Calling Kenny - photography for dummies

[MJ_Mac]

Hi @kenny, I was wondering if you could recommend a site or a book that gives basic pointers and photography definitions that are easy to understand. I am the world’s worst photographer and I need something that really starts with basics and isn’t complicated. I feel overwhelmed when I start googling information. As an example, when you talk about white balancing my eyes start to glaze over. I am under no illusion that I’ll ever be a good photographer (you either have it or you don’t and I know I don’t), I just want to be able to take a decent picture. I read the camera manuals but they don’t make much sense to me. Thx!

 

[yssie]

I'm obviously not @kenny But I just wanted to say that I totally disagree with this!!

be a good photographer (you either have it or you don’t and I know I don’t), I just want to be able to take a decent picture.

A decent camera and a decent understanding of how to make the best of it and absolutely anyone can take wonderful photos - much better than any filters and HD software can cook up!

Camera manuals are honestly probably the worst way to figure things out - they're like dictionaries for the camera language I just did a quick search for photography basics and this site popped up. Seems pretty good - all the basics are laid out, no promotions interrupting every paragraph...

Photography Basics: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Photography isn’t the only way to capture the world, but it certainly is one of the most effective. Look no further than the nearest social media feed, news station, magazine article, or book cover to see it – photographs have power. If you want to harness that power and learn how to take the...

photographylife.com

What camera do you have?

 

[MJ_Mac]

Thanks @yssie. I'll check it out tomorrow as it's almost bedtime here.

We have three cameras - all Canon. Two Powershots (one older and a fairly new one) and the other one I have no idea. I just call it my husband's fancy camera (lol). No way am I going near it. I am much better with the older Powershot. I am one of those people that manage to cut off people's heads with digital cameras and make all animals look as if they've been possessed by the devil .

 

[yssie]

Oh I’m a HUGE Canon fan.

Other manufacturers add gizmos and gadgets and widgets - bigger-range this, higher-power that... Canon doesn’t load up on features - they just focus on doing what they’re going to do well. And they do it really, really well - their cameras are sturdy and reliable, behaviour is consistent and predictable, and Canon’s colour science is unparalleled

I’ve had a number of Powershots - an A, an Elph, the S95 and S120, now I use a G7X. They’re all fixed-lens point-and-shoots. The biggest difference is how much control you have over manual settings - anything below the S/G/Pro lines will leave you pretty powerless, to be honest... so depending on exactly what you’ve got DH’s fancy camera might come to look more interesting

 

[kenny]

I'd say start with yssie's link.
Then post questions it raises here, and I'll do my best to answer.

I agree with yssie in suspecting your hubby's "fancy camera" may be the one you should consider using.
Lower level camera's can take nice pics that are simple and less demanding but when you want the best pics of difficult subjects you need better gear.
You'll hit a wall using simpler cameras like phone cameras or Powershots.

When you learn photography basics the fancier cameras are the way to go for many reasons.
Just concentrate on the basics and ignore the fancier features for now.

Don't be afraid of a nice camera, they don't bite.
I don't use vast majority of my camera's features - and I don't worry about it - if I need it some day I'll learn about all that.
Just learn the basics, and get started.
There's no film to pay for or pay to develop so just grab it and start shooting and experimenting.
Have fun; there's no hurry.

For the best pics you need to understand what you need to control, instead of letting a camera do the thinking and making decisions making for you.
Simple cameras take over control and decision making .
While that's easier for simple pics and for people who want to learn nothing, you sound like you want to take great pics.

Even my zillion dollar pro Nikon DSLR makes some stupid decisions.
Humans have better brains than any camera.
Just start learning the basics.

 

[kenny]

Poodles4me wrote, "We have three cameras - all Canon. Two Powershots (one older and a fairly new one) and the other one I have no idea. I just call it my husband's fancy camera (lol). No way am I going near it. I am much better with the older Powershot. I am one of those people that manage to cut off people's heads with digital cameras and make all animals look as if they've been possessed by the devil"

Problem: Cutting off peoples' heads?
Solution: Don't do that.
How? : Look into the viewfinder or on the LCD on the back of the camera to see you what you are about to take a picture of.
If the head is cut off either zoom out or step back till the person head is there.
... unless of course you really do have friends without heads.

Problem: "Making all animals look as if they've been possessed by the devil".
Solution: Hmmm ... It would help if you posted examples for feedback and troubleshooting.

 

[OoohShiny]

Practice.

Practice.

Practice.

As someone much wiser than me once said!


Personally speaking, I think it's good to dedicate a chunk of time to just 'playing' with a camera

If it has full Manual mode, take a picture in Auto mode, copy the settings it has chosen into Manual mode (so you know you are starting with a reasonable exposure setting), then pick one of those settings to alter and take several pictures of the same thing, altering that one setting from one end of its scale to the other - that can show you what difference changing that setting makes

When you think you have got it, you can do the same for another setting!


Similarly, taking a picture of the same thing several times in Auto mode (for ease of use) can help you work on composition within the frame:
- centre the object of interest, like a classic portrait,
- put it to one side (see 'the rule of thirds' if you are reading up),
- zoom in to focus on a key detail,
- zoom out to capture the subject within the environment,
- change the depth of field (the aperture, i.e. the 'f-number' setting) to put the whole scene in focus or blur the background (if you've found and played with the aperture setting)...

If you can break each variable down and learn what it does, it becomes easier to work out what you might want to change for each photo you take, rather than it all being overwhelming!


Just chill out and take your time, and with practice and trial-and-error should come understanding and confidence And if it's not making sense straight away, perhaps try a different subject matter or put it down and try again tomorrow - there's no hurry!

If I can do it, anyone can. lol

 

[MJ_Mac]

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for not responding sooner as I’ve been struggling with a migraine the last few days.

@kenny, you originally asked about what kind of pictures I am mostly interested in taking. We live next to an urban forest so I am particularly interested in getting good wildlife shots, especially the nutty squirrels (pun intended). And I wouldn’t be a PS’r if I didn’t want to get good fur baby and bling pics. Right now I would say I do better taking pics of the fur kids than my rings.

Your post, before you edited it, was a very interesting read. Your photography background was quite an education. And it must have been very expensive!

I mostly have been using my iPhone camera. I have to admit it drives me a bit batty at times but it’s handy. But you are right, it wants to control everything. I have so many pictures of our late dog where she has red glowing eyes. At least the iPhone seems to eliminate that irritation.

You and @yssie have me convinced to break out the fancy and go for it. I will have to look up the basic definitions first (had to look up what @OoohShiny meant a couple of times ) . Thanks for the help and suggestions.

 

[Tonks]

If you can find a class, even online, it will help a ton. There’s a great organization called Clickin Moms that runs classes. They have one called Mastering Manual Exposure that was what finally got it to click (no pun intended) for me. Once that happened, it has been SO much fun! Even if you don’t intend to use the fancy DSLR now, you might find that you love the control over detail that it gives you.

My other advice is to shoot every day. It is a learned skill. And practice on inanimate objects if the people around you aren’t cooperative. I love macro and honestly got into it because my kids were not being helpful when I asked them to do things for the camera. Flowers take direction really well.