Photography

[d_kendal]

I'm not sure, I've just started looking in to this, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same here.

- David

[clare]

Hello David,

When I first started photography the books that helped me the most were Micheal Langfords - 'Basic photography' and 'Advanced photography'. They have a good range of information about the basics.

Hope this helps

Clare

[Bob Walden]

Hi David! My suggestion fo r a book is UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE by Bryan Peterson. One of my all time favs. Very informative. Published by AMPHOTO I think.

Bob

[d_kendal]

thanks Bob and Clare,

I checked out the books at amazon.ca and they both look like great books and have great recommendations from the pro's.

- David

[DannyRaphael]

David:

I believe some of the best advice I ever got (that I actually followed), was to create a photo log sheet (easy to do these days with word processing) on which I'd record the important details of a given shot... for example (these would be column headings with exception of "Film Type"):

FILM TYPE: Tri-X (or whatever)

PIC #: Which picture within the roll
TIME: Sometimes time of day/lighting can affect outcome dramatically.
WEATHER: Sunny, overcast, whatever.
APERATURE: for example, F5.6
SPEED: for example, 125
M/A: Manual settings or automatic? This gave me a feel for how much I ould "trust" the camera's automation.
COMMENTS: Whatever you think is important

- - - - - -

Then for a given shot I'd take 3-4 variations, the first being in "automatic mode," and subsequent shots were taken by varying shutter speed and/or aperature.

Having this info available when the prints came back was invaluable in understanding why I got the results I did for a given shot. For example it didn't take long to grasp concept of "stops" and the relationship between aperature and shutter speed, circumstances when internal metering can be fooled, for example, snow scenes or backlit situations.

HTH...Good luck.
~Danny~

BTW: I was a Canon AE-1 user. Still have it and it works great. Replaced it with a Nikon, however, beause I needed autofocus to compensate for my "not nearly as good as it used to be" eyesight.

[CJ Swartz]

some of the best advice I ever got (that I actually followed), was to create a photo log sheet

Excellent point, Danny, and a great way for someone to learn. David, remember that slide film will show you exactly what you shot (not enough light due to choice of aperature/shutter speed -- image too dark, etc.). This is important when you're learning the basics. You don't need a slide projector to view your slides -- a light table would be great, but a small hand viewer will work also. Once you have learned to make properly exposed images, you can decide to shoot print film or keep shooting the "chromes"....or more likely, switch to digital. But you'll have the basics down, and then it's all up to your vision.

[d_kendal]

those are some really good suggestions, I'll definitely have to try those out. thanks!

- David

[Steve Taylor]

Originally posted by d_kendal
wow, thanks for all the info everybody, I've got lots to go on now! I want to get an SLR camera so it's great to get all the info about those camera's. I'm on a tight budget so i'm definitely looking at the used market, and so the info about what are good older used cameras is a big help (in the local "bargain finder" I saw a few AE-1's and lots of others like it so it shouldn't be too hard to find one). The list of books looks great Jak, thanks!

- David

Don't forget to check Ebay for equipment and books.

[d_kendal]

good suggestion steve, thanks.

the books I ended up getting were, "Basic photography" by Micheal Langford (thanks for the recommend clara, it's a great book) and he "Canon EOS Rebel 2000" put out by Magic Lanter Guides.
I also found out that my dad has an old Pentax SLR camera, complete with a flash and zoom lens. I'm really excited to start trying it out.

- David

[BigAl]

That "old" camera is probably the K1000 model that Ed & Greg were referring to. That really was a tough camera. You'll learn a lot using it.

Good luck

[clare]

Glad you found the basic photography book of interest. I still use them and I've had the pair for about 10 years. I think those reference books we all go back to again and again are worth the inicial price. I've bought so many books over the years only to read parts of them once and then they just gather dust on my book shelves - then I just think - I wish my library had this one and had saved me the expence!

I bought a Minolta fully automatic auto focus camera a few years ago, I long for a fully manual camera. I bought this to replace my aged OM10 which saw me all the way through my college, but died unexpectedly I know it wasn't the best camera but it was my first!

One of the most useful experiments I found whilst learning photography was the zone system. It just made me realise how much you can manipulate the image without a computer - and get fantastic results.

Please keep us posted as to how you get on - good luck in your studies.

Have you built a box camera? Always fun and extremely cheap! The results can be quite good - I've got a list of exact messurements somewhere if you want to give it a go. Just yell.

[d_kendal]

Originally posted by BigAl
That "old" camera is probably the K1000 model that Ed & Greg were referring to. That really was a tough camera. You'll learn a lot using it.

Good luck

I don't think that's the one, but I can't remember the exact name of it so I'll have to check.

Clare - the box camera project sounds extremely interesting, since I want to learn more about the workings of a camera, so if you could post more details I'd really appreciate it. thanks for the idea!!!

- David

[chris h]

Dave after this avalanche of advice have you pointed the camera at anything yet ?

[G. Couch]

Your discovery of your Dad's old camera reminds me of a funny story my wife told me...she took a basic photo class in college and her Dad mentioned an old camera he had. Turned out to be a Leica!

Chris is right...load that thing up with film and start experimenting!

[d_kendal]

Originally posted by chris h
Dave after this avalanche of advice have you pointed the camera at anything yet ?

actually, not yet. I got permission from him to start trying it out, but I need to find a new battery for it (I hope the kind of battery it uses is still available - the camera is from about 1970)

Greg - wow, that would be a *really* nice surprise!

- David