Photography Lessons

Luvscrappin

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 25, 2003
So I am thinking I would like to take some photography lessons to improve my skills. What should I look for when choosing an instructor/ class? I am definitely an amateur but I love taking photos and now even more so that I am a new grandma and looking forward to taking my grand daughter to WDW. So did you all take lessons or are you self taught? thanks!
 
As far as shooting, self-taught wil work well for you. Back in the day, I did take a community college class so I could delve into darkroom work (chemicals, enlargers, the whole schmeer). But there are an amazing number of decent books that will teach you what you need to know. I personally would recommend one of the Naitonal Geographic books (the "Field Guide" series for example).

However, I will admit that journey is a little one-sided and can take longer. Working with a group, especially when doing class critiques, can expose you to other viewpoints that will help you season your "eye" - the way you think when you view and compose your work through a viewfinder. Look for college extension classes and local community center learning opportunities for inexpensive ways to do this.

Don't worry too much about post-processing. Even in the digital world, if you shoot it right, a lot of th computer "fixing" won't be necessary. And, if you go the class route, there'll be a chunk of discussion about it anyway.
 
A very good first step would be to read "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Then I would start looking for a good tutorial series on YouTube.
 


I took a class 1,000 years ago (pre-digital) and I have forgotten most of what was taught regarding lighting, etc. but the one thing that stuck with me was take a lot of pictures. Based on the law of averages you'll get some good ones.

I am that annoying person at the party who needs to take another one (or three) in case the first one didn't come out.
 
I would second the Bryan Peterson book, Understanding Exposure. If you get nothing else, other than an understanding of the exposure triangle, it is well worth the read. Most, and I would argue all, photography is based on the relationship between Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO (the exposure triangle). It's not a hard read.
 
but the one thing that stuck with me was take a lot of pictures. Based on the law of averages you'll get some good ones.
.

This is called "spray and pray" photography, and not what taking serious pictures is about.

I am that annoying person at the party who needs to take another one (or three) in case the first one didn't come out.

if you compose your shot correctly, and put a little thought into it, you don't have to be "that annoying person" you described above.

I take more of a SNIPER'S approach. 1 shot - 1 kill
 
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I would second the Bryan Peterson book, Understanding Exposure. If you get nothing else, other than an understanding of the exposure triangle, it is well worth the read. Most, and I would argue all, photography is based on the relationship between Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO (the exposure triangle). It's not a hard read.

What he said. Bryan Peterson is a legend and a great teacher.
 

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