Looking to start photography

[Chicky]

Howdy,

I've got a lot of spare cash floating around and i want to buy myself a birthday present so i'm looking to start photography. Now i've got this terrible habbit where i won't keep at anything unless i think it's going to benifit me somewhere in the future.

Now i believe i've got quite a keen eye for photograhy, i've studied art for three years on different levels and i'd like to think that that would help. But i'm not really sure where to start. Obviously the work that LGM does is quite amazing and very inspiring so i've got myself a role model to look up to already i just need some pointers of where to start.

I've yet to buy myself a camera and i've got a budget of around £200 but im not looking to spend all of that if i can help it. So i would apreciate some help buying a camera, i'm guessing that my best option is to go with one that you can fiddle around with the settings yourself (exposure etc). And after that any pointers of where to start would be apreciated too. Oh, and to add that that all do you think that photography is a good career to look into? I'm looking at my options for uni, also to what extent does photograhy have a part in graphic web design? As a graphic designer would you be asked to take your own photo's?

Thanks for reading, hope i can get some pointersÃ, 

[LGM]

h'okay. Here we go:

If you're looking to buy a cheaper camera to get started.. Are we talking digital or film? If digital, I'd go with one of the Powershot Pros... They look like DSLRs, but they're not quite there yet. Those might be a bit expensive, though, so just look for any of the Powershots. They are quite nice. You could also try the FinePix line of Fujifilm. Admirable color in that line.

If you are going the way of film, I'd say try to find you an older Canon EOS line. Rebels are very good and versatile.. Plus, you can use any lenses you buy on the digital line later on. Also, just shoot on BW film for beginners. If you have a photog store around they can set you up.

And to answer the career question. It certainly can't hurt to be a photographer in the graphic design department. And it certainly can't hurt to be a graphic designer in the photography department. They often go hand in hand. Being a art scholar helps, too, because you know how certain things should look like already in art. You probably know you're way around photoshop, which is extremely useful while editing your photos. Digital photography is quite amazing and you can do almost ANYTHING you put your mind to, if you know how to do it.

Who knows, if you end up liking photography you could start finding jobs by doing weddings or portraits, getting hired onto a studio, doing freelance.. Whatever. It's not a high-paying career unless you're damn good or have the money initially to start off a nice business... BUt it's very rewarding. Photography can only bring good into your life. Just be careful of how much you money you put into it, because it can get expensive.

[Pet Terry]

I second the Powershot comment, and that being able to photograph as a graphic designer helps a lot. Also, try staying away from automatic mode straight from the beginning and learn all the came controls. Also also, I have noticed that getting known to other photographers and chatting/photographing with them is a great way to learn different techniques and small tips.

If you enjoy photographing, you might want to try to get a job on your local newspaper as a photographer. That's what I have been doing for about five months now (as a substitute) and it's an awesome job.

[LGM]

Good points, petteri. Also, look into getting a http://www.flickr.com account. Tons of reputable photographers there.

[Chicky]

Thanks for the ace replies guys! I'll look into the camera's you sugested, and the comments about working as a photographer are really inspiring. I couldn't care less about money to be honest, aslong as i can get along with a family.

I'm at a really open part of my life at the moment, ive almost got a btec under my belt, its my 18th in a few days time and it feels i can do whatever i want with my life.

I'll be sure to get some photo's up once i've got my camera, might be going down to get one tommorow. I'll see whats on offer. Oh and i'm most certainly getting a digital, i couldn't do without photoshop.

fun times


*edit

I noticed this camera in the shop when looking yesterday, half price seems like a good deal?

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/855046

[LGM]

I'd got with something that'll give you a bit more control on your settings. That one looks to have no manual mode.

[Phemar]

I would like to again recommend the Canon Powershot. It's a good camera for Digital!

[Eigen]

Yeah, I have the Canon PowerShot camera as well and I've been able to produce some very decent images with it. I got it for my birthday, so I don't really know how much does it cost, but I think it's not very expensive.

I'm actually putting together a portofolio, or trying to, to show at the school I try to get into to study photography.

What do you like photographing btw? People, nature?



-Eigen

[LGM]

I'd like to see some of your work, Eigen

[Eigen]

Sure, I put up a quick gallery here. I know they aren't much really but I hope you like them.


-Eigen

[rharpe]

Get a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. Not a "point-n-shoot". (Assuming you want to learn photography?)

With interchangable lenses, detachable flash, a variety of: ISO, shutter speeds, and apature settings, you can learn more about photography the way it was intended.

I have an Olympus E-1 that is only 5 Megapixels, but it can create the most gorgeous pictures! I'll post some in this thread later to give you some samples.

Problem with my camera is that in USD currency, it cost me well over $1000! (Oh, but it was worth it!)

[Pet Terry]

Name me a DSLR that costs £200 and I'll buy it instant.

No, if you plan to become a professional photographer, then sure, go ahead and get an SLR camera. But quite frankly, seeing that chicky is only planning to start photography he'll do just fine with a compact camera for now. For example, I've got an old Canon Powershot A60 and it has all the options you (rharpe) listed (though quite limited) minus interchangeable lenses and detachable flash. Instead of getting expensive and professional quality stuff right at the beginning, get something cheaper and good instead, as you would do when buying your first guitar/other instrument. And after a while if you still think you'll want to keep going, get better equipment.

At work, though, I'm using either a Nikon D100 or a D200. Pure love. <3

EDIT: To clarify, I don't mean that you shouldn't get an SLR unless you plan to become a professional, I'm just saying that there's no point in getting an SLR when you're only starting photography.

[Chicky]

Woot, i'm back.

I got myself a canon Powershot A530 with a free £20 case! It seems to be pretty open as to what it can do with lots of manual settings which i don't have the first clue how to use

I'm going to review the 'advanced manual' and go up the hill to take some pictures tonight, should have some online by 11 GMT.

And your photo's are really cool too Eigen! Some nice desktops there.

[edmundito]

The cheapest dslr I've seen is an olympus one for USD $650. And that's a lot of money.

The powershots take really nice pictures. I've tested all the popular cameras out there and I've never seen anything better than the Powershot for that price. Good choice! Let us know when you get your photos online so we can see them

[Chicky]

Hey, i setup a Flickr account (cheers LGM!) with three of the photos i took today. I was just trying to get used to the manual settings really, great fun tho


http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathanhamley/

[LGM]

Awesome, Chicky. I'm excited for you! I already left you some flickr love and added you as a friend.

Eigen: you've got some nice nature shots. You should look into getting flickr too. If we have enough AGSers on there we could start a group. haha.