How to start learning photography?
First of all, it is essential to develop an interest in photography. Interest is the most important driving force; the stronger your interest, the greater your motivation and, consequently, the more you will gain from photography. Of course, the vast majority of readers who have come to the photography network must already be interested in photography, so regarding this point, I want to say: stick with your interest, and you will reap even more rewards.
Next, someone might ask: Do I need to buy a camera? What kind of camera should I buy? Regarding this question, I once mentioned in a forum that you don't necessarily have to buy a camera right away. You can start by enjoying "viewing" beautiful images. I recommend looking at finely printed albums, whether they depict landscapes or the various people and things on the street. Since you are interested in and feel connected to these images, you want to capture them using a camera. Is that not correct?
The second step for beginners in photography is equipment.
So, recognize this fact: for a photography enthusiast, a camera is just a "tool." Of course, for many people, a camera is also a collectible item, and some enthusiasts are more interested in the equipment itself than in photography. Therefore! First, buy a camera with basic functions (most cameras today meet this condition), then temporarily focus on the equipment. Of course, my meaning is that if you truly want to gain something from photography, getting familiar with your tool is absolutely necessary, and you should learn how to operate it step by step. Spend some time going out to the streets, gardens, and fields to find inspiration. Often, the most ordinary things photographed turn out to be the most genuine. We often say, "The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed in wartime." (Don't ask what the camera can do for you; ask what you can do for the camera.) After becoming familiar with your tool, when it comes time to use it, you won't panic and ruin important moments that cannot be recreated.
The quality of equipment is relative, not absolute. Choosing equipment is also very important. For beginners, we only need to choose a digital camera that we like and can afford. You can check out some recent price drops and buying guides in the shopping channel, and I believe you will surely find a beloved DC!
The third step for beginners in photography is communication.
After mastering the basic operations, of course, you should seize every opportunity to take more photos. The works you create can be discussed and studied with fellow enthusiasts. Don't feel embarrassed, especially at the beginning. You may not know where the problems lie in your photos: was the focus not adjusted properly, or was the shutter speed too slow? Can the composition be improved? Could the light angle be better? Next time you encounter a similar environment, can you take better pictures? Explore different shooting themes and locations. Before reaching a certain level, I suggest trying various approaches. In the early stages of learning, joining a photography community with correct concepts can make your journey easier and prevent you from blindly groping alone. Going out with friends to take pictures, returning to study together, exchanging opinions and experiences, all make photography more enjoyable.
Many photography enthusiasts, when they first embark on their photographic journey and face numerous excellent works, are unclear about how to appreciate them. They often overlook the other content hidden within the works. Learning to appreciate is one of the essential basic skills for any photographer. Only by learning to appreciate can one learn more from others' works. Today, I would like to share my experience and views on this topic, and I hope everyone will kindly offer corrections where needed.
Photography primarily focuses on the process of reproducing real-world objects and scenes. In this process, besides emphasizing photography equipment and techniques, it also requires the photographer's instantaneous feelings. When facing different types of photographic works, what kind of perspective should we use to view and evaluate them? For the vast majority of works today, they present the beauty of nature, society, and art from different angles. Such works not only bring us visual and spiritual enjoyment but also inspire our passion for life. Of course, there are also candid and documentary works that do not strictly require composition, lighting, and angles. When facing different genres and styles of photographic works, what mindset should we adopt to appreciate them?
Since photography differs from other arts and has its unique artistic characteristics, it determines its inherent artistic rules. The elements of photography appreciation include: basic shaping factors, technical skills, artistic expression methods, and theme ideas.
Firstly, photography uses color, tone, etc., to shape images. Therefore, appreciating photography should begin with the basic elements directly perceived by the viewer, such as composition, lighting, and tone. These elements are not only the foundation of a work but also the artistic premise for the viewer to feel and understand photographic works.
Secondly, photography is also a perfect combination of technology and skills. An excellent work cannot be separated from the application of technology and skills. The shooting techniques used in the Beijing Olympics swimming competition photographs highlight the main subject, blur the background, give the entire picture a dynamic effect, and make the viewer feel as if they were there. If you have certain photographic knowledge, you can immediately tell the shooting method used in the photo and evaluate and refine it, feeling and recognizing it on a deeper level. Conversely, if your understanding of related photographic knowledge is not deep enough, when you see the photo, you will only notice the dynamic effect between the virtual and real parts while ignoring the exciting moments and expressions captured in the work, missing a valuable learning opportunity.
Thirdly, the artistic expression method is also an important factor in appreciating photographs. It is the different expression methods used by photographers under the guidance of their artistic views and themes based on the needs of theme creation. In today's many commercial and artistic photographic works, we can see many different artistic expression methods. Appreciating this type of work is closely related to the education we have received and our personal artistic cultivation. We can continuously improve our personal artistic cultivation through continuous learning and acquire more knowledge from the works.
Fourthly, the theme idea is the concentrated manifestation of the content of photographic works. It runs through the entire process from conception to completion of the work, achieving unity of content and form. Generally, the theme idea of news-related topics is relatively obvious, while landscape works sometimes do not have a prominent theme but differ significantly in artistic expression methods.
In fact, whether it is photography art or the appreciation of photographic works, both require a long-term process of accumulation, learning, and summarization. Only through constant practice can we improve our appreciation level and form our independent creative style. Among the numerous photographic works we see, we don't have to demand that every photographic work possess beauty. As long as we appreciate them with our own emotions, I believe each photographic work will bring us unique beauty and touching moments!
Recently, many people have been asking me on QQ and MSN how to learn photography. Technical or theoretical aspects are easy to explain because 1+1=2 can be calculated with fingers, can be empirically verified, and anyone performing the calculation will get the same result. No matter who explains, the fact remains unchanged: "A smaller aperture increases depth of field, and a faster shutter speed can freeze motion." However, when it comes to learning photography, it is crucial for beginners. This involves somewhat conceptual issues, which may not be universally agreed upon.
I sincerely hope to share my views and thoughts with beginners so that everyone can avoid losing direction and falling into errors when embarking on the path of photography.
If you have any questions or wish to learn more details, please visit our website! I believe you will learn more professional knowledge! You will become an expert! Related articles: Capture the most beautiful moments, and you will be the master! Capture the most beautiful moments, and you will be the master! Capture the most beautiful moments, and you will be the master!