Photography for beginners: my surgery

Aug

2009

Photography for beginners: my surgery

I’m working on a post about photography. When I say ‘working on’ what I mean is I know I’m going to write one and I have a couple of half baked ideas as to what might go in it…but ‘working on’ sounds much worthier.

HEALTH WARNING: I am not holding myself out as a professional photographer in any way, shape or size. I am not qualified in any way, I don’t make any kind of living from photography and I’m a relative new comer to photography…all of which, I will concede, make me especially ill-qualified to offer photography related advice! The only reason I’m cooking up a photography related post is because various people at Blog Camp asked how I learnt photography, what books, websites, blogs I read etc. I was planning on winging the Blog Camp girls a quick email but then I thought perhaps it could be of interest to others, perhaps?

But I have no idea really. So while I’m ‘working on’ the post I thought I’d open it up to you all…if you have a photography related question, no matter how ‘silly’ then ask away by popping it in a comment. I will try my very best to answer the questions and, if I can’t, I will find out and will possibly enlist a guest co-blogger to help depending on how difficult it gets! Ask anything, don’t be shy. I’m not grand and I’d never picked up a DSLR (that’s a Digital Single Lens Reflex…no, I didn’t know what it meant for a long time either…) until last October so, whatever your question and no matter how daft you think it is, I’ve asked it too at some point and lived to tell the tale. Don’t be shy!

My kit list, not very important at all but if you want to get technical about kit then it might come in useful:

Camera Body

Nikon D70

Lenses

Nikon 18-55mm

Nikon 18-200mm VR

Nikon 70-300mm

Nikon 50mm 1.4 AF-S

Tokina 11-16mm

Lensbaby ‘Composer’ and wide angle insert

Also knocking around is a Nikon speedlight (flash – which I never use), a tripod and a remote…a Holga and a Polaroid that I have no film for. So, with no further ado, I declare the surgery open. Questions please!

If you liked that, you might like this ...

Filed under: Photography

View Comments

Share and Enjoy:

DeepBlu

*portraits*
DeepBlu

Have you ever heard of the rule of thirds? Does it apply everywhere or just in potraits?
Ali

ignore Bambi she's forgotten her medication again! My question is this really the same as B (I heart B).... what do you use the manual settings on the top for? Do they make a huge difference over the auto's??? And I know you like Lighthouse, where'd you get it?????
rxBambi

I have to use Hubs' Cannon. Will you still like me? Also, I need to know how you decide when to do a super close up and when to get the whole shot. I need your eye. I might come at you with a spoon (not an axe). Is that scary? Sorry. I need wine. Or a nap. Or a snack. Maybe just wine.

And damn it all to hell why wont my gravatar work? It's G rated. I hate this thing. Why are you torturing me???
julochka

on the D300, i often have trouble with overexposure and have a helluva time getting it back to "normal," since i don't know what it is that i've done to make it wash everything out so badly...what am i doing wrong? ISO i have down and it's not that. it's something to do with that little square with the +/- symbol on it (i'm sure that's the technical term for it - ha!) and the little dial-y things. problem is i never know which direction to go. (if you need to see what i'm talking about, let's video chat.)
B

I'm really looking forward to this! You'll be a great teacher and I hope you make this a regular feature.
My question: I want to start playing with the different manual settings in my camera (A, M, S, P) but I'm not sure when to use which.
Thanks!
Funky Slug

Brave thing to do Spud... lol... but I'm sure you'll have no problems answering the questions... I'll have a think to see if I can throw a few tricky ones in to test you... Only kidding... :)
Helen

I would LOVE to read any tips you care to impart, I'm utterly in awe of your skills. But something I'd really love to know is how you manage to turn out such beautiful shots with such frequency with not one but two small boys to contend with. How on earth do you juggle all that kit while wrangling them?

I'm also in awe of your time-management if ever you fancy passing on any advice about that...
VEG

Umm, I am still in photography kindergarten (perhaps even pre-school) I am lucky if I can get the shot straight, in frame, and in focus. And all I have is a Canon point and shoot powershot thing. Am I beyond hope?
TheFragrantMuse

How did you get the effect on this photo: "Blanca and Polly re-entering the Real World, post Blog Camp" on flickr? Brilliant idea this posting camera ideas! I love my Nikon D60 but have had so little practice with settings and lenses. The manual is so boring...learning from you will be a blast!
Bee

I'm sure that everyone who has visited here has drooled over your photos . . . how GENEROUS of you to offer some tips.

Here's a basic question (from someone who might be nagging her husband for a Nikon for Christmas): Which are the most useful lenses, and what are they all good for?
Redbedhead

Well, a few things I have pondered or struggled with over the last few months are:

How to get sun flare?
How to get bokeh?
What processing package does everyone use? Are some easier to use than others?
Tips on using the manual setting on your DSLR?
General tips on getting good shots - what can work well?
Tips on taking shots of children?

Child trying to get on pc now so will have to go......
Eliane

I was going to ask you you immediately which lens you use for those GORGEOUS close-ups but but further down your post I found the answer. I am sure---I know---I am aware that you have the perfect eye for photography. The idea behind, the image in your head, your creativity to ban your imagination on a screen or on a piece of photographic paper is even more important than the perfect camera or lens. You are gifted. Really! I had a few trimesters of photography at college and I know what I am talking about. And it's a shame that I didn't appreciate the subject at that time because the professor was horrible. So thank you in giving better lessons than him!
Oh yes, a question: what's that on your picture? Looks great again!
Kristine

wonderful idea. I for one am very apreciative!! Two things in particular I'd love to have tips on....first, I've been playing with shutter speeds recently to get a 'smooth' effect (like wrt running water, you know what I mean), but I find that often I end up with a photo thats far too bright....is that just the price I have to pay?? Second, what advice to you have regarding photography at night without using flash?
otin

All I know is that I press a little button and an image appears! LOL!
kristina

which is your favorite lense, and why? if you were to buy a new camera today, which would you get? do you do much processing of your photos in your computer?
I think the fact that you're relatively new to DSLR's makes you better at explaining to others - you remember learning it and will not take for granted that people know things.
(but I still struggle with the fact that you've used the DSLR for such a short time and take such AMAZING photos!! you are so gifted!)
spudballoo

Miss Buckle...hmmm. I will have to carefully review that question and come <del datetime="2009-08-21T19:50:38+00:00">at you with an axe</del> back to you...next? xx
MissBuckle

Will you kill me when I come to Blog Camp 2.0 with my Canon 350D and Sigma 18-200mm?

Chez Spud