New to Photography ?

It never ceases to amaze me that someone considering or just purchased their first DSLR think they are instant experts, and can go commercial without any knowledge.
I was just reading on another site that someone is planning to do just this yet hasn't even purchased a camera.

What they don't seem to realise is that the pictures they see have been taken with years of experience by the photographer, and actually know what photography is all about.

Yes some my learn very quickly, but in my opinion experience and practise are first and foremost before anything else.

Bazza

I see lots of threads like this Bazza - probably on the same site and I always feel uncomfortable reading them.

I agree 100% with what you say but being naive isn't a crime. What really bugs me are the people who ridicule and bully rather than offer genuine advice about how the OP should perhaps progress first.

I think of lot of use are prone to running before we can walk - but we soon learn what's what and re-evaluate.

I agree with Phil, that being nasty doesn't help anyone. On here we try to nudge people towards our Photography Basics guides - they are a step in the right direction for any beginner.

I must also, add tho, that there are some beginners who don't think they're work is all that but the rest of us see something special in it - Remember when Little Me first joined and said she was a beginner? She has an eye for a great shot - and that goes a long way.

Well said Azz!

xx

I haven't been on this forum for very long yet I've seen people grow photographically by leaps and bounds. Little me, Jols, & Moonstone come to mind first. In my personal life friends & acquaintances will see a shot I take and voice a wish to be able to do that. I quickly tell them to grab a camera and I'll teach them in 10 minutes hot to set up the shot and repeat the results. A willingness to learn and listen to more experienced photographers is essential to advancement. When I come across a "Kodak moment" I know what the shot will look like before I squeeze of the shutter. That's experience, a practiced eye.

When I saw my favorite River House I was riding a motorcycle behind a friend and spotted that scene for a split second as we rounded the curve. I didn't stop that day but returned the next day, alone, at sunrise to capture that shot for the very first time. I file things like that in my "bucket list" of future photos like the fireplace at Camp 18 or the waterfalls of the Japanese Garden.

So many times I've heard young photographers say that they live in an area with nothing to photograph, that I am blessed with such natural beauty. I agree that I'm blessed but disagree that there's nothing to photograph. In the Photowalk I went on in downtown Portland this year I learned you can find beauty anywhere. You just have to be open to it.

I come from a background in fine art. I was a fine arts major in college before I ever picked up a camera. I used to draw everything. That discipline helped develop that "eye" for composition, color, texture and interest. It doesn't happen overnight and equipment won't make you a talented photographer overnight. It's hard work. Ask my friend, Warren, when he joined me for a sunrise shot at the River House in the dead of Winter.

I try to encourage everyone to stick with photography because our world is beautiful and ever changing. There is always a story connected to ever shot. Sorry for being so long winded.

Thank you Bob for including me along side moonie and LM.

I agree with everything that has been said and especially there are photo opportunities everywhere.

When all else fails there is always the toy box, the kitchen cupboards and the great outdoors. [Bob you are very lucky, although landscapes are not for me the scenery you produce so close to your home is sometimes breathtaking]

I am also of the thought that some people can take technically perfect pics but have no imagination and others can not take so technically perfect shots but their imagination is always spot on.

I have not posted any pics of late for two reasons one the new pup has taken over my life and I'm loving it........and hardly anybody ever comments anyway which I find sad.

The Internet photos forums are extreme some have loads of members and you get lost or others have so few members its a shame.

I prefer the smaller ones but then the feedback is always slow and sometimes you wait days for a reply or not get one at all, a bit disheartening especially for a new member.


Went of on a tangent there and to reply to the first post, you can't think about being paid for photos until you practise practise practise, but I know of someone who bought his first dsrl in August and is diplaying some photos in a coffee shop locally and has sold about 20 so far.

Weddings and portraits you have to deliver spot on first time.

But landscapes and still life is different some will like it and buy some will not you have nothing to lose there...in my opinion.

Bob
Quote "I come from a background in fine art. I was a fine arts major in college before I ever picked up a camera. I used to draw everything. " unquote
The only thing I was good at was drawing a pint of beer with a pull handle on the bar.

I did watch an artist some time ago and when asked he said he was drawing a horse and cart. I said I can see the horse but where is the cart? He replied "The horse has to draw that"

Bazza

Re Jols comments about lack of comments I understand this. Comments and support in competitions etc. can be encouraging, as can words of advice and it is quite disheartening to see 38 views and no comments or dismissive one liners. Whilst some work here is to a very high standard, most people are still learning and benefit from constructive critique and are encouraged and educated hearing what other people have to say (even if we don't always admit it! ). This is a good little forum, but I do think that some photographers here have to consider posting in other forums as well that suit their style and subject matter if they want robust critique and assessment of their work. Otherwise you may not be showing to the right audience, those that appreciate it or don't feel qualified to comment on it.

On the point originally made by Bazza then it is true that some people have set themselves up commercially with little knowledge. Pretty much anyone can advertise as a decorator, a gardener or a photographer. Quite simply there are people about who just think 'I can do that'. Some I am sure may not have any appreciation of what is truly involved, think it is a doddle and are simply ignorant of it any technicalities and shortcomings in their own abilities. 'I've got a camera last Christmas, been thinking about doing weddings' was a genuine comment made to me in the summer. Sure we have all been there when all your best photos are skimmed through in seconds and the relatives completely miss all the techicalities and focus on the cute snapshot of the new baby or a puppy on phone cam. Many people don't understand photography and even when they look at the picture only focus on the small section that represents their dog, child or the hotel they stayed in last year. They are interested in the emotion of the picture, not the photography and are happy to judge it or buy it based on that. Whatever we think, there is always a market for a £50 set of prints rather than a £500 session.

I have a small, quiet dream of one day maybe being a baby and child photographer.
I have friends, relatives and most of all a hubby hassling me to go into business but I think it is totally wrong to start charging until you can guarentee you can deliver.
I think I take have taken some shots in the last year that might have been good to charge for, but until I know that I have the technical knowledge to be able to turn out pictures like that in any shoot, what ever the conditions, whatever the light, then I refuse to charge.

oh and thanks for the kind comments!
*blush*