Any tips or advice for a novice?

I decided to buy a Panasonic Lumix FZ38 as I had always promised myself that I would get myself a half decent camera and take up a new hobby.

So what is everyone favourite "subjects" or styles and whats the best advice you can give?

When we going for a pint?

Number23 said:

When we going for a pint?

When do you want to go?

Do you still have my mobile number?

I don't mate. Send me a note and we'll arrange something.

muirdo said:

Any tips or advice for a novice?

I decided to buy a Panasonic Lumix FZ38 as I had always promised myself that I would get myself a half decent camera and take up a new hobby.

So what is everyone favourite "subjects" or styles and whats the best advice you can give?

Ask ZombieKitten!

With Digital just click like crazy, play with settings and have fun.

I don't have a favorite subject - my kids I suppose.

But I love taking photos at sundown, long shadows and great light.

If you want to be a typical pretentious newbie, you should take portrait pictures of serious-looking people staring into the camera, homeless people, old/ethnic/both people looking contemplative or bridges/architecture in black and white. That's what I always come across at film schools' graduation exhibitions.

Personally I'm moving more and more towards pictures of people that are actively doing things and are unaware of the camera. I especially like if I'm able to capture a scene that tells a whole story, and it's even better if I manage to line up the shot so that it's a harmonious composition with lots of depth (people and things at various distances from the camera) and nobody is blinking or turning away in an awkward way. You know those old religious paintings where multiple people are busy with various things (looking up at the sky, handing an apple to another, leaning on a crutch, embracing, fighting etc)? That's the kind of thing I often like in photos. Look up Alex Webb for some great examples.

Generally speaking though, the best thing to do is to take pictures of things that you have privately noticed yourself but that others might not have thought much about. Photography is all about showing the world through your eyes.

Good luck!

I take landscape pics when I've got my camera on me but the photographer in me (or maybe just my entire brain) is kinda switched off. When I'm really into my photography and I'm carrying my camera with conviction I take candid people shots. Those are my favourites. It's nothing original for a happy-snapper living out here, but that usually means pics of noodle soup vendors, policemen, old ladies etc., and every individual is different, after all, so there should always be something unique to capture.

I got into photography because I wanted better photos of my kids when they were babies. I got to a point where I needed an autofocus SLR, because my old SLR from 1988 wasn't cutting it, by the time I'd focused, kids had left the building

The boys were my favourite subjects of course and it IS good to have a subject you can be passionate about. When that happens and you go into the "zone" you are getting the best shots, unaware of the time passing or what the temperature is!

I found that I like shooting people best. I let myself fall in love with my subjects. See their beauty, connect with them, find intensity and humour. It's SO MUCH FUN!!!!

Inanimate object, buildings, landscapes and stuff don't do it for me so much any more. I used to be out snapping away at any old thing, but now that I do it for work, I think it took the fun out of it for me a bit

MacDaddy said:

muirdo said:

Any tips or advice for a novice?

I decided to buy a Panasonic Lumix FZ38 as I had always promised myself that I would get myself a half decent camera and take up a new hobby.

So what is everyone favourite "subjects" or styles and whats the best advice you can give?

Ask ZombieKitten!

you take a pretty good shot yourself mister!

Thanks folks...any experiences with the Panasonic Lumix?

I havent really read a bad thing about it cant wait

muirdo said:

Thanks folks...any experiences with the Panasonic Lumix?

I havent really read a bad thing about it cant wait

is is an SLR or SLR style?

so why not canon or nikon?

ZombieKitten said:

so why not canon or nikon?

I have a panasonic tv and the remote control can control the camera when its hooked up to it.

SLR...i dont know lol

http://www.panasonic.co.u...index.html

muirdo said:

ZombieKitten said:

so why not canon or nikon?

I have a panasonic tv and the remote control can control the camera when its hooked up to it.

SLR...i dont know lol

http://www.panasonic.co.u...index.html

I think it is from the looks of it

Start saving your money is my first advice, it can become a very expensive hobby because you'll just want moremoremore!

Taking the picture is only the first step with digital, then you get to 'develop' it with software which can be quick and easy or a nice piece of art you make after working on it for awhile.

There are some good Flickr groups, probably one for your type of camera too. I've learned a lot from reading the critique postings:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/photographycritique/

I also just found this nice list of webinars, but haven't watched any of them yet. I have taken a couple of workshops through this organization though.

http://www.digitalphotoacademy.com/Home/UserArticleCategories/UserArticles/params/object/8308/menu/111/default.aspx

Another resource is your local camera shop, if you have one. They may have workshops at their stores, which are sometimes free or shooting outings.

Hope you enjoy it!

[Edited 7/16/10 1:13am]

Love my land and seascapes..fav thing ever

advice---have fun!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want to begin taking it seriously know that u will literally sometimes have to wait hours for the perfect shot.

My first picture with it.

I ordered a memory card because I can only take a few pictures without one.

Cant wait to have a proper play around with it over the weekend.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/muirdo/P1000003.jpg[/img:$uid]

^^^^^ that came out lovely!

best tip is to shoot, shoot and SHOOT!

where can i get cheap illustrator and photoshop

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Cuddles said:

where can i get cheap illustrator and photoshop

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!!??!

are you a teacher or student?

Cuddles said:

where can i get cheap illustrator and photoshop

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!!??!

Buy older versions, you can still find them brand new. I paid around $125 for Photoshop CS3 about a year ago, still factory sealed and it registered with no problems.