I can’t remember when I first held a camera, but I have vague memories of flash bulbs that attached to the top of a boxy camera and long skinny film cartridges. I went through a few point and shoot 35mm cameras in my 20s. I would come home from events and vacations with rolls of exposed film. Then I got my first digital camera early in my 30s and, realizing how it costs nothing to take pictures anymore, I went wild, taking thousands of photos with my two Sony Cybershot point and shoot cameras .
Around 2009 I started thinking I want to get more serious about photography. I took a basic photography class at ScrapGirls which was a good introduction, but it was John Greengo, in Fundamentals of Digital Photography (below) who helped me really understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. My last Cybershot conveniently died in spring of 2010, just as I was deciding I wanted a DSLR.
After much reading, researching, trips to stores, and indecisiveness, I finally bought the Canon Rebel T1i in June 2010. Since then I’ve been studying and learning photography skills at a very slow pace. I only got my first non-kit lens for Christmas 2011.
Here are some photography resources I use.
Digital Photography School — one of my favorite sites for learning about photography
A recent favorite article from DPS: Take More Photos — Keep Less
Clickinmoms — my newest favorite site for learning about photography, I joined during the post Thanksgiving 2010 deal offering a large discount off Lifetime membership
KenRockwell.com — He is a professional photographer who has written many articles here about photography and cameras.
Dgrin – the forums at Smugmug, where there is sharing, critique, and challenges
POTN – Canon’s photography forums
Fundamentals of Digital Photography with John Greengo — This was a 10 week course recorded in spring 2010 and as of January 2012 is still available. I thought the free videos were so good I bought the whole course so I can watch it over and over as I’m ready to master another aspect of photography.
Magic Lantern Guide Book with DVD’s for Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR — A friend loaned me the DVDs and I found them helpful.
Canon Rebel T1i/500D: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Jeff Revell — Immediately after I purchased my camera I visited the bookstore, spent a long time browsing all the books, and decided this one is the best. I continue to refer to it often and not only do I learn from it but it is also enjoyable reading.
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, of course! This book is recommended over and over again. I finally got my own copy in December 2011.
Exposure Revisited — 10 Exposure Myths & Truths
21 Settings, Techniques and Rules All New Camera Owners Should Know by Darren Rowse
100 Things I’ve Learned About Photography by Darren Rowse
*************From Hobbyist to Professional*************
step one: get educated (I’m here!)
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/05/10/get-educated/
step two: gear
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/05/12/gear-you-actually-need/
step three: business
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/05/14/business-stuff/
step four: build your portfolio
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/05/17/building-your-portfolio/
step five: build your storefront
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/05/19/build-your-storefront/
step six: believe in you
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/05/21/believe-in-you/
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