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Ok, so ive been into photography for 8 months now.. before that, the only time i came near a camera was for snapshots.. i never attempted taking fancy photos or anything ..

other then being a member on this forum, because this is probably the best source of photographic information possible with all the great members on this forum...

What is the best way to learn photography without spending $1000+ on a photography course?

I'm happy with the photos i take now.. but i still feel they are extremely plain and nothing super special.. i know its a pretty broad question to ask and the common answer will be "practise practise practise" and thats what i do nearly every day... im even planning on going for a shoot in the next hour or 2 into the tree farm behind my house so i can find some interesting night time creatures..

Unfortunately for me, like alot of others who are a member on this, photography is starting to become a passion for me.. and if i said that 8 months ago, i would shot myself in the foot because back then i was serious about fishing.. and now fishing is taking a back step to photography which i can do every day without breaking the bank.. and unlike in the past, instead of wanting to spend money on fishing gear.. im wanting to spend it on camera gear and photography magazines... so maybe im just going insane... maybe.. or maybe ive found something that i can do.. one day to make a small bit of profit

Cheers

Tim
p.s. Would like to thank all the members on Dslrusers for all the help and support they have given me since i joined.. ive been members on so many chat forums.. and this is truely the first one where you feel like home and it feels right..so thanks again!!

Tim, glad you are having such a great time with your photography

You're not insane Tim... It happens to the best of us...

Personally I think that this forum is an excellent resource that will help you improve your photography... Even if I don't feel compelled to comment on every one, I look at (almost) every photo that is posted here... (Almost) every one has taught me something about composition, lighting, creativity etc... and the comments posted against them have taught me even more...

This forum (along with the various links posted) has also taught me a lot of theory which I have absorbed over the 15 months that I've been reading here...

Entering and voting in the competitions here has taught me what people (and I) like and has without a doubt improved my photography...

There are many excellent resources on the web that have taught me even more about photography & post-processing, so I really don't see the need to spend 1000s of $$$s to take a course...

I am however considering enrolling in a local studio based course that cost 100s of $$$s to gain access to models and professional lighting - but those are my needs...

Your images are impressive already, but maybe you need to set yourself some exercises to get out of your comfort zones...
e.g.
- limit yourself to a particular lens for the day...
- push yourself to take a category of image that you're not used to...
- explore the capabilities of your flash
etc.
etc.

Most of all... Enjoy... and realise that your images bring pleasure to other people (even if we don't always say so)...

I'm starting to take in alot of theory as well, reading books at the library or online resources help, also just by looking at other people's photos, MOST magazines contains a healthy amount of good photos to look at so there is literally a limitless amount of resource out there that are... FREE.  PS also read at bookstores if you don't want to spend money.

Tim, I think Leek has offered some excellent advice. I only bought my D70s in July 2005 but the damn thing has taken over my life

Enter comps, read reviews, join in discussion, M&G shoots, amazing how much you can learn.

Tim - always keep in mind that what you see and photograph is unique to you the individual.

The camera is the gateway to show others what you see

Tim
Just read your post today (700 to catch up with after missing the forum for only 1 day). What you are doing now, taking photos, talking to people and meeting other photo nuts will help you develop your art. What i have seen in your posts so far shows me that you have a feel for a good shot. Just keep up what you are doing and let your passion develop.

Craig

Thanks for the comments folks...

Leek, i like your idea on me pushing my limits.. or focusing on just using one lens for a day ill work on doing that one day! soon probably lol

Grev, i find myself looking at photo magazines alot, but im not always reading them, i look at photographs and think how they did it and how it could of been done

Chris, i think my problem is, im a nature buff.. im more comfortable out in the scrub then iam in the town or city.. and i think alot of people prefer seeing portraits and buildings and architecture and suburban itty gritty images in a way.. the modern world.. and that just really isnt my style which probably doesnt help me get better at photography...

Craig, probably why i enjoy going to the M&G's.. you get to see other peoples styles and chat photography and hell, just meeting people is great..

Mark, you got your d70s a month before me.. just goes to show Nikons are addictive

Thanks again

Tim
p.s. Just scored myself 2 extra memory cards..2 transcend 2gig 80x CF's...looks like ill be able to take more photos

Zeeke wrote: and i think alot of people prefer seeing portraits and buildings and architecture and suburban itty gritty images in a way.. the modern world.. and that just really isnt my style which probably doesnt help me get better at photography...

Not true Tim! I love the wilderness shots that we get on this forum

Zeeke wrote: and that just really isnt my style which probably doesnt help me get better at photography...

You develop a style that suits you! Take pictures that you enjoy. Don't try an please others. And jsut keep doing what you are doing. Your photos have come leaps and bounds since you started posting here.

I'd say find photos that you find interesting, figure out how they did it, and try and do the same. It will come out with your own style anyways. Also figure out where you went wrong with your own photos, go back to favorite places and reshoot, you may see something that you missed, or try something new. Find someone to go on shoots with. You don't need many people, just one or two, I find it's a great way to bounce ideas around. Work with what's available. Your backyard, your neighbourhood, your kids, girlfriend (if she isn't game, dump her and get a new one for sure) whatever you fancy.

