New Hobby

[hunnymonster]

Above all though - take photos, lots of them - and decide what you like taking pictures of and for the technical side - you'll soon learn the feel of what makes the photos work in various situations.

And I'm with you 100% on getting it right in the camera

 

[Northam Saint]

Above all though - take photos, lots of them - and decide what you like taking pictures of and for the technical side - you'll soon learn the feel of what makes the photos work in various situations.

And I'm with you 100% on getting it right in the camera

Absolutely. Take the same shot from different angles and with different settings. Frame the subject to the centre, to the left and to the right. Then there is the landscape two thirds rule, you can take or leave that.

One of the joys of digital is if you don't like it you just delete and carry on, no wasting film and money on processing.

Also if you like it that's the main thing, everyone's view on a photo will be different, never get hung up on other peoples negative comments.

 

[hunnymonster]

Another one being that you can use an EXIF viewer to see what settings were used - back in the silver halide days you needed to keep a notebook to hand to take notes. Not saying that you shouldn't do that with a digital hat on but at least you don't need to.

 

[YorkNeil]

EXIF viewer - what a great tool. Thanks again all.

 

[eneville]

Understanding the cameras relationship with light is the most fundamental thing you need to know -

1. Aperture - how much light the lens lets in on the film/sensor
2. Shutter speed - how long the film/sensor is exposed to the light
3. ISO - the rate at which the film/sensor gathers light

If you google these items you should be able to find articles that explain them simply. A good understanding goes a long way to improving your photography.

Also, try the exposure triangle, http://peaceofmyheartphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ExposureTriangle._V391966108_-1.jpg same thing really, just different term.