus and stuff like that. But you will learn a whole great deal more with film.

If you do end up getting a film camera get a Nikon with F mount and a 50mm f1.8 or a 35mm f2. You will get great shallow DOF with both and you can use those lenses on any Nikon Digital and other brand bodies(with an adaptor) so when you do upgrade to a digital you will have lenses.

All in all a film camera with a lens should only put you back like $200 and then the cost of film.

 

[talmy]

If you really want to get into photography and are willing to be committed to it i would buy a film SLR.

I almost totally disagree. The inability to get quick feedback is a major problem as is the diminishing availability of film and processing. (For decades I shot the now-deceased Kodachrome ).

1. While the learning curve is quite large you will learn all about photography in terms of the technical aspect. It forces you to learn about ISO(film selection), shutter speed, aperture.Yes there are auto film slrs but I would get a full manual one.

Use the DSLR in manual mode and it gives the same experience, plus you can change "film" at any time rather than only on a roll by roll basis. Also the tradeoffs changing film ISO are not quite the same as changing the digital ISO

2. Because its film it makes you think of what your shooting before you do it. Digital is great and all but you don't really think you just fire the shots off.

Only because film is expensive and digital shots are basically free. But you can waste money on film and give some thought to digital.

3. Film is equivalent to full frame sensor size. The cheapest full frame digital is $2000(new) then you have to buy a lens. If you go film its much cheaper and you get great IQ.

You are right here as to the bargain prices, although I feel digital IQ has surpassed film. It isn't necessary to have full frame sensors. There's nothing magical about 35mm. If you look back to when 35mm cameras were new, they were considered miniature cameras because they were much smaller than the common consumer cameras (folding or box cameras usually with 620 or 120 film), or, of course the large format cameras with their sheet film!

4. You'll learn how to manual focus. A trick you should learn that will help you latter on.

Unfortunately modern cameras, both the lenses and viewfinders, are designed for autofocus. Your suggestion of an old manual focus Nikon body and lenses makes sense. Autofocus is usually quite good these days, especially if you select a single focus point, and I feel just as good as the old split prism focusing spot. But you can always get the "Katz Eye" conversion.

If you do end up getting a film camera get a Nikon with F mount and a 50mm f1.8 or a 35mm f2. You will get great shallow DOF with both and you can use those lenses on any Nikon Digital and other brand bodies(with an adaptor) so when you do upgrade to a digital you will have lenses.

Also, old AI and AIS lenses are a good deal used and will work fine on all but the entry level consumer Nikon DSLR bodies. A bargain price although some aren't really a good match for digital sensors. It pays to study before buying.