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Photography

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By *kbrad OP   Man
over a year ago

thurrock

Hey guys I've always wanted to be good at photography, I feel like in ok at landscapes but want to be good at people too, do any of you have any tips on how to learn? I mainly use my phone as in saving for a decent camera

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Hey guys I've always wanted to be good at photography, I feel like in ok at landscapes but want to be good at people too, do any of you have any tips on how to learn? I mainly use my phone as in saving for a decent camera "

Get a SLR with a prime 50mm 1.8 lens. It’s very hard to take a bad portrait with that kit.

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By *kbrad OP   Man
over a year ago

thurrock

Much appreciated in looking at the Sony a6000 which I think comes with a 50mm. But need to find someway of practicing

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By *orkspoonMan
over a year ago

nearby

I would go into your nearest camera shop, and have a chat with the guys in there. They're usually very knowledgeable and also know of local courses etc

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By *od ThrusterMan
over a year ago

Newport Pagnell

Google "100 Strangers" and maybe give that a go. I'm sure there will be somewhere local that would suit for you.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Practise.

Forget the phone. Either buy a 35mm film camera, dirt cheap on Ebay or a digital, second hand, also cheapish on fleabay.

Then go and take proper pics.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

YouTube is awash with tutorials.

Try Fro Knows Photo. Jared does some very good basic tutorials and also gives good advice camera by camera too.

A

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By *kbrad OP   Man
over a year ago

thurrock

Thank for all the tips they've been great so far does anyone have any recommendations on brands or models for cameras?

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By *od ThrusterMan
over a year ago

Newport Pagnell

You will find they are all much of a muchness. Canon and Nikon are the "top two" and you will find users of those will recommend their brand. I'm a Canon man. Nikon will do the same job, I'm just more familiar with Canon.

Go into a store and try them. Nothing beats the feel to make sure it's not too big or too small for your hands, or too heavy, etc.

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By *od ThrusterMan
over a year ago

Newport Pagnell

I should add it's the lenses that are probably more important that the actual camera. Once you choose one system you are effectively locked into that system as the lenses will not be interchangeable across brands.

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By *hezGeekCouple
over a year ago

Bristol


"I should add it's the lenses that are probably more important that the actual camera. Once you choose one system you are effectively locked into that system as the lenses will not be interchangeable across brands."

Seconding what Rod says above. If you can, take time to get your hands on the different brands to see what suits you best. I’m very much a Nikon man, purely because I find them easier to manipulate than Canon, but it’s horses for courses. A good 50mm prime in 1.8 is a must-have for most good portraiture, and you can pick a reasonable one up for around £100 second-hand. They are also good lenses for general photography, as they rely on your positioning rather than a zoom function. You don’t want to drop too much money whilst learning the ropes, so if you can get hold of one to try out I’d recommend that; there will be plenty of time to buy £500+ lenses when you know what you’re doing and what you want to shoot. To start off with, find a decent SLR with an 18-55mm kit lens and see how it goes - you’ll be able to learn the basics of camera handling, aperture and shutter speed control and composition with that before shelling out for other lenses.

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By *kbrad OP   Man
over a year ago

thurrock

My dad has a Fujifilm I was going to practice with, bit the ones in looking at buying for myself are Sony, Canon or Nikon. Does anyone have any cheapish model recommendedstions? I currently take everything on my Note 8 but it feels lazy and want something to learn on

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By *hezGeekCouple
over a year ago

Bristol

[Removed by poster at 05/02/19 11:45:15]

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By *hezGeekCouple
over a year ago

Bristol

Th Fujifilm will be a good start is it a 35mm or a digital? There are loads of good photography tutorials online; alternatively if you have anybfriends who are amateur photographers or a local camera club they will probably be more than happy to teach you the basics.

As others have said, it’s very difficult to learn photography on a tablet or phone as they have very few settings that you can control, plus the lenses don’t have the range or capability of an SLR. You can use them to learn the basics of composition, but to move any further down the road thannthat you really need to be looking at DSLRs or 35mm.

Personally, given my Nikon preference I’d recommend the D3500. It’s a decent, compact DSLR that has more than enough functionality to get you started without breaking the bank. You can get one with an 18-55mm kit lens for about £400, cheaper second-hand.

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By *he SurveyorMan
over a year ago

Bury

Look on google or Facebook for your local photography clubs. You will be surprised how many there are.

Go along to a few, chat and discuss your interests.

You will probably get a loan of a few cameras to try and no doubt a second hand bargain.

Have fun.

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By *kbrad OP   Man
over a year ago

thurrock

Tried to find local clubs but couldn't find any in my area, but there's a London course I may attend. Trying to find a decent photography store as we only have a Currys and in there they remove the batteries so you can't even test them! Stupid level of service in there

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

Bookmarking

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By *emini ManMan
over a year ago

There and to the left a bit

I just Googled "photography club near" your location and there were several came up in nearby towns.

Did the same with "photography shop near" and several came up - some even in the town you're listed as being from

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By *kbrad OP   Man
over a year ago

thurrock

The only ones I have in my vicinity aren't photography stores their studios. At least that's what I see when I search

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

So, the camera in your phone has given you an interest in photography and you want to take the next step, yes? Well done, it’s an absorbing hobby. As a professional photographer, let me give a few nuggets of advice to help you on your way.

For now, get yourself a basic digital camera with an interchangeable lens. Going for an older, more dated model is a good lower cost “in”. Also, if want new, look at end of line, clearance models.

Brand is unimportant. Everyone has their own brand, yours may differ. It’s allowed. We all have different physical features and sizes. How the camera feels in your hand, how your fingers fall on the controls, and even how comfortable it is at eye-level will all be personal to you. Try before you buy!

Specifications are unimportant as you want the basics, and they should all have that. You want a model that has a fully manual mode. Autofocus is fine, but learn how to focus.

Personally, I’d only choose a model with an eye-level viewfinder, and disregard those with just the rear screen to compose your photos.

Others have already mentioned using a 50mm standard prime lens. A single focal length prime lens is a great starting point. Decent advice, although the focal length will differ depending on format...

Which is also unimportant! Micro four thirds, APS-C, “full frame” all have their legions of supporters and haters. Any format will do.

Support your local photographic retailer. They, in turn will support you!

Join a club!

Get out and take pictures! That’s how you learn! You don’t need a library of books or attend an endless amount of courses. There are plenty of free resources on line.

And remember... photography is about pictures, not equipment!

If you need more info PM me...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I use a Canon SLR but bought a Sony WX500 which is a lot smaller than a standard SLR. Great little camara (slips in trouser pockets) and easy to use with self timer for those naughtier images and 30x optical zoom. Same functionality of the bigger SLR's. Worth looking at even as a beginner.

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