Consumer Electronics introduced
I am interested in taking photography lessons. What is the best affordable camera to start with, and should I?
Question : I am interested in taking photography lessons. What is the best affordable camera to start with, and should I?
I am interested in taking photography lessons. What is the best affordable camera to start with, and should I take online class or go to a community college. Thank you.
photography lessons
Best answer:
Answer by Razmatazz
An entry level SLR is a great option. Canon Rebel, Nikon D300, etc. Hands on and individual instruction are better, also stuff with homework.. it forces you to take it more seriously. You can certainly look at local adult education courses and look for art centers that have educational classes. I HIGHLY recommend getting a cheap 35mm camera and some b&w film and taking a basics of film photography that includes darkroom time.
-
#2 written by David 1 year ago
(1) If you can afford it, make sure you get an entry-level D-SLR rather than a point-and-shoot. This way you have easy and immediate access to manual controls which is absolutely essential if you’re serious about getting into photography. In terms of the make, I prefer Nikon. A Nikon D5000 will only set you back about $ 100 more than a pricey point-and-shoot. Look for sales at WalMart, Costco, Best Buy…
(2) Although they are great to learn on, I would avoid the film-based SLR at this point. Your film and processing costs are going to kill you and you won’t take as many images which defeats the purpose of practice.
(3) Online class AND community college night course. Do NOT pay for an online course! There is plenty of excellent photography training for free.
Try http://www.FreePhotoCourse.com for easy-to-understand as well as advanced and very well illustrated photography tips, lessons, forum, etc.
Also try http://www.GeoffLawrence.com for different articles, how-to’s and other interesting photography training.
Good Luck budding Shutterbug!
-
#3 written by Sarah 1 year ago
For the best possible camera for just about anything, fun or serious, I’d get a Nikon D5000. (I still use my older and less expensive Nikon D40, but it’s no longer available new.)
Sure, I own more expensive cameras, but whenever I grab a camera for my own personal vacations or family photos, it’s almost always a small and lightweight camera like the Nikon D5000. There isn’t anything reasonable I can’t do with the Nikon D5000. There is very little reason to pay more for a Nikon D90 or D300s. Save your money for more important things, like another lens or flash, or just pocket the difference and enjoy a nice vacation.
I wouldn’t bother with the more expensive Nikons unless you really want to spend money, or will be using it all day, every day. Don’t worry about durability: I’ve made somewhere around 30,000 shots on my older, less expensive D40 and it still looks and works like new.
I only use my more expensive cameras when I’m shooting all day. If I’m spending more time carrying it than using it, I grab something like the Nikon D5000.
I never took a class, I got most of my information from the internet (very helpful).
Reasonable Tips:
-Hold your camera at the subjects eye level to capture the power of those magnetic gazes.
-For kids and pets that means getting down on your knees to there level.
-They don’t have to look directly into the camera, the eye level angle by itself will create a personal and inviting feeling.
-Before taking a picture, check the area behind your subject.
-Look out for trees or poles sprouting from your subjects head.
-A cluttered background will be distracting while a plain background will emphasize your subject.
-Always use the flash outdoors even if its sunny.
-To create impactful pictures, move in close and fill your picture with the subject.
-lock the focus
Here is 1 of my photos:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs145.ash2/40605_106199696103186_100001394692293_58925_2240212_n.jpgHope this helps! -Sarah
-
- Comment Feed for this Post
there are loads of affordable cameras out there.
Probably the best thing to do is to find a local class (either a community college or adult enrichment class), and try to find out what camera you need for that class.
If you can’t contact the instructor, you can’t really go wrong with a 35mm SLR camera. If you have more money to spend, you can get an entry level digital SLR.