All things about photograpy

[VintageFemme]

I love that this thread has been created. There are a few photography threads on the site but they don't seem to get much attention which is why you probably couldn't find them. Hopefully, this one will be different given it's an obsession of mine. It's the reason I logged in today! ヅ

I shoot film exclusively. I don't even own a digital camera [save for my iPhone and an old Nikon point & shoot that I haven't pointed at anything in ages]. It's just my preference. I need more pixels in my life like that proverbial fish on a bicycle ヅ however, I do appreciate the convenience and ease of digital photography. Having said that, the equipment I use are 35mm and medium format cameras. I shoot primarily with my Pentax ME Super & Minolta SRT 202, both professional SLR vintage cameras from the 1970s. I also collect vintage cameras and love shooting with my 50 year old Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. I have to admit to also loving my little plastic toy Holga just as much as my SLR's. It's just entirely too much fun to shoot. It's always like Christmas when I get those prints processed.

I do though want to say that I don't really think equipment makes a photographer good nor do structured classes. While both of those things can and do help and there are just some things you have to know and some items you have to have, but truly it's a passion that you feel within your very soul to be good at it in my opinion. It's like anything else in this life. Love it and it will love you. Photographers are a dime a dozen today and buying the newest most sophisticated gear is really madness because that gorgeous camera and all of that beautiful glass will be obsolete next month when something bigger and better is introduced into the marketplace and so in that, again in my opinion, it's a matter of finding what suits you and your tastes and learning everything you can about that particular piece. Like Charles Bukowski said, 'find what you love and let it kill you'.

Here is a link to my photoblog where you can see what I do with film.

http://faireunvoeu.wordpress.com/

P.s. I do very little post editing anymore - I did quite a bit in my early years but now I don't find the need or desire so much. I'd be lying if I said I didn't edit at all but I do keep it at a preferred minimum. I don't even know how to use Photoshop. ヅ

[NitroChrys_Butch]

I agree with Vintage Femme about the equipment does not make a good photographer. It is in your soul and your blood or it isn't. There needs to be talent and and eye for composition. Photography is My obsession and passion. Learn the rules of photography and then break them. RULE is a four-lettered word.

[kittygrrl]

I don't know enough to comment, but I'm here to learn. ty

[NitroChrys_Butch]

Originally Posted by kittygrrl

I don't know enough to comment, but I'm here to learn. ty

Welcome aboard. That is what it is all about! *G

[NitroChrys_Butch]

Originally Posted by VintageFemme

I love that this thread has been created. There are a few photography threads on the site but they don't seem to get much attention which is why you probably couldn't find them. Hopefully, this one will be different given it's an obsession of mine. It's the reason I logged in today! ヅ

I shoot film exclusively. I don't even own a digital camera [save for my iPhone and an old Nikon point & shoot that I haven't pointed at anything in ages]. It's just my preference. I need more pixels in my life like that proverbial fish on a bicycle ヅ however, I do appreciate the convenience and ease of digital photography. Having said that, the equipment I use are 35mm and medium format cameras. I shoot primarily with my Pentax ME Super & Minolta SRT 202, both professional SLR vintage cameras from the 1970s. I also collect vintage cameras and love shooting with my 50 year old Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. I have to admit to also loving my little plastic toy Holga just as much as my SLR's. It's just entirely too much fun to shoot. It's always like Christmas when I get those prints processed.

I do though want to say that I don't really think equipment makes a photographer good nor do structured classes. While both of those things can and do help and there are just some things you have to know and some items you have to have, but truly it's a passion that you feel within your very soul to be good at it in my opinion. It's like anything else in this life. Love it and it will love you. Photographers are a dime a dozen today and buying the newest most sophisticated gear is really madness because that gorgeous camera and all of that beautiful glass will be obsolete next month when something bigger and better is introduced into the marketplace and so in that, again in my opinion, it's a matter of finding what suits you and your tastes and learning everything you can about that particular piece. Like Charles Bukowski said, 'find what you love and let it kill you'.

