Girl on Film
Joelle said at some point on July 12, 2007
I think I need to take a photography class. I am beginning to feel frustrated with my new camera, though it’s not the camera’s fault — it’s mine. I’m sure that will send up a resounding gasp and a bunch of “god, she gets a camera for free and she has the nerve to bitch about it?!"-type responses, but I was asked to be straightforward with my experiences, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m not ungrateful, I’m honest.
So far, I’m pretty amazed by this camera. It takes gorgeous photos overall, but I find it limiting in many ways — mostly because I don’t know how to use all the features and am not patient enough to figure it out. The booklet seems daunting and I’m more of a hands-on learner. There are so many incredible photographs taken with D80’s and even within the Picture This project pool. I want to be able to do that! Hence, I think I should take a class.
I feel a little hindered by the sheer size of the camera. I’m just not accustomed to it yet. I love how it looks and how the shutter sound makes me feel like I’m doing something important. But, with my point and click Sony camera, I was able to snap something at a moment’s notice. I could just whip it out and get the shot. Now I feel as though if I want to take a photo of anything, I have to make sure I’ve got the lens cap off, I’ve got it on the right setting, I assess the light, adjust, focus more (if it doesn’t auto-focus for whatever reason) and then try to get the shot. Usually whatever it is I was trying to take a photo of is either long gone by then or it comes out blurry because all the settings are starting to feel the same to me now. I’m having trouble figuring out the subtle nuances of each setting. I thought I had them down, but sometimes they feel so similar, I can’t tell what I’m doing wrong.
This is the part where avid photographers tell me to get a tripod. And I want one, I do. Of course, as Kathy pointed out this morning, “You don’t want to carry about your camera, but you’re going to schlep a tripod now, too?” But that’s not it at all. I DO want to carry my camera and would schlep a tripod! I just think I would feel more inclined to do so if I wasn’t worried every second of something happening to it (since it’s not technically mine) and/or I felt like the shots I took were worth all the effort.
I’m having some amateur photography ennui right now, can you tell? I want a new creative outlet and think I have an eye for this, but when you fill up a 1 GB flashcard and only one decent photo comes out of it, it’s a bit discouraging. Maybe it’s just how photography works. Or, maybe that’s just how discovering a new hobby works. It’s been a long time since I really tried anything to the point of wanting to invest the time to become good at it. Whatever it is, a class certainly couldn’t hurt.
Peter said, “Less flowers, more people!” Yeah, well, flowers don’t move, buddy. Call me in a month when I know my aperture from my ass and then we’ll talk portraits.
Moxie Design Studios™
from Vancouver, BC
I recently got loaned a D80 and before I read the manual, I had quite crappy pictures. After I went through it, I got better shots. When using SLRs, I always get the best shots in the Manual setting. Also, for anything dark or indoors, the tripod is godsend.
I took a short beginner’s photography course 2 years ago and I must say it helped me a lot. The basics will help you with any SLR you use. It will also teach you how to frame shots and help reduce camera shake while taking the shot.
Good luck with the D80. I absolutely love it and I’m more prone to buy it than an iPhone now.
from SD CA (this week) • Cocktail: Red Headed Slut
just take the same photos you would have with your point and shoot. you’ve got to work up to the night photography.
it will help you to take a class. i’m probably going to get a canon digital rebel soon, so i’d totally take a class with you!
Plus, professional photographers takes lots and lots and LOTS of pictures, and only a few turn out to be “holy shit, that’s a GREAT photo!” quality.
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
@Joy: Thanks for the tips.
I get some good shots, I think, but the majority are crappy. I went out today and tooka bunch more so we’ll see what happens. 
@Deltus: This is true. I keep trying to remember that. I just really have no idea what I’m doing. lol.
@chickrawker: you’re on!
from earth
you might want to take a look at the gorillapod by joby. it’s a neat lil tripod, that will bend around things so you don’t always need a flat surface. they have several sizes, so i’m sure you’re camera isn’t TOO big.
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
@luka: thanks! I actually just bought one this morning. hee!
from Overland Park, KS
I have a photog blog linked on my blog, and the guy takes phenomenal pics. I’m sure he’d be willing to give some tips, if you had the time to get in touch with him.
But a class would probably be a lot of fun as well. I always wanted to take a photography class, but I don’t have the big nifty camera dealio going on. Maybe next year, after things settle down a bit around our homestead…
The best and most important advice given to me by my photography teacher was this: The secret to great photography is to take tons of shots.
There’s more to it, of course, but just taking tons of shots will 1) increase your chances of getting shots you like and 2) will allow you to get more comfortable with the camera. When I went to El Salvador on my last vacation I took 900 photos, only sixty of which made it onto my site. Thank goodness for digital!
I took a digital photography class through my local community college last year when I got my Rebel. What I found frustrating is that the instructor and other students were focused on learning how to use PhotoShop instead of learning to take pictures. I found that the more I took pictures with my Rebel the better I get.
One thing that I learned is to rent lenses before buying them. Saves you a ton of dough and gives you time to practice with the lens before you commit to buying. Also this website is a great resource, http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp.
Have fun with your new camera!
Don’t feel bad! SLRs are complicated. I took a photography class back in high school using an old school film SLR and I was still pretty lost when I bought my dSLR. You do have a great eye, and like anything else the technical aspect will come with time and practice. I feel like my photos have improved a great deal from when I bought my camera almost a year ago. Give it time
As far as schlepping equipment around, I solve that problem by using both a dSLR and a point n’ shoot. Sometimes I just don’t feel like hauling around all that expensive, bulky equipment so I take along my lil point n’ shoot that fits in my purse. Other times I’ll plan a trip ahead of time, pack up my camera backpack with lenses, camera and tripod, and make a day of it. And like Deltus pointed out, even pros don’t keep every shot. It’s the beauty of digital! You can feel free to experiment because it’s not like the extra photos cost you anything. I shot about 50 photos the other day while trying something new and ended up with about 5 or 6 I liked.
Oh, and as far as worrying about something happening to it… if you have renter’s insurance, check your policy. Our policy covered camera equipment up to $1000 I think. I ended up adding a rider to cover my equipment since it’s worth a lot more than that, but the coverage is relatively cheap and you’d be amazed the peace of mind it brings!
Joelle,
Thanks for this post because it reflects my reservations of why a “big girl camera” scares me. Of course, I still want one. But yeah.
I’m days late as usual. There are some online courses that you can try. I’m a hands on learner myself, so I understand your frustration. The online courses that appeal to me are the ones that give you an assignment and then critque your work and help you learn how to correct the things you don’t like, etc. If you would like links, let me know.