 The first question I faced when I was bitten by the shutterbug was how to start. Since childhood, I have enjoyed viewing nature pictures. I used to go online and search for breathtaking landscape pictures and religiously change my desktop wallpaper daily. My local library visits were focused on National Geographic Society books, magazines and videos. With my increasing interest in photography, lots of questions started cluttering my brain. Can I take pictures like those in magazines and postcards? Should I take a class? Should I go with Canon or Nikon? Which lens should I get? Most of all, where do I start with my new hobby? These are the questions I faced a few years ago when I started taking photography seriously. Unfortunately, I did not know anyone who could guide me. So it was up to me to research, experiment and implement. After 4 years, I consider myself a serious amateur. In this article I would like to share my experiences which might be helpful to beginners looking for some guidance.
Gear up
Do you need the latest and greatest camera and lens to make good pictures? My answer is "NO". Many beginners think the latest DSLR and expensive lenses are required to get great images. After 4 years of shooting, I can confidently say "NO" to this question. Keep in mind the camera does not take pictures. Photographers take pictures. Clyde Butcher does not use Canon EOS-1DS Mark II and Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L in producing those breathtaking Florida landscape images. If you do not know how to compose and properly expose a shot, the greatest lens and latest camera is not going to be any help. I suggest starting with whatever you have. If you do not have a camera, get a decent point and shoot camera that includes manual settings. Some of these point and shoot cameras allow you to add extensions for telephoto, wide angle and macro at minimum cost. Do a little research on the Internet and find one that is suitable for you.
Get to know the basics
If ability to effort expensive equipment is the only requirement for photography, every rich person on face of mother earth can be a great photographer. It takes more than a camera and lens to produce great images. Understand the basic rules of photography. I am a strong believer in science and I believe that there is sound technology behind every photography rule. There are many books and online resources that explain the basic rules of photography. Start with composition and exposure. Learn the basic rules and try to follow them. Study your pictures and see what you did wrong conceptually. Find out what can be done to make improvements. Play with different f stops and shutter speeds. Experiment with depth of field. When studying a picture pay attention to your settings. If your settings are wrong, calculate the right settings and make a note for the next attempt. Keep in mind that the study of bad pictures is the initial step in producing great pictures.
Get into the zone
Visit your local camera clubs. Do not join the first camera club you find or one closer to your house. Take some time and find out which one is most suitable to you. For example, the club I started with concentrates more on streets and fashion. My bird pictures were never scored high in that club. If you have a choice, pick a camera club similar to your interests. Every camera club will have monthly evaluations. Find out the dates and attend them. Based on the entries, you will be able to estimate how active the club and their programs are. Talk to club members and get information regarding club activities, shoots etc. After a couple of visits and some serious thinking you should be able to select a club. Join that club and start submitting your entries for monthly evaluations.
Get online
Online forums are very useful resources. You will get a lot of guidance at these forums. Subscribe to online forums and start participating. Just reading the messages helps you in many ways. Do not hesitate to post your questions or ask for critiques. Most of the people on these forums are very helpful and knowledgeable. These forums can be very helpful especially in equipment selection. You can get first hand information from experienced individuals regarding photo equipment. Another neat thing about the forums is hidden resources. You can find links to tutorials, techniques and reviews.
Get ready to take some constructive criticism
I happened to see a very interesting photography quote a few weeks ago. "Photography is all about personal perception. If you don't like my picture it does not mean it is wrong". This thought might be valid if you just want to be an average snap shooter and limit sharing your work to other snap shooters. The logic here is simple. If you are a photographer, viewers are the judges of your work. The moment you share your picture with fellow photographers without saying it aloud you are asking for their opinion on your picture. Consider the constructive criticism and try to improve your images. The question here is how do you know if critics are constructive critics or inexperienced comments. If you understand the rules and after applying critics to your picture if it improves your picture it is a constructive critic. Do not feel offended by bad critics. Consider it as a part of growing as a photographer.
Most of all, enjoy taking pictures!
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