Hey gals!!
I thought it'd be cool to put together a thread for beginners who just love taking pictures. Not necessarily business purposes, but maybe you got a nicer camera to take pictures of family and have a fun hobby! I am NOT A PRO, I'm a beginner too. Wanted to share some resources I've come across or that has been recommended to me.
If you have any helpful advice, need advice, or want to share your pics feel free!
Not sure where to start? Want to take the camera off Auto? Well then, here's a bunch of resources to learn about your camera!
* Great blogs
http://digital-photography-school.com/
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/
http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com/blog/
*Pinterest boards
http://pinterest.com/dpschool/
http://pinterest.com/cici/
http://pinterest.com/mcpactions/
*Youtube videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/JaredPolin
http://www.youtube.com/user/GregoryCazillo
http://www.youtube.com/user/PhotographersOnUTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/douggordonworkshops/videos?view=0&flow=grid
*Settings Simulator
http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator/
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/
*Basic terms glossary*
Aperture:
The setting that controls
how much light comes through to the camera. Aperture is measured in "f/stops". The smaller the number, the more light is let in. A smaller f number will also help you create that "blurred background" or depth of field. A lower f number is only suitable for photographing a single object or person. If you try to photograph two or more people at lets say, f 1.8, only 1 person will be in focus. You will have to raise your f number to keep to the people sharp and in focus.
Extra:
"The Sunny 16"
This is a great little "tool" to remember when you're shooting in a very bright outdoor situation (which you'd want to avoid at all costs, but sometimes just can't)
Simply, the Sunny 16 rule is, in order to creat a properly exposed photo, set your camera's Aperture to f/16. Then, whatever your ISO setting(explained below) is, set your shutter speed for 1/[ISO]. So if your ISO is set at 200, your camera's settings would show: f/16, shutter speed 1/200, and ISO 200.
http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/tips/054a_exposure_sunny_16.htm
ISO:
ISO is the camera's
sensitivity to light. It started in film photography, where you would buy higher or lower ISO film in accordance to what you would be shooting. In digital SLR cameras, all you have to do is raise your ISO setting.
When shooting outdoors in optimal light, you'd like to keep your ISO as low as possibly. When shooting indoors in lower light, raise your ISO. Remember, that raising your ISO can create noise in your images, so make sure to adjust your shutter speed and aperture accordingly
As seen in the last row, if you have a photo editing program called Light Room, you can run noise reduction on a grainy photo, and make it a little more presentable. Be careful with this though, because if used too much, it can make your photos look "soft" and fake.
Shutter speed:
Shutter speed is the speed that your cameras shutter opens and closes. The higher the fraction, the faster your shutter clicks. So 1/800 of a second shutter speed, is going to click faster than 1/125. Now, the faster your shutter speed, the LESS light is coming into your camera. Use a fast shutter speed in a well lit situation, in order to "freeze" motion, like at a sporting event.
If you want to "capture" motion, or let more light in, set your camera for a lower shutter speed. You can even set your camera's shutter to stay open for several seconds, to really capture the motion of someone walking, running, etc.
http://www.diyphotography.net/shutter-speed
If you have any favorite blogs, videos, or learning resources please let me know and I will add to the OP!
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