Finally, think about what you'd like to see in a photograph and then go out and take that picture. I'm convinced that this is what has made me good (or maybe I should say better). I see other's photos, and they're fine, but I think "I'd love to see a beam of light coming through that window, or a fellow with a bowler hat making mustard sandwiches in the background, or a couple having an argument in the foreground" etc.

When you're approaching a subject, think of the end result, even try picturing it framed and matted in your mind. What would make the picture worth rushing out and printing it at 16x24, and hanging it on the wall?

Lastly, buy a Sigma 10-20 mm. It's opened up a whole world of options that I never had before.

Don't force it, and don't worry about it either. You'll find that you're getting better and better, though you may not feel like you are.

Mal, thanks for the comments

Dooda.. some great information, thanks for posting.. and the 10-20.. its deffinantly on my lust list.. i was planning on getting one this month, im going away next month for a camping trip in an extremely remote area..and now i have 3 2gig memory cards, i was planning on spending my off time lurking around through the scrub with the camera finding some good photos because its a unique spot

Thanks again

Tim

try Darran Leal, you can take a mini shop course, larger course or go for the instructional CD's he has

Tim,

Just under 9 years ago, the only shots I took were cheap snapshots. Now I publish widely, run nature photographic courses and absolutely love what I do. There were a number times where I was so frustrated with this whole game and just wanted to give it all up in frustration. When I felt it wasn't going anywhere, I had a break for a few days/a week and started again.

I cannot tell you how many thousand hours I have spent in the field taking pics, reading books and mags, searching websites on nature photography, learning Photoshop etc, reviewing the best photographer's images etc, etc. Sometimes things don't work out - learn from your mistakes and try another approach. Keep at it and eventually it all falls into place.

One thing to remember: you will never, ever know all there is to know and will keep learning forever. What a ride it is. Enjoy!

Cheers

Michael

ps - Love your work recently. You definitely are improving out of sight.

Tim come over and borrow some books.

Looking at what other people do is one way to develop your style.

it gives you new ideas. PS: Yes you are going insane, welcome to photography

Lost.cheers for the link, but he seems pricey (or maybe im stingey) but useful to know, thanks

Michael, thanks for your words of advice, next time your running a photographic course i might have to book myself in

Cheers again

Tim

No worries, Tim.

I'll let you know

Cheers

Michael

Cheers Michael

Dug, books hey ... is this why youve been quiet... hiding books from me and you know its your fault im going insane..

Tim

Tim,

Regarding books, one of the best authors on nature photography is John Shaw. He has a whole series of titles and is highly regarded amongst nature photographers worldwide.

Cheers

Michael

dooda wrote:Lastly, buy a Sigma 10-20 mm. It's opened up a whole world of options that I never had before.

I'm so glad you said that - my order to Birddog for this lens is about 20 minutes old

Tim, I can't really add much to what's already been said - just get out there and burn those pixels. As for magazines, it's been said that after about 2 years you start reading the same stuff over again, and I can vouch for that, but they definitely can be a souce of inspiration and ideas. And with the freedom digital photography gives us in not having to worry about wasting shots, you can freely experiment with exposure, viewpoints, lighting etc to your heart's content, which can only be a good thing for your photographic development.

Frank

Cheers Frank... and i know what you mean.. 8 months and im already seeing repeats in photography magazines.. only thing different is the pictures... Michael's article is probably the first decent article ive read in a while

Tim

Tim, You are going insane..

To stop this do the following

Put all your gear into a post box and mail to me.. I will take good care of it and make sure everything is working..

Then in 6 months I will post it back to you.. You then will be cured..

Have a good Day.


MATT

Zeeke wrote:Cheers Michael

Dug, books hey ... is this why youve been quiet... hiding books from me and you know its your fault im going insane..

Tim

Tim, my friend, I have caused many people to go insane in my life, you are just one more road kill on my drive through the accepted normalcy of polite society.

And if I don't get you the keywording certainly will finish the job !

 PS advice to all photographers going insane :

Read "The Daybooks of Edward Weston" it is an amazing insight into the mind and life of one of the greatest photographers ever. the problems he faced are not significantly different from those we have today.


Simple decisions like Food or Film? I have read it several times and it is pretty heavy going but I still find new inspirations every time.

I do not say I like the man entirely, some of his actions are pretty shameful but his art and dedication are amazing.

Dug wrote:PS advice to all photographers going insane :

Read "The Daybooks of Edward Weston" it is an amazing insight into the mind and life of one of the greatest photographers ever. the problems he faced are not significantly different from those we have today.


Simple decisions like Food or Film? I have read it several times and it is pretty heavy going but I still find new inspirations every time.

I do not say I like the man entirely, some of his actions are pretty shameful but his art and dedication are amazing.

I was fascinated by that book as well, especially the last pages, they were... thought provoking...