Starting out!

l3LoWnA

Hi!

I was just wondering how any of ye started out? I mean, if there are professional photographes amongst us. I am 26 now and have had a dream, since I was a teen of being a photographer. I always have camera in hand and have realised now that I can go and follow my dream rather than wasting away in the Civil Service, not having tried anything that I actually wanted to do!

I've never owned a "proper" camera though, just regular compact digital cameras and was wondering should I go out and buy myself a good camera and software to match before i think about doing a course? Any good courses out there for beginners?

What's the best approach? Do I need a PC with lots of memory? What are the initial steps I must take to aquire some sort of skill with handling a quality camera and getting good pictures?

Any advice appreciated. I really want to go for this. Even if a career doesn't come of it, at least I will have tried! I'd love to be a studio photographer though, have my own little studio and perhaps do protraits and/or weddings etc....

Borderfox

Maybe try doing some work at weekends, practice taking portraits. Pity your not in dublin for tomorrows talk in DCU. Dont worry about the pc for the moment try to get yourself a good camera to start off with and go on from there.

shepthedog

Just get out there and start taking some shots, start showing them to people, putting then up here for comments and feedback and you will learn.. Also open a flickr or pix.ie account and put your photos up there for people to look at..
check out www.digitalbeginners.ie for courses.. But the basic advice is to get out taking some pics..
Perhaps get yourself a starter DSLR like a canon 400d or nikon d40 and go from there
You will learn tonnes just by reading boards.
Do no harm to buy some photography magazines for getting ideas about peoples style and it will help you develop your own.. Best of luck and enjoy yourself!!

l3LoWnA

Thanks guys - so it's a matter of grabbing the bull by the horns and just going for it basically, see if I have it in me!

nilhg

l3LoWnA wrote: »

Thanks guys - so it's a matter of grabbing the bull by the horns and just going for it basically, see if I have it in me!

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan, don't give up the day job just yet though, something is going to have to pay for all the gear.;)

qwertz

What talks in DCU? Thanks!

Borderfox wrote: »

Maybe try doing some work at weekends, practice taking portraits. Pity your not in dublin for tomorrows talk in DCU. Dont worry about the pc for the moment try to get yourself a good camera to start off with and go on from there.

l3LoWnA

nilhg wrote: »

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan, don't give up the day job just yet though, something is going to have to pay for all the gear.;)

OH dear god no, I'd only ever give up the day job if I proved to be an exceptional photographer and entrepeneur......a long way off yet I'd imagine

Cabaal

l3LoWnA, as mentioned get yourself a good starter DSLR something like a EOS 400D, invest in some good lens and start shooting.

In relation to doing studio stuff, might be no harm taking a half day course as it'll give you an idea of what its like, http://www.digitalbeginners.ie/studiotaster.htm

Hell you can even do the studio course without buying your own camera as they'll supply you with one if needed according to the website