How Did You Learn Photography?

[Nick T]

Haven't really learned yet I bought a camera to take photo's of one thing and then sort of drifted into others. I've never been into the Arty shots that some folks take and the thought of shooting a wedding terrifies me but I'm happy snapping away in my own little world and if I get the odd good foto it's a bonus - and now I have digital it's a lot cheaper as you can delete the duds before anyone get to see them

[Words]

Having ignored cameras for years, I picked up a cheap (and I mean cheap) digital in 2005 to snap the foxes in the garden. I caught the bug and have upgraded several times now to my current DSLR set-up, learning as I go. Lots of it is trial and error, but then I take a lot of photos (40,000 a year approx) so some are going to be ok.

I've read plenty on websites, but no formal lessons (though I'm sure they could help). As Ollie said, once you figure out aperture, speed, ISO and exposure compensation you are sort of there. Plus I take lots of the same shot at different settings to check out differences.

Some lessons on composition and post-processing would help me a lot though.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Nick T

Haven't really learned yet I bought a camera to take photo's of one thing and then sort of drifted into others. I've never been into the Arty shots that some folks take and the thought of shooting a wedding terrifies me but I'm happy snapping away in my own little world and if I get the odd good foto it's a bonus - and now I have digital it's a lot cheaper as you can delete the duds before anyone get to see them

Just about sums me up as well!
You can't beat going out and trying all the camera options, there's nothing to lose. Click away as much and as often as you can, it's by far the best way to learn.

[barquar]

I took an interest after seeing a Humingbird hawk moth last year.Only had a throwaway camera.thought about it for 6month then bought a Canon EOS 400D with a 18-55mm lens took some good photos off Butterflies after croping. Had some put on bbc@ Stoke.co.uk. Got restless with the lens. Whent mad this week and bought a second hand Bigma 50- 500mm very heavy so got a sigma 28-300mm (second Hand)for everyday. Just need a Good Macro lens now.(Both seem in good order )But Havent a clue what I am doing just keep clicking away like you say you do get some good photos. But i follow all advice you chaps give out and try to get me head round it all.
Barquar

[RichBrew]

I cut my photographic teeth with the Olympus OM 1. I learned the reciprocal relationship between aperture and shutter, and how they affected the final image, and then how to take a meter reading using reflected or incident methods. Photography magazines kept me up to date with the technology, as well as tutorials, plus the odd specialist book as and when I felt the need.

I started shooting using monochrome exclusively, developing and printing the results myself. This darkroom grounding has stood me well with Photoshop techniques such as dodging and burning-in, and although I'm almost totally digital now, I still shoot and process infra-red film from time to time using my Nikon F5.

Of course, the Internet has a vast amount of knowledge and experience to draw on these days, but even after all these years, I still try to learn something every day.

RichBrew

[rlchew]

1. Practice .... practice .... practice

2. Learning from mistakes and being willing to invite and accept constructive criticism

3. Learning from others .... not least looking at some of the excellent photos here on WAB

4. .... and practice!

Richard

[demicav]

Trial and error with me, and learning all the time.

[Chris_Johnstone]

I've learnt everything mainly from books and advice and, of course, from learning from mistakes. I took a small course 5 years ago but never really learnt anything although it was mainly about film cameras.

Books are really great but nothing can replace experience.

Chris

[mh68]

Most of what I`ve learnt is through either trial and error (the joys of digital - no wasted film! )and reading up as much as possible on all the relevant subjects.One great source of learning has been the proper photography forums.It can be a real eye opener when you see what your particular camera is capable of in the hands of someone who knows what theyre doing.Such forums are excellent for getting info/advice on specific camera models too.
Got to agree though the best way to learn is get out there and do it - theres no substitute for experience

Mark H

[NickCantle]

I learnt what I know now from experimenting in the field. (Maybe quite literally ) I was inspired by 2 things, one of them is of course nature, the second was my Grandad. He gave me the push I needed to really get into it. He bought me my first digital camera for my 18th Birthday (last year) and I couldn't get enough of it. A few of you will recognise me from the fungi forum as I am a bit of an obsessive . I was captured by mushrooms and all of the various forms of fungi ever since I set eyes on it as a wee lad. From this love of both nature and photography, I thought it best to make a combination hobby. Here I am now, a year later with a Canon A1 SLR and a Canon EOS400D with a Sigma 105mm macro, studying for an Honours Degree in Photography at the University College Of Creative Arts. Isn't it funny how life twists and turns...Wouldn't change it for the world though...

Nick