Maybe provide a section for "starters" which talk about boring stuff that only starters would discuss - like "Photography for Dummies" which I'm sure the Pros will only skim in reading. And another one section for "Pro," which really deals with subjects that breaks mind boggling techniques! this is a lame recommendation, but it's something. right? :)

Hi Ian,

Feel free to post your "beginners" questions under the general photography. That is what its for. We do have a "beginners" section on the photo gallery.

Thank you,
Pilar

Maybe provide a section for "starters" which talk about boring stuff that only starters would discuss - like "Photography for Dummies" which I'm sure the Pros will only skim in reading. And another one section for "Pro," which really deals with subjects that breaks mind boggling techniques! this is a lame recommendation, but it's something. right? :)


Hello Ian & Pros,

I'm a brand new member of this forum and I have a bunch of questions regarding photography, coz' I have zero knowledge with this kind of field. As beginner, I am interested to learn photography mainly because as hobby or libangan and maybe eventually to join your contests.
My questions are:
1. Do you think, I need to go to school to study photography or do you know any learning materials like books, tutorial CD that I can work on?
2. What camera do you recommend that I should buy?

Well, that's all for now...hope to hear your expertise...TIA.

Hi REmy,

Welcome to the forum. For beginners here are some tips on how to best learn photography.

1. Your camera MUST have a manual mode on it. You wont learn how to control the camera if the camera does all the thinking for you. You must "tame the beast" so to speak:D . An SLR would be ideal but if you are low on funds and really want to learn than a compact camera with a manual mode will be fine for starters.

2. Understand what all the buttons in the camera is for. If your camera has no manual, download it from the internet. You must be comfortable with your camera before you take any lessons. Even for basic photography. Your instructor wont teach every student what the buttons are for or how to access the ISO of the camera.

3. Read, read, read. Don't just buy books/magazines to look at the pictures. Try to understand what settings were used and why. Try to practice what you read. Look at the compositions and try to "compose in the camera" and not in photoshop.


4. Attend Seminars from reputable sources/photographers.

5. Practice. That is the only way to really develop "the eye"

6. Learn Photoshop. I am not talking about trying to improve a bad image in photoshop. I am talking about learning how to do color corrections, cropping, converting to black and white. Also about the workflow, downloading, and archiving. Nowadays, it goes hand in hand with digital photography.

7. "Learn the rules....... and then break them". :Grin:


Good Luck!!

I believe we need to create a true beginners section. For now, post it under General Photography. Our Nino Pasamonte will set up a beginners section under General Photography and we will call it

SNAPSHOTS- the forum for all beginners.

hi. i'm a new member of this forum and i am impressed with with all the photos i've checked. now i want to have my own slr camera and i'm planning to buy a canon eos 30D. do you know any store that offers the cheapest price for this camera? i tried amazon and ebay and i'm still hoping to find more sites that offers cheaper ones. thanks.

oh no i think that message i sent above is too hard to read.

oh no i think that message i sent above is too hard to read.
I fixed it Frances:Grin:

hi. i'm a new member of this forum and i am impressed with with all the photos i've checked. now i want to have my own slr camera and i'm planning to buy a canon eos 30D. do you know any store that offers the cheapest price for this camera? i tried amazon and ebay and i'm still hoping to find more sites that offers cheaper ones. thanks.

Frances,

If you're based in San Antonio, TX, you might well try logging on to B&H Photo from NY. B&H is one of the world's largest suppliers of photo equipment and their catalog has pretty much become the de facto price list standard for the world.

I would also check with Samy's Camera from the Los Angeles area. They are the West Coast equivalent to B&H.

The 30D is a great choice and these two stores probably sell the 30D bundled with a lens. Good luck.

Thanks for the help nick. this is indeed a very useful forum.

HI. i have one question pls. i want to have a canon eos 30D but then i have a friend who told me that it's the equivalent of a nikon D50? is this true? because if it is, i'd prefer nikon because of its price, 50% cheaper than the canon 30D.

Nope not true :)

This post is not to start a Canon versus Nikon flame war but Marton is correct and your friend is not. The D50 is Nikon's entry-level DSLR and CANNOT be compared to the Canon 30D. Miles apart Frances. The D70 is closer but still not at the 30D level.

