Seriously looking into photography

[Sharon]

So I've even joined a photography forum and trying to absorb what I can about the photography world as far as techniques and such. I'm still trying to get my head around the photography lingo. It's pretty amazing the type of photographs people are able to capture I really want to learn more about how to take GREAT shots. My main focus I want to learn to capture are landscapes. It's almost embarrassing trying to chime in on what they call "amateurs" photographs because to me they look PROFESSIONAL - I get all gitty when I'm able to find an honest and critical yet helpful advice from others.

[bennie]

I've never really tried photography, although I used to enjoy just taking random pictures of things.

[Dan]

The best thing you can do when it comes to photography business is to have extremely high standards for yourself. Also learn to take your photos as fast as possible, 2 seconds is all the time you should need to point, click, and have a good picture. This skill is invaluable if you're spending all day taking photos at an event or something.

My father tells me this stuff because he learned photography through the navy and works professionally taking pictures of military personnel, conventions and equipment. He's probably the most talented guy I've ever met with photography and I can give you honest feedback if you'd like, I see a lot of amateur photos on the internet that receive a lot of praise but in reality they could be a lot better.

Also on another note: Digital photography is very convenient and it's awesome. But if you end up using film canisters and getting pictures developed manually, you'll notice an extra something special in your work. If you ever end up working in a dark room developing your own photos with the chemicals and negatives, you'll find that's actually quite fun too.

[Sharon]

I know in order to gain experience I just need to dive into it and just start learning. You made some excellent points there Dan thank you. Have you got some photographs that you've taken yourself as well?

[Dan]

Nope the only projects I've ever done with photography were done at art camp lol
 I'm nothing more than a silly amateur with a smart phone ^^'

[jasony]

Photography is quite tough cause even though I make good pics of nature, I can't really capture the look I really want of big things - such as mountains from a distance. In other words, there seems to more to it than just pointing the cell phone. I think it might require an actual camera or some advanced cell phone. Well, some of my "big nature pics" aren't that bad, but targets seem smaller on photo than what I see with my eye.

[demonskeith]

Takes time and patience and a lot of ways to do it, back in high school I took photographs with a Pringles can