Photography

H2Daddy

Shared on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 08:30

If any of you saw my post last night, you were probably asking yourself wtf?  I was digging through some pictures last night and my interest in photography was rekindled.  I have always wanted to learn how to take pictures.  Not the usual crap most of us take of our kids and dogs.  I want to learn how to take pictures that people look at and go, "That is an awesome picture."  This past summer for our 10th anniversary, my wife and I bought ourself a Nikon D60.  Not a high end slr but a decent entry level camera.  I quickly lost interest because I suck at taking pictures.  They just don't have that wow factor to them.  I know I need to learn how to do this.  The problem is I live in a podunk town and can't find anywhere to take a class.  I don't really know anybody that could show me a few things.  I have got to find a way to learn.  Are there any photographers out there?  Anybody really love taking pictures?  Anybody that can point me in the right direction?  Any good websites?

Comments

doorgunnerjgs's picture
Submitted by doorgunnerjgs on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 21:09
Take more pics, since you can look at the results immediately, look at them immediately after taking them. If the D90 can do it, look at the histogram (graphical representation of the exposure results). Don't just set it on full auto all the time, use aperture priority and shutter speed priorty and play with it until you see how it affects pictures. Faster shutter speeds increases "stopping the action" ability but causes the aperture to increase so depth of field (areas in focus) decreases. And vice versa. This stuff mainly affects the mechanics of picture taking. The artistic side is harder to learn. Shoot often, vary the angles, deliberately crop with the camera. In other words, if taking a picture of a train engine, don't just take it of the entire side (or front), zoom in on a portion, lie on the ground and shoot upwards, etc. Here again take a LOT of pics. Podunk towns have a LOT of interesting subjects, it is training your eye to see them that is challenging. Just some ideas, good luck and enjoy!
LtBlarg's picture
Submitted by LtBlarg on Mon, 07/09/2007 - 16:06
Very nice pictures.
MikeJames's picture
Submitted by MikeJames on Sat, 07/07/2007 - 23:35
Do it! Post a pic of her you estrogen filled guy! lol MJ
SirPoonga's picture
Submitted by SirPoonga on Sat, 07/07/2007 - 23:43
Cool pics. You might like this then. http://dps.phanfare.com/2006
Spidey's picture
Submitted by Spidey on Sat, 07/07/2007 - 23:48
Awesome pictures. Can I use some of the flower ones on our websites? I work for a community developer and I am always looking for good Horticulture shots.
SoupNazzi's picture
Submitted by SoupNazzi on Sat, 07/07/2007 - 23:52
Yes, as long as you aren't making a profit on them, feel free to use them. Contact me if you want the full-res shots.
Syphonfltrgirl's picture
Submitted by Syphonfltrgirl on Sun, 07/08/2007 - 01:39
Wow, Nice pic of the cat jumping.
UnwashedMass's picture
Submitted by UnwashedMass on Sun, 07/08/2007 - 02:58
Very nice- what camera are you using? I miss my Canon 20D.... :(
Raiz3R's picture
Submitted by Raiz3R on Sun, 07/08/2007 - 07:23
Nice Pics i like the first one. Almost looks like somthing you would see on a Greeting card of some sort.
NotStyro's picture
Submitted by NotStyro on Sun, 07/08/2007 - 07:33
Great shots, Soup. Keep up the good work.
Mulchinator's picture
Submitted by Mulchinator on Sun, 07/08/2007 - 08:43
Soup - AWESOME pics. The flower shots were extremely crisp - nice job! And yes, post pics from the wedding - or more importantly, the bachelor party!
SexKitten's picture
Submitted by SexKitten on Sun, 07/08/2007 - 13:39
Bomb ass pics........KUDOS
Lefty007's picture
Submitted by Lefty007 on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 17:53
The number one think I see stopping people from taking good pictures... I M A G I N A T I O N. Take doorgunners examples... and Shoot different.
ATC_1982's picture
Submitted by ATC_1982 on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 09:19
I will point you to TDRAG cause of her photo taking.
d0od's picture
Submitted by d0od on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 10:27
I got me a D90 a few months ago, I have been reading books and taking a shit load of pictures (about 3k in 4 months). The best book so far is Understanding Exposure, I like it because the author is more concerned with taking creative pictures than ones that are just exposed correctly. His book is the one that inspired me to take some funky pics (take a look at my blog). I will take a picture and change the settings just a bit, then repeat, just to see how it changes. I feel like I am still trying to find what I really like taking pictures of but like you I don't want to take just pics of the normal crap. Good luck and share some pics!
d0od's picture
Submitted by d0od on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 10:28
H2Daddy's picture
Submitted by H2Daddy on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 12:21
d0od, I will have to check that book out. That is my problem, I don't take enough pictures. I told myself this morning that I was going to start carrying it everywhere with me and start taking pictures of anything and everything just for the practice.
d0od's picture
Submitted by d0od on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 12:52
I carry mine with me everywhere just in case. I will go out during lunch and snap a few pics. Most of the time I don't end up using it but I figure you never know when you may have a few spare minutes to practice. You got me to get off my ass and throw up a blog about something new I just got for my camera. Check it out.

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