oliegirl
03-15-2008, 11:23 AM
Photography has always been an interest of mine, but I've never taken a class or truly studied it. However, after continuing to be intrigued and interested in photography for a number of years, I decided to take the plunge.
I recently purchased a nice Digital SLR...it's not top of the line, but it's a huge upgrade from what was using, a Canon Power Shot "point and shoot" digital camera. Here are the details of the camera:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1294
The package I purchased from Fry's came with 2 lenses...
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/5234267?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
I decided before I actually took a class or anything, that I would just play around and get an idea of what kind of photography I like, and try to figure out what my "goals" are as far as photography. They are as follows:
*Be able to capture more emotion in the pictures I take of my family and friends. Develop more of a "photojournalistic" style, instead of the pictures always being posed.
*Be able to capture great shots of my son playing soccer. He is a goalie and although I've taken some good shots before, my camera didn't have the power to get close enough to really capture the action. I know sports photography is difficult, so I'm anticipating this being quite a challenge.
*Expand my horizons and vision as far as landscape/scenery photography goes. We have a lot of woods behind our apartment complex, along with the Chattahoochee River, and we have a number of very scenic areas not far from us. I love going for a walk with my camera but find myself always taking the "same" shot. I want to learn how to do the upclose shot better, how to change my perspective, etc.
I never expect or aspire to be a professional, and although I'm willing to upgrade my lenses, etc, at some point in the future, I'm not going to be spending a significant amount of money on improving my equipment. From everything I've read, I have a really good camera that is very good for someone like myself.
I've never done manual settings, I use the different "modes" (portrait, night, sports, etc...) but don't know enough yet to set my own aperture, etc. That is what I hope to learn when I take a class, which will hopefully be in the next 2 - 3 months, depending on "real life".
So...I've started a picasa album and have set a goal of taking at least one picture a day. I won't be posting ALL of them (day 1 I took over 60 shots on a walk through the woods). I doubt I will be updating the album every day, but my goal is to get an update done every 2 - 3 days. I'm labeling the shots with the day number and putting comments on the ones I either really like or dislike.
I'd really like to get the opinion of the people here at FOFC. Please be honest, but there is no reason to be mean :) Constructive criticism, pointers and advice is what I'm hoping for.
If I haven't lost you yet...here is the link to the album...
http://picasaweb.google.com/julieleavitt/JulieSPhotographyDynastyAlbum?authkey=VdWakvQL8Gk
I recently purchased a nice Digital SLR...it's not top of the line, but it's a huge upgrade from what was using, a Canon Power Shot "point and shoot" digital camera. Here are the details of the camera:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1294
The package I purchased from Fry's came with 2 lenses...
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/5234267?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
I decided before I actually took a class or anything, that I would just play around and get an idea of what kind of photography I like, and try to figure out what my "goals" are as far as photography. They are as follows:
*Be able to capture more emotion in the pictures I take of my family and friends. Develop more of a "photojournalistic" style, instead of the pictures always being posed.
*Be able to capture great shots of my son playing soccer. He is a goalie and although I've taken some good shots before, my camera didn't have the power to get close enough to really capture the action. I know sports photography is difficult, so I'm anticipating this being quite a challenge.
*Expand my horizons and vision as far as landscape/scenery photography goes. We have a lot of woods behind our apartment complex, along with the Chattahoochee River, and we have a number of very scenic areas not far from us. I love going for a walk with my camera but find myself always taking the "same" shot. I want to learn how to do the upclose shot better, how to change my perspective, etc.
I never expect or aspire to be a professional, and although I'm willing to upgrade my lenses, etc, at some point in the future, I'm not going to be spending a significant amount of money on improving my equipment. From everything I've read, I have a really good camera that is very good for someone like myself.
I've never done manual settings, I use the different "modes" (portrait, night, sports, etc...) but don't know enough yet to set my own aperture, etc. That is what I hope to learn when I take a class, which will hopefully be in the next 2 - 3 months, depending on "real life".
So...I've started a picasa album and have set a goal of taking at least one picture a day. I won't be posting ALL of them (day 1 I took over 60 shots on a walk through the woods). I doubt I will be updating the album every day, but my goal is to get an update done every 2 - 3 days. I'm labeling the shots with the day number and putting comments on the ones I either really like or dislike.
I'd really like to get the opinion of the people here at FOFC. Please be honest, but there is no reason to be mean :) Constructive criticism, pointers and advice is what I'm hoping for.
If I haven't lost you yet...here is the link to the album...
http://picasaweb.google.com/julieleavitt/JulieSPhotographyDynastyAlbum?authkey=VdWakvQL8Gk