Comments on: Teaching yourself photography

By: floris

floris — Sat, 31 May 2008 09:14:16 +0000

funny, i used to imaging the same thing as you do .after i read many many Photo, i fond ,as a photography,every one has his or her own way and the shoot so many Beautiful pictures.so i think nobody can really tell you how to do . but we can study their technology,and just take Photo like a child. i Collected all photography’s website from internet and magazine or school library. till now ,this is my only way to study from other photography. nice to meet you ,iam a chinese girl who is not good at english!

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:20:18 +0000

Teaching yourself is certainly fulfilling, yet can be lonely at times too. For photography, I’m in the same boat, armed with the internet, libraries, and the book store for all the material I can get my hands on. It would be nice to have a mentor to go out shooting with though — that’s for sure.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:59:20 +0000

As a new photographer lesson #4 is a tough one for me. It is really hard to take negative feedback without a reason way which I have seen on DeviantArt. It would be OK if they pointed out something I did wrong and then give me advise to help me fix he problem. That is the only way you are going to get better is by making mistakes and learn from them.
I really like your advise. Thanks for the tips.

By: Stacey Huston

Stacey Huston — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:29:55 +0000

Great post. but I do have one thing to add. you don’t have to be a young person LOL! I have been teaching myself photography, and though I am not OLD, I am not all that young anymore either :’)
I have been looking for a mentor, and will continue to do so, but will keep taking photos and reading helpful sites like yours and learning by trial and error.. thanks for sharing your knowledge

By: Brandt

Brandt — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:30:12 +0000

I too taught myself photography and am doing pretty well (I think so anyways). I don’t have a best friend helping me along the way (which after reading this I hope to change). I found all my inspiration from the internet, as Elisa did, but mainly with subject material. I read everything I could find that teaches, weather it be “Tips” or online free “courses”. I also look through as many competitions as I can looking at exposure times, times of day, apperature, lens etc. I have found them great while sitting at a computer but still find myself trying 4 or 5 other things for each shot (if able).
I have also found that starting with auto on the camera to let it set the apperature and shutter a good start and then “play” from there to create some great photos (sometimes, I like to refer to them as atrworks). The greatest thing I find with cyberspace is I can look through hundreds of photos, and see some and think to myself… “self, Ive seen something very similar, I should see what I can do with that.” This site has also inspired pictures as such.

By: Chaval

Chaval — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:20:08 +0000

This is my learning method too… My problem is that I choose too many different inspirations at the same time :)

Eventually I change some technique from the photos I see, making it a little more original.

By: UncleSam

UncleSam — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:45:01 +0000

Thanks for good advice. Usually the basic recommendation sound like “Learn from the great”, but no one ever said how it can be done, so thanks for the recipe.

By: Van

Van — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:35:28 +0000

Growing up in the ’70’s and 80’s I garnered much of my formal photography education reading. To this day self education is still one of the best tools in a photographers kit. Learn your equipment. Experiment with lighting. Never leave home without your camera.

The article provides excellent insight to develop a good photography foundation.

By: Fort Myers Photographer

Fort Myers Photographer — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:29:38 +0000

Fantastic article! Even if you are not teaching yourself photography from the start. Places like this and other great sites can provide new ideas for even professional photographers. There is always something new that you can learn or share with someone else.

By: Daniel Condurachi

Daniel Condurachi — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:58:13 +0000

Thank you for your advice and the path to follow.

The article is easy to read and understand and offers a good perspective on going one step further

By: Gavin

Gavin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:50:35 +0000

Your website has always been an inspiration to me. My high school only offers one photography course, and after that, you’re on your own. The majority of photographic knowledge I possess comes from your site. Thank you!