Newbie photographer

[Technik]

G'day all

this is my first post. i'm in the process of buying my first DSLR, being a beginner photographer, i was wondering whether anyone could recommend a reputable place/school to learn how to take photos professionally in sydney? at the moment i got a P&S Canon Powershot, just started getting into photography.

i'm tossing either D50 or D70s with Nikkor AF 18-70mm, i'm sorta leaning towards D70s after reading the review at http://www.dpreview.com.

what does everyone think?

[Onyx]

Hi Technik, welcome to the forums.

This crowd will tell you not to place too much in formal education. You'll learn best by doing - going out there and practice and shoot with your new cam. There are many online sources from which you could gain knowledge, including this place (and the minimeets held almost every week at Birddog's).

I can think of a certain camera shop that offers introductory classes for any new cameras bought from their stores - that may or may not be helpful in your case.

D50/D70s - they are very similar siblings but if your budget could stretch, I do believe the D70s to be worth the extra if you have a desire to continue learning photography.

[ozczecho]

Hi Technik,

Also welcome to this great forum.

I was basically in your shoes about a year ago - trying to find course(s) that would teach me about photography, digital techniques, D70 itself etc.

In the end I spent $0 dollars on formal education, and just invested in an ebook on the d70 (http://www.bythom.com) and an adobe photoshop book, but most importantly going out and taking pictures, heaps of pictures using different setting, angles, compositions....reading this forum, asking questions, posting pictures up for feedback, entering competitions so to have set assignments. I found that in 12months I have learnt heaps and I know that I still have heaps to learn.

HTH

ozczecho (Mike)

[Killakoala]

As Onyx said, the D70s will give you some room to develop your skills as you become more familiar with SLR photography.

WHen you get the camera, just take photos with it. WHen you have done that, you can learn post-processing techniques and as has been said, there are many many online tutorial websites out there. Start at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/ which is a great resource.

And welcome to the forum.

[avkomp]

hi and welcome to the forum.
I am sure that you will learn plenty by actually going out and taking photos and by hanging out in forums such as this and other places where you can pose questions about issues you are having.

the minimeets organised here may turn out to be a source of learning ( they definitely will be a source of lust)

Steve

[blacknstormy]

Welcome Technik

I'm sure you'll enjoy the forum - I came into the forum with very little experience, and even less technical skill - both of which I still don't have , but I have learnt soooo much from the fantastic people in here, and continue to do so.

Post, listen, learn and above all, experiment !!!

Rel

[Raskill]

welcome aboard!

This website will teach you more about digital photography than any course. Any images you post will be critiqued by many different people, they'll offer you positive and contructive criticism if required and point you in the right direction to learn more.

I have learned more being a member of this website than I could have ever hoped for, and I'm sure most of, if not all, the members have also learned plenty. And, for some crazy unknown reason, it's free (and free of adds also).

So get the camera (maybe even try for a second hand d70 to reduce costs), get clicking and posting.

Look forward to seeing your pics!

[Nnnnsic]

Welcome.

As someone who comes from a formal photographic education background (I think there are maybe 2 or 3 of us on here in total...), you can't go past some of the ACP's (Australian Centre for Photography) courses in Paddington or a short (or even long) course at one of the other art schools around Sydney, I know National Art School have 'em and I think Sydney College of the Arts do too.

What you'll learn in those courses will moreso usually be about film photography, but the same lessons you learn are applicable to digital photography.

[wendellt]

Welcome.

As someone who comes from a formal photographic education background (I think there are maybe 2 or 3 of us on here in total...), you can't go past some of the ACP's (Australian Centre for Photography) courses in Paddington or a short (or even long) course at one of the other art schools around Sydney, I know National Art School have 'em and I think Sydney College of the Arts do too.

What you'll learn in those courses will moreso usually be about film photography, but the same lessons you learn are applicable to digital photography.

Yeah that's the best place
lots of creative people too which is very important, rather than just learning mere technical knowledge from some short course

welcome to the forum

[Technik]

thanks for the warm welcome guys

i've been browsing through this site for the last couple of weeks, definitely worth reading all these handy tips about digital photography.

anyway i probably need to get a decent DSLR camera first, if everything goes well i should be getting a D70s after the new year, hooray!

below is a pic that i took a couple of months ago on my overseas trip using my Canon Powershot P&S



Cheers

[Grev]

That is a good shot.

Welcome btw, I'm going to participate more on this great forum as well.

[mudder]

G'day Technik,
Welcome to the forum I think you'll enjoy the freedom and creativity the D70s will allow you and will provide terrific quality for larger prints down the track. Then before you know it, you've started down the track of developing the ol' lens lust, then you need a backpack to carry it all, and then...

Ask heaps of questions here, I've learnt heaps from the members of the forum who always provide constructive and friendly advice...

Awesome sky in that last pic, good to see the horizon down low to focus on that sky... Good stuff...

Cheers.

[Technik]

I was playing with my friend's Canon 350D last night, it felt a lot of lighter than the D70s. It is very user-friendly however doesn't offer as much grip than the Nikons.

Photography is a like a disease - it is addictive!