Learning to Photograph

[Budhacop]

Santa brought me a Reefmaster Professional Set and i'm excited about using it but before I dive in and start snapping pictures I wanted to get an idea of how to take pictures. I know a class is the best but with my schedule ther are none available yet. My question is, are there any books that might help me to learn something until the class is available?

thanks
Budhacop

 

[Dee]

There are several books that will help you but one of the easiest to understand 'lessons' I have found is written by Dave Read, aka drdread on message boards. He has an excellent website where he has written the equivolent to photography 101 for Dummies! Click here to find it.

You'll learn the basics, not necessarily how to use a camera.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Church is another good source of info. Though I believe they concentrate on the nikonos series. It is still a valuable well of info.

Ed

 

[socaldiver]

Most LDS will also have books or literature you can read. I also have the Reefmaster and it does a decent job for non professionals. One thing I learned the hard way was to take my time to frame the picture properly (and I still have problems with this) and to also make sure that when you are using the sportfinder to "frame" your shot make sure you put the center of your subject at the bottom of the sportfinder. There is a lens refraction (?) because of it' location on the top of the housing versus where the actual lens is located.

 

[FloridaDiver]

Jim Church's Essential Guide To Compostition is an excellent guide that helped me out. Also, Marty Snyderman's online course (at martysnyderman.com) is a great online class for new U/W Photographers.