Grimsby Guy (UK) looking for Help and Advise

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:37 am

Hi there all, im another one of those people that is looking for someone who could spare a bit of time to assist me with the advanced functions and getting the best out of my equipment.

I love photography and it is very depressing to get home and find you have 3 - 4 nice shots out of hundreds!!!

Im hoping some kind soul locally would be willing to give some guidance. Reading book after book doesnt help me too much as im more of a hands on person..

Anyone out there at all?

Rob

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:15 am

Hiya Rob,

Could I suggest that you try and do the Photo Assignments in the said named forum, this will give you the basics....though this part of the forum seems to in hibernation I would suggest that you post your results onto the 'Photo Critiques' section of the forum where the kind people who frequent there will give you advice on your shots.

Hope that this is some help.

Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 350 Location: Ontario, Canada

Depending on subject matter and final destination my acceptable shots range from 1 in thousands to 1 in 2. For example, trying to get that just right bird shot might be one in several hundreds but to cover a dance recital and get 1 in 2 acceptable for a slide show is suprising to myself but in that same group of 2900 dance recital images I only have 2 that I think are a "good" or better than average. My definition of "good" or "nice" means "average ++" of my shots compared to those of equal or somewhat better talent.

What I'm trying to say is, don't be discouraged by getting only 3 or 4 shots in hundreds but keep you standards high and shoot for that great, once in a life time shot.

Also, Trevor has given you some good advice here.

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:27 am

Yeah i understand what your saying and the idea of DIY and keep going out there and taking shot after shot is what i have been doing, i just think to sit down with someone who "Knows" what they are doing would be very advantagous.

Assignments are also a good idea i agree.

im not trying to be funny as your advice is very much appreciated, but im after what i posted if someone is willing and has the time.

im not saying i want to be baby sat and have my hand held here, just a friendly chat and a bit of guidance here and there, then i will be off doing all of the above with a littel more confidence in what i am doing.

cheers

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:57 am

Talisman,

It would help if we knew where you think you are falling short. Is it in exposure? DOF? Composition? All of the above? What are you shooting subject-wise? Camera/Lens-wise?

Short of someone being there in person this forum can offer lots of help/advice if you use it properly. One way is to post on the critique area with specific question about your images like 'why was the exposure off', or 'could this be cropped/composed better and why'.

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:39 pm

I know you say you're not a reading person but the tutorials in my signature might help. There written for easy understanding.