Some of you have messaged me expressing interest in picking up photography (good for you!!) and asked what/where/how to get started?
So I thought, this would be a great first topic for us to talk about!

I think the first thing one can do to sit down and take a look at what camera you currently have or have access to. Most of us have a 35mm digital point and shoot camera, some of us who grew up in the 90’s have a film point-and-shoot 35mm camera. And if your parents or relatives of an older generation and they were into photography, you probably have seem the really old-school, film-based, totally manual camera that looks like it belong in the movie set in the 70’s or the 80’s.

I personally think it’s a good idea to set an objective as to what you wish to achieve or, get out of, from photography? Are you simply wanting pointers on how to take better pictures (who doesn’t? , Are you wanting to learn how to use your equipment better? (which in term, will also result in better pictures), or are you wanting to pick it up as a hobby and actually ready to get down and dirty? (which will also result in great pictures!)

I would take baby-steps with the camera purchase instead of going out and drop a few grand getting a very impressive/heavy/fast DSLR on the market and not really getting the most out of it. There’s nothing more sad then walking around with a heavy camera killing yourself with a sore neck and not beingable to get the beautiful picture that you inspired to take.

So here’s our first lesson: Having a big ass new DSLR does NOT make us good photographers!
(Though you can walk around and pretend to be one..it’s a great chick magnet at parties..*wink wink*).

What will improve your picture are the following:

1. Composition – “No extraneous crap!” (as quoted and strictly enforced by Langara instructor Chris Morris). Before you take the picture, have a look at the viewfinder and say to yourself “Does that garbage can right beside my dear friend add any value to the picture?…” Chances are….it’s probably not. Everything in the frame should have a purpose! if you can’t justify why you think it should be there, then it probably shouldn’t. Another mistake that most people make is put everything right smack in the middle, this generally doesn’t make a very exciting picture. What I find works are for composition is to try to limit the # of items within your frame to three maximum, then