Here is a link to my photoblog where you can see what I do with film.

http://faireunvoeu.wordpress.com/

P.s. I do very little post editing anymore - I did quite a bit in my early years but now I don't find the need or desire so much. I'd be lying if I said I didn't edit at all but I do keep it at a preferred minimum. I don't even know how to use Photoshop. ヅ

Your photographs are magnificent. Thank you for allowing Me to take a look.

[little man]

i bought a canon t4i about a year ago. i had been shooting with a nikon d50 as well as a canon rebel. i got the t4i because it has video capability, and that holds some interest for me, as an expansion on my skill set.

i like the canon better for portrait and performance work. the nikon is my choice for landscapes and outdoor shooting.

at present, i shoot primarily live performance stuff. bands and burlesque dancers, mostly. it's mostly low light and crappy lighting, at that. although, i have had the opportunity to shoot a couple of burlesque festivals where the lighting was wonderful. that made it easier.

the only advice i would offer to anyone is to shoot what you love. if your subject holds your interest, and delights you, you have a greater shot at pics you'll be satisfied with. experiment. try new things. shooting digital allows you so much leeway in experimentation...no film and processing costs. i've seen some really amazing effects done with photoshop, too. it all depends on what sort of images you look to create.

i do minimal editing on my images. mostly, i crop or adjust light levels. that's pretty much it.

you can see some of my burlesque work here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildu...16358705048277

[justkim]

I am waiting for girl_dee to make an appearance... where of where can she be?

Thanks for stopping by Wil, glad you are getting better. I would love to hear what kind of books, websites, ect. you have used since you started shotting pictures.

[little man]

Originally Posted by justkim

Thanks for stopping by Wil, glad you are getting better. I would love to hear what kind of books, websites, ect. you have used since you started shotting pictures.

healing seems to be a slow process. i suppose not being a spring chicken plays into that...

what i know about photography has been mostly self-taught, through experimentation. i do have a friend who has helped me a lot with the post processing, though. mostly things like how to touch up and even out colors and tones in the background. other than that, i just try stuff and see how that works out. not helpful, i know, but it's the way i learn and retain best.

i don't really have any "how to" books. mostly, i treat myself to what i call picture books and look at those. i have an affinity for early 20th century, eastern european photographers. i like them because they see in ways very similar to the way i see. i do pick up books that are on topics i enjoy...old signage, rt 66, things like that. i buy these books as treats for myself, rather than as instructional tools. most of my ideas/inspiration comes from conversations i have with people. random things start a thought process, and it turns visual at some point.

i will say, though, that i am fascinated with light and its interplay with objects and shadow. i'm a big fan of high contrast. then again, i have some photos i've done that look almost like impressionist paintings.

mostly, i shoot what catches my eye or captures my imagination. lots of help, huh?

I sorta got lucky in that I ended up with a photographer who ended up doing a photography BA (she got a first) and then became a teacher and a professional photog. I learned a lot from her.

The most basic top tips that revolutionised my picture taking were:

• Actually look at what's in the viewfinder; sounds like a no brainer but it's amazing how moving objects out of the frame makes a huge difference.
  
  
• Look up the rule of thirds and the golden mean.
  
  
• Remember we read from left to right.
  
  
• Play in manual mode, it's a good way to learn the relationship between aperture and shutter speed.
  
  
• It's not about the camera, it's the glass that's important. Invest in good lenses. Most affordable lenses are 'slow', pay more for a wider aperture, it's worth the cash. If you can't afford more than the camera for a lens then invest in a half decent tripod and use it.
  
  
• A good photographer takes good pictures no matter what camera they're using. A better camera just means you got more money than the person using their phone camera, not that you're a better photographer.

[Bard]

you guys are making me want to take the plunge and do something I have always wanted to photography always interested me and I have looked at classes so many times but was just plain scared but i really want to

[Kätzchen]

I bought a Canon AE-1 camera at an estate sale recently and it came with some accessories, too. It even has the original case and booklet on how to use this camera. Can’t wait to take pictures of beautiful places and spaces, especially sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Maybe even take some pics if I make it to the southwest area of Arizona and New Mexico.