I just bought my first DSLR. Can you recommend some resources to help get started?

marquis_of_chaos · 2 years

Some basic sites to look at:

A look at the experts

[deleted] · 2 years

http://stopshootingauto.com/ was recommended when I posted here asking for help on improving my technique.

mobileF · 2 years

I'm not sure why no one uses http://www.digital-photography-school.com but i love it. I get an email every Thursday with tips/assignments and other stuff.

edit: http backslash, yo

Doctor_Watson · 2 years

Sure. Sell it then buy my D80 for half the price. :)

But seriously, "Understanding Exposure" and a Magic Lantern Guide will do you wonders.

lilzaphod · 2 years

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

sc_yang · 2 years

fmreviews.com for lens reviews (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/)

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/ for buttloads of information.. if you learn everything on this site, you will be like unto a god

potn forums are great (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/) but i'm a canon user so take it fwiw

dpreview.com for news on the industry

and flickr explore to get inspired

kickstand · 2 years

Photography is a very expensive book but maybe you can get it in a library. It's a standard photo class textbook:

http://www.amazon.com/Photography-10th-Barbara-London/dp/0205711499/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268423249&sr=8-4

The Photo Idea Index has dozens of self-assignments which will give you experience and have fun.

http://www.amazon.com/Photo-Idea-Index-Jim-Krause/dp/158180766X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268423296&sr=8-1

Jeremy7508 · 2 years

This is hands down the best book I've read that's helped my photography skills. Its not a "camera" book, it's more of a "theory" book. It shows you the different parts of pictures that make photographs interesting.

Michael Freeman - "The Photographer's Eye"

http://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Eye-Composition-Design-Digital/dp/0240809343/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268435456&sr=8-3

[deleted] · 2 years

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is a great place to start. The manual should be your first stop, though.

iDrifter · 2 years

The manual. No really. Then go take pictures.

YahoKa · 2 years

Don't forget to read your manual. Know how to change each setting and what every option means.

Obvious, but often not done.

kanakana · 2 years

Ben's Newbie Guide to Digital SLR Photography

DarkColdFusion · 2 years

That guide your camera came with? Learn it. I know there are tons of sites about taking photos, but when you get a new tool learn everything it can do so that way you understand what your limits are, and can look for specifics on how to utilize specific aspects of your camera. I know it's boring but all those buttons and menu's do stuff :P

caractacuspotts · 2 years

Go out and shoot. Learn your camera. Read some basic articles about shutter / aperture / iso. Shoot some more. Shoot some more. Shoot some more.

thebrian · 2 years

If you're a hands-on type, set it to manual mode and experiment. Don't be afraid to experiment. You'll learn a lot by fidgeting with the aperture and shutter speed.

zmcintyre · 2 years

Go out side and use it, look at lot's of photography

midava · 2 years

Check out Thom Hogan

He writes comprehensive guides to most Nikon cameras including the Complete Guide to the D300

areus · 2 years

Read this: http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268421030&sr=1-1 This book will keep you from setting your camera in auto-mode :)

Also, ignore 90% of what ken rockwell writes.

drivingmeupthewall · 2 years

http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm - This guys got some great info.

duxup · 2 years

IMO the best bet is to start shooting and then start wondering what you did wrong ;) or could have done better, or what went right.

Photo.net has a number of articles on the technical aspects and types of photography, although some of the folks on the forums are pretty snotty. Also on photo.net they have a critique system that I find just going thru provides some nice ideas and new points of view to consider.

luminous-landscape.com has some interesting articles on equipment and technique.

Bleach-Free · 2 years

[deleted]

xsidekick409 · 2 years

Words and textbooks will teach you nothing useful about photography. Learn through experience, since you have a DSLR you don't need to worry about the cost of film, so go shoot. Know the basics of ISO, shutterspeed, and aperture and you're ready to go. Look up some popular photography class assignments and complete them on your own, or design your own projects. Best theme to pick for a starting photographer is light, since its easy to take pictures of yet extremely difficult to master.

Your_Left_Hand · 2 years

You could always go browse your local library as well. They tend to have quite an assortment of photography books at them.

uberdisco · 2 years

photography.alltop.com

you'll need to login or register to do that

create a new account

login