Hello everyone, I'm new to photography and have a general question. Is it beneficial to spend money on photography classes or are you of the opinion that practice and lots of it makes you a better photographer. I'm currently using a 40d and 5d mk2 with 16-35L and 24-105L and plan to get the 100L macro very soon. My interest are generally landscape and floral types of photos. Your opinion is much appreciated
spud
Honestly, I'd say online forums targeted to your interests are a great start. Yes, it's always beneficial to learn from a pro. However, you might want to exhaust all your free and/or cheap avenues before shelling out your hard-earned money for a photography class. Join a few floral or landscape groups on flickr. Buy books from photographers you admire (much cheaper than taking a course, and you can learn on your own time). Then make time to do whatever you've learned.
Spud, I do agree with Sean. There are a lot of great resources on the net, in the bookstores and probably some in your community and most are very inexpensive, if not free. However, taking a course from a reputable photographer can greatly ease the learning curve as well as provide valuable and sometimes painful critiques of your assignments. Some courses can be very valuable in assisting you to find "your" creative perspective. I have taken one online course and found it to be worth every penny and I am planning on taking a few more as funding permits. You have some nice equipment, why not learn to take full advantage of it.
Originally Posted by spud
Aboslutely. Regardless of where you find the knowledge----practice, is the only way you are going to be able hone the skills and techniques you learn.
If your interested in online courses, check out http://www.ppsop.com/ it has courses that would benefit just about any photographic interest and the instructors are all verywell known in thier own ares of expertise. If I had to recommend a first course for a beginner, it would be Bryan Petersons "Understanding Exposure" which is based on his book of the same name.
Hope this helps,
Bob
Bob
Sean and Bob thanks for the reply. Since the olympics is in my part of the world right now, I will use it to practice my photography but sometimes I get in a funk with composing my shots. I will take both of your advice of scanning the net for info first before taking any courses. I've been looking at Ansel Adams photos of late for inspiration
Spud
Hey Spud,
well since you have quite a gear, you're probably not a "real" beginner. I found the courses where I've been very helpfull, but not for me. A lot of time there are a lot of "real"starters that seem to know nothing at all and so asking to much attention from the teachers. Resulting in coming home learning only 2 things while you could have learned 30 things.
My opinion, don't go to courses that are to general. Master-classes of particular subject would be great though!
Otherwise buy a few books. They are often a lot cheaper and you could look into them whenever you want. Also look at forums and other info at the internet.
Besides that, just go out and shoot!
Jan
Any books you'd recommend as must-reads? Anything you personally loved? I'd rather read on my own than take an online course, but looking through Amazon's inventory is overwhelming. Thanks!
I agree with all the other replies bout books, online forums, etc...
Another free option is simply to search for photography lessons, tips, etc... on youtube. Lots of pepole are sharing their experience there.
My interests lay in portraiture (and, more specifically, the use of small off-camnera flashes in portraiture). My favorite book reflects that: Joe McNally's [i][url="http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shoe-Diaries-Light-Flashes/dp/0321580141/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267117148& amp;sr=8-1]Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes[/url][/i]. The only bad thing about Hot Shoe Diaries is that it's very Nikon centric. Other than that, the principles are still the same.
I also greatly respect the author of <span id="btAsinTitle"]Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography, Kirk Tuck, although I do not own the book.
Hey Sean,
What about David Hobby @ www.strobist.com ?
You learn a couplle things over there too, didn't ya?
Cause, I know I did. Still do.
Absolutely. That's ground-zero for off-camera small flash use; it certainly is required reading. He also has a collection of DVDs that I've heard are quite good (I don't own them, though), but they'll set you back about $140 or so. To be honest, I've probably learned just as much from the strobist flickr group as well.
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