Alternative & inexpensive ways to learn photography?

[mhc-art]

Hi all,

I have only recently bought a Canon 400D as a first DSLR and would like to know how to use it.

I am hoping to do a couple of day workshops if I can find them in my local area (Bristol & South-west), I know Brian Phipps does one which I've enquired about.

Can anyone recommend alternative ways of learning, any very good books with good tutorials perhaps, a DVD course or an online course? If you have any good experience of any of these then I'd be interested to know.

I'm sure the best way to learn is through the workshops being assisted by an experienced photographer but due to the expense of these courses and not having much free time I can't do too many of them.

Any advice appreciated, thank you!

Martin

[GerryNick2]

Hi Martin

My local technical college run several courses in the evening which are very good and not too costly, worth exploring in your area.

As for DVD's I had a copy of Better Photography by Philip Dunn which was very good.

There is a wealth of publications available on digital photography which you can pick up quite cheaply if you shop around. I have quite a library now, whilst there is a lot of repetition you always pick up one or two new tips.

Gerry

p.s. it would also be worthwhile joining your local camera club, they often arrange workshops, talks, events etc.

[zan]

I was lucky enough to start off my photography again with a pro wildlife photographer who let me use his kit. But after I got my own I pretty much taught myself the basics (aperture, iso etc etc).

Brian Peterson's book, Understanding Exposure sounds like a horribly dry read, but it's actually excellent with loads of pictures adn examples on how to take various shots and explains everything very clearly and simply. I think it's about £15, so it's an absolute bargain! Just buy it

Otherwise the best advice I could give is just to get out as much as possible and practise! With digital you can afford to make mistakes, so try whatever you feel like and see what happens. If it doesn't work and you don't know why, you can always ask for help on here again.

Zan

[Hobjob]

Practice, practice, practice and then more practice.

People are more than helpful with critique on this forum,
and not critical as happens some places.

Post a few photos and questions, the experts will
reply

[LoveT]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Practice, practice, practice and then more practice.

People are more than helpful with critique on this forum,
and not critical as happens some places.

Post a few photos and questions, the experts will
reply

Absolutely right - couldn't have put it better myself !

Thea

[Kayleigh]

Novice photography book

There's some good tips on here.

[glsammy]

You can't beat going out and taking loads of shots. It's how I learnt, and how I'm still learning.
I usually vary how I take a shot, adjust the aperture for instance, as well as exposure compensation, always trying different things to try and improve my knowledge of what works and what doesn't.
You can't damage your camera by using it, and digital processing is free, so the best advice I can give is go out and use the camera as much as you can.

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by glsammy

You can't beat going out and taking loads of shots.

Photography is an ongoing thing, and you will continue to learn as long as you use a camera. As Graham asserts, the best way to learn is to get some experience with the job in hand. Of course, you do need to take on board certain aspects of how optics and mechanics work, and their limitations, but this can be achieved in tandem with the practical side. Finally, don't be afraid to ask questions. There are people here (and on other forums) only too willing to share what, in some cases, is the accumulated knowledge of a lifelong passion.

RichBrew

[ron1863]

Get out and take photographs you can only improve and you will learn a lot about your camera. Take shots with different settings - see what works and what doesn't.

If you want some information then use the internet - there are lots of free information sites for photographers.

[mhc-art]

thanks for all the advice!..

The message coming through is that I just need to get out there and snap away, trial and error I guess..

I have been taking lots of pics with the new camera, all sorts, portrait and some wildlfie but it's just frustrating when you don't know why it is doing what it is doing, I think I'll buy a couple of the publications mentioned and hopefully it all becomes a bit clearer..

Cheers all!