Wonderful Photography Tutorial
Lately I have found something that I really loved. When you read a photography tutorial, don’t you have a feeling that the author is treating you like he knows everything and what he says is the only truth in this world? And beside it all boooooring!
So saying this, look what I’ve found, read this I tell ya, it’s funny, and helps to see photography job in a bit different way, and of course teaches you something! :)
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/17/10-easy-steps-to-advanced-photography-skills/
Check this and tell me what do you think! :)
KLiu
I’m game to read anything-
I don’t have a book store here to go browse.-I don’t completely agree with the DSLR. Some of my own favorites I’ve taken were from before I had the DSLR-So, a couple thoughts
and I’ve missed plenty of shots when I messed up the technical of the camera.
-I want to learn HDR, but don’t like too much of it. What has he taken that isn’t HDR, would love to see them.—I don’t have photography courses in English here, but a neighbor teaches drawing and oil painting, so I signed up for the oil painting class. Never had any recognizable talent for painting or drawing, but I’m actually improving and the paintings are not too bad. I do also think it has improved my eye for photos and how I look at them when editing in photoshop.
seawhisper replied
Well to be 100% honest I too don’t agree with his point of view on DSLR. I do agree however that they allow photographer to do so much more then compact cameras. Still compact cameras have many pluses too. For example you can take such a camera virtually everywhere and it doesn’t make any sound. When I work for the theatre and have a good light on the show I sometimes choose a compact camera exactly because it’s silent. :)
As for the HDR I think many people simply don’t know this technique quite well so in most cases their work turns out to be a psychedelic monsters. You can see mine HDR – it’s much from perfection and it too have this silly colourful effect.
Now when you see a good HDR you usually don’t know it’s HDR at all. ;-)
I really would like to draw. I think I got some talent, I had highest notes in college in my group BUT I have one skill that prevents me from drawing. I’m always not satisfied with the results. :
P And this makes me frustrate and stress so I hardly ever draw. :)richardseah
Firstly, THANKS for the recommendation :-)
I didn’t read all of it. Sorry he could not sustain my interest. But he does write with an attitude, making strong and sometimes disagreeable statements, eg about dslr. So at least he is not boring.
The bottom line for me is / bottom lines for me are… this:
1. I find most of his images too unreal. They are immediately striking, but have no long term appeal, at least not for me. My feeling is that people resort to special effects like HDR when they cannot create GREAT BUT ORDINARY PHOTOS.
2. I find his recommendations nothing special. eg it is all too easy to say a tripod is “necessary” for serious photography. But I would rather read about how to achieve “tripod results” without using one. That, to me, is more refreshing. He basically states the usual things in a slightly unusual way, that’s all.
3. I lost interest when I looked at his equipment recommendations – Nikon D40 for budget, D700 for serious. Again, this is too unimaginative for me. He does not even discuss merits of Nikon vs Canon.
And in my not so humble opinion, the one camera that can suit budget to serious photographers is the one I use – Fuji S5 Pro. Because of recent sharp price drops, it now costs about USD 700 for the body, yet it is good enough for some really serious photography.
So… despite his dare to be different style of writing, I find him saying very ordinary things.
BUT… I do really appreciate you sharing this :-) It is at least something different.
seawhisper replied
Well of course these are quite usual advices, but if you ask me I will tell you too, that nothing can do as much good as a good tripod. :-)
As for the equipment it’s true that we choose what we can afford but I believe that with every camera you do wonderful photography. It’s just a matter of knowing one limitations and one possibilities.
I must say that most of his works are to me too a bit over processed. I like I said earlier – good HDR is when you don’t know it is HDR at all. It’s only a technique that allows a photo to be more adjusted to what human eye see and I must say that doing it correctly needs A LOT of skills. ;-)
richardseah
Oops! I hope he is not a Red Bubbler…
On learning to draw… Yes, it is possible. I used to cry during art class in primary school but at about age 40, I learned to draw by reading the book, Drawing with the Right Side of the Brain.
Basic idea is that drawing is not about drawing but about seeing. Force yourself to see with Right Brain
- eg by turning a picture upside down, so that it looks “illogica” and the Left Brain gives up -and you will be able to draw.It is so simple. Just turn an image upside down and copy it. Guaranteed fairly good results. You can even use this technique to forge signatures! LOL!
seawhisper replied
Well I guess so, these are perception psychology basics, but like I said – here the problem isn’t about drawing, no matter how good it will turn out, it will not satisfy me – it’s about me I guess. It’s like even if it looks good, then I think it’s a kitsch and so on. ;)
richardseah
Agree 100 percent that his images are way over-processed.
Even Kliu above says: What has he taken that isn’t HDR, would love to see them.
Anyway, this is interesting discussion. If only we are so frank about each other’s photos here on Red Bubble or other sites.
Gracey
The same can be said for a DSLR. I have 3 and the sound function can be turned off on all of them. Removing the shutter noise is helpful shooting wildlife. My daughter has a P&S that makes more noise than my cameras. What camera you choose should be based on your needs though, and not what someone else tells you you need.
seawhisper replied
Hm? How can you remove the shutter noise? And the sound of flapping mirror?
Gracey
In the menus there’s an option to shut off the sound. “Flapping mirror?” I don’t know about others but mine are quiet enough not to disturb wildlife, so it seems quiet enough to me.
seawhisper replied
But these are electronic sounds. I mean the mechanical ones that DSLR camera does. Try doing the same thing in huge auditorium. When I do it in my theatre it makes echo. ;-)
evemunich
The article was interesting (from the point of view of an amateur). But more interesting are the comments to this journal entry. Thanks everyone. Eve