I agree with Marton and Gabriel, Frances, its great to have forums like these where you get good advice..and of course as Pilar said read, read, read..
Nothing could fuel your interest for photography than your love for it..
Good luck and happy shooting...:)

Canon 30d is a great camera. If you are interested in it, I suggest you try it out (maybe you have a friend who has one?) Also try the Nikon camera you are intersted in, look at the features, read about the camera reviews and decide which one is really for you. Take your time making your decision since it will be your tool or your baby (depending how it "controls" you:D ).

ei sorry bowt this dumb question:Dum: but i just want to know the advantages of having a 20d to a 30d,,, 30d is canon's latest dslr and 20d ( correct me if i'm wrong ) was released before 350d.. i'm thinking of upgrading my camera from 350d to 20d but don't know if i should get the 30d,, any advice would be greatly appreciated,, :D

Hi! I'm kind of a 'green-apple' here but I really like to post my 'amateur' shots (I used to use a pro-consumer quasi-SLR cam) and try to join contests... officemates encouraged me to join but I haven't tried it especially with the pros! I've read that you are accepting entries for September? May I ask some few queries?
1. Is there a limit on the number of entries to submit?
2. I've read that it should be in raw then to convert in TIFF using Photoshop?
3. How large (or small) should the image be?
4. Should we submit the photos in CD? Where should we bring it?
5. For september, are B&W shots acceptable?

Sorry for the questions... I'm just sooooo interested after our first session with Sir Jay today. I do take photos (since it's in line with my work) but for event documentation purposes, most of the time.

Thank you, thank you..Ü

Hi, am really a newbie on photography and would like to learn.
What kind of camera should i buy - the conventional one or the more updated one? I really would like to start learning on the basics - is it ok to buy second hand slr cameras such as a canon av or a canon eos 1000? since camera's prices are expensive, i would like to start with a second hand first and get the feel of it before investing into a newer model.

any suggestions on what slr camera to buy? i mentioned the two models of canon above coz i can't decide which one to buy (there's an offer kse of this kind, second hand, which suits my budget for now)? canon av or canon eos 1000.

thanks.

do the more experienced members of this group visit this thread? IMO they should, to answer queries (no matter how elementary these may seem to them) from beginners like me. beginners answering one another's questions would be like the blind leading the blind. just a thought though.

Hi Guys,

Based on the on-going 50% sale right now with a certain brand that I will not even mention due to some brand loyalty among photographers, I simply would like to point out the following:

1. It is not really cheap to buy 2nd hand cameras because you have to consider the maintenance cost. If you prefer to buy a pre-owned unit, you should know the history of the camera or the person selling it. It is not advisable to buy the problem of other people.

2. New models are being released every six (6) months so prices of earlier models are going down. Both digital and film-based SLRs are on sale right now.

3. Try both brands as what Pilar said and see for yourself which is more convenient for you to handle and user-friendly.

4. 2nd hand units don't carry a warranty but new ones do. Even though there is lack of service centers for some brands, try to purchase one that is known to be reliable.

5. Everyone started out as a hobbyist. It's better to learn everyday from your experience
instead of believing that you know everything. The thirst for knowledge leads to wisdom.

That's all. For all of those interested to learn more about the skills, business side and techniques, I highly recommend beginners to attend the WPPP Photo Congress scheduled on October 06-09, 2006 at SM Mega Trade Hall. You can visit the official website @ www.photocongress.com.ph (http://www.photocongress.com.ph) for more details. Until then. Happy Shooting.

Guess, you are right Raul.

thanks for the info, Sir Eric, will consider those when i buy my camera.

BTW, for beginners like me, there is a photography 1 lessons in Silverlens in Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati this coming October to November and is scheduled after office hours, i think. When i get the info, will post it here also. Meron din Photoshop 1 lessons.

But first, have to buy a camera first. he he

Sir Eric, where is the 50% discount on cameras? In Hidalgo ba? Hope you could inform us.
thanks again.

Hi Guys,

First of all, I am not promoting the company or the brand. I am just answering the question and request from the forum. I would also like to help you guys starting in Photography. Here it is: The company offering between 30 to 50% Sale on digital and film-based cameras is Columbia Digital Sales. It is the distributor of Nikon SLR cameras. You can buy the cameras from the malls like Glorietta and SM Megamall. The dealers in Hidalgo are also selling items on sale but I suggest you call them first and order since it is selling like hotcakes and you have to make sure that it is covered by the local warranty.

Canon on the other hand launched yesterday evening the 400D. Check also if the prices of their cameras went down or not but based on experience and research, Nikon cameras are more affordable and reliable. It is also user-friendly but then again you have the final decision which is more comfortable for you to use. I don't want to start any tug-of-war between the two (2) brands, just want to help beginners since I also started as one of you guys and I understand what you are going through. That's all. Happy Shopping and Shooting to all of you.

Hi, this is the info for the Photography 1 and Photoshop 1 Seminars of Silverlens Gallery 2 :

Photography 1 :
Session 1: October 11, 18, 25, November 8 & 17 by J. Espiritu
Session 2: October 14, 21, 28, November 11 & 17 by I. Lorenzo
Time: Wednesdays at 7 - 9 pm/ Saturdays at 10 - 12nn
Fee: Php6,500 or Php6,800 (the printout was too malabo for my eyes, sorry ha)

Photoshop 1:
Session 1: October 12, 19, 28, November 9 by Jason Tablante
Time: Thursdays at 7-9pm
Fee: Php8,500

Venue: Silverlens Gallery 2, 2320 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati
Phone: 816-0044

FYI.

Who are going kaya?

Sir Eric, thanks for the info. I hope i could buy na my camera and start shooting. Hay, i really can't make up my mind what to buy - hirap pala nito. he he

One mistake I made as a beginner was I was more concern on what camera body to buy rather than the lenses. Camera bodies will come and go but a good lens will last you a very long time.

Sir Nick,

Amen to that! Very well said.

imho, you can buy a mint condition dslr. resale value is the same when you buy brand new body. And then invest on the glasses. :D

planning to purchase an S3is... anu ba purpose ng mga accessories nya like filter, lens hood, wide angle converter, tele converter

Hello Timothy:

ok

filter:
you need a polarizer filter, preferably a good brand. If i were I would go for a multicoated one. A polarizer removes glare from glass and water, and also makes the sky appear to have better contrast (clouds will show). A multicoated filter removes extra flare coming to the lens, so you could most probably do away with using a lens hood. Another good filter is a neutral density filter. This is for taking shots of flowing river, and waterfalls as it prevents some excessive light from entering the lens, allowing you to take long exposure daylight shots.


wide angle converter: necessary for tight places, and for group photos. It is a must for scenic shots.

tele converter: additional telescoping action. For good bokeh or blurred background or taking farther shots

planning to purchase an S3is... anu ba purpose ng mga accessories nya like filter, lens hood, wide angle converter, tele converter
If you need to do some pro stuff with your s3is like weddings, advertising, and fashion, these come in handy.

My 2 cents.

Do they still sell the Nikon F5? 50% discount for this cam would really be a very good buy! :)

Hi Guys,

First of all, I am not promoting the company or the brand. I am just answering the question and request from the forum. I would also like to help you guys starting in Photography. Here it is: The company offering between 30 to 50% Sale on digital and film-based cameras is Columbia Digital Sales. It is the distributor of Nikon SLR cameras. You can buy the cameras from the malls like Glorietta and SM Megamall. The dealers in Hidalgo are also selling items on sale but I suggest you call them first and order since it is selling like hotcakes and you have to make sure that it is covered by the local warranty.

Canon on the other hand launched yesterday evening the 400D. Check also if the prices of their cameras went down or not but based on experience and research, Nikon cameras are more affordable and reliable. It is also user-friendly but then again you have the final decision which is more comfortable for you to use. I don't want to start any tug-of-war between the two (2) brands, just want to help beginners since I also started as one of you guys and I understand what you are going through. That's all. Happy Shopping and Shooting to all of you.