I picked the wrong hobby

[nutxo]

I picked the wrong hobby, I blew 400 bucks on a camera and Im not enjoying myself!

 

[bromide]

heh, at least you didnt blow $401


pics?

edit: i have found that usually on ebay you can get your money back fairly easily- unless of course you got ripped off to begin with.

 

[inzane123]

take the camera to a party with you. You would be surprised to see how many tops go up when there is a digi cam present.

 

[Joves]

Nutxo why exactly is it, that photography isnt enjoyable.
Sounds like you may be expecting everything to be to perfect. The learning curve in this hobby is perpetual if you want to be good at it. I learn new things everyday.

 

[bromide]

yeah, i just got a new 35mm camera a couple weeks ago, shoot every chance i can get...can only learn through trial and error....i think i am going to keep a journal of all my shots and settings, that way i know what i did where, i dont have all those exif things stored in my camera like those with digital.

 

[JHefile]

I missed it...what camera did you get? I just got my first too and there is a learning curve to get the A++ pictures. The only advice I can offer you is to suggest you take a few hours and drive somewhere, whether it's in the city where you'd least ever go, or somewhere in the country and just snap away trying out all the settings. That's what I do now but my problem is like mentioned in this post by bromide I too need to keep a journal because you always forget what setting you had for each pic. And also carry the camera with you everywhere, cause when you see something interesting it's there and you'll be happy then trust me.

 

[blackedge]

As echoed by others, what don't you enjoy about it? I've been a rank amateur for ... wow, somewhere around 8 years now. I haven't shot film in a long time, but I do miss it. And now I've got a decent digital with manual functions so I'm happy. However, there's a learning curve, as also mentioned. You can't just expect to buy a nice camera, and instantly go out and take great pics. Believe me, if it worked that way, we'd all have Pulitzer prize winning photos. (I think that's the Pulitzer, I can't keep track any more.)

Also as stated, shoot lots and lots. With a digital, that's a lot easier to do if you're on a budget. Film yields better results IMHO. One thing I try to do before I even start looking through the viewfinder (or LCD) is to frame it in my mind. It helps sometimes.

But, practice, practice, practice. That's what it takes. It is an enjoyable hobby, but you have to plan on learning. And it helps to learn the basics too. I wasn't sure I'd like it when I took my photography courses back in high school, but it turns out I loved it.

Give it a chance... You might change your mind.

 

[nutxo]

I got an a80. I ts prolly the weather, everythign is so gray all the thime every pic I take is depressing.

Oh well. Thanks for the support

 

[bromide]

yeah, its not so bright these days, so most of the pictures i have been taking are night shots.

 

[Sean]

Originally posted by nutxo
I got an a80. I ts prolly the weather, everythign is so gray all the thime every pic I take is depressing.

Oh well. Thanks for the support

Two hints for you my HardForum chum. When you shoot outdoors in the winter METER THE SKY!!! The recompose, and shoot.

If you have a cloudy day meter a grey card, and then recompose and shoot.

I don't have an A80, so I don't know how to AE (Exposure Lock) the camera, but check your manual. Point it at a blue sky (or mostly blue) and Exposure lock it, then point at your 'scene' and focus and shoot. Same goes for the gray card, exposure lock on the grey card, the recompose and shoot.

Remember EXPOSURE and LIGHT are the very basics of photography, and yes your pictures will look like ass if you don't take these two little components into consideration.

I will try to peak at the A80 manual, and get back too you in a few moments.

Cheers,

 

[Sean]

Originally posted by bromide
yeah, i just got a new 35mm camera a couple weeks ago, shoot every chance i can get...can only learn through trial and error....i think i am going to keep a journal of all my shots and settings, that way i know what i did where, i dont have all those exif things stored in my camera like those with digital.

Bromide!

Invest in a small note pad, and learn a short hand, and record them your self. You only need 4 things.

1. Apature (like 1.8, 2.5, 4, 5.6 etc)
2. Shutter Speed (1/250, 1/30, 1, 2, Bulb)
3. Focal Lenght (28mm, 50mm, 105mm etc).
4. Conditions (Flash, indoors, outdoors, sunny, cloudy, windy, rain, snow, frogs, cats).
5. Oh sorry 5 things - SHOT NUMBER!!!!

Then make a header for that roll (a number like ROLL 1, or the Date and roll number FEB 16/04 R1).

Then when you are done with the roll, mark on it with a perm market that same info FEB 16/04 R1.

thats what I did. Went through 4 little 200 page note books. I did put a little more information on it as I got better. Hope that helps.

Cheers,

 

[Sean]

Nutxo,

No AE lock on the A80, BUT, if here are some alternative methods.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=7205007

Cheers,

 

[bromide]

Originally posted by Eigtball
Bromide!

Invest in a small note pad, and learn a short hand, and record them your self. You only need 4 things.

1. Apature (like 1.8, 2.5, 4, 5.6 etc)
2. Shutter Speed (1/250, 1/30, 1, 2, Bulb)
3. Focal Lenght (28mm, 50mm, 105mm etc).
4. Conditions (Flash, indoors, outdoors, sunny, cloudy, windy, rain, snow, frogs, cats).
5. Oh sorry 5 things - SHOT NUMBER!!!!

Then make a header for that roll (a number like ROLL 1, or the Date and roll number FEB 16/04 R1).

Then when you are done with the roll, mark on it with a perm market that same info FEB 16/04 R1.

thats what I did. Went through 4 little 200 page note books. I did put a little more information on it as I got better. Hope that helps.

Cheers,

yeah, i was thinking a little notepad would be perfect, i have one laying around that would be perfect because it fits in my camera case.

 

[Simon_Howes]

He's using a digital camera, he can just look at the EXIF that the camera creates to get the info.

 

[bromide]

Originally posted by Simon_Howes
He's using a digital camera, he can just look at the EXIF that the camera creates to get the info.

oh really? we were totally unaware of that, i mean seriously WOW. oh- and by the way- next time feel free to read the thread

i think i am going to keep a journal of all my shots and settings, that way i know what i did where, i dont have all those exif things stored in my camera like those with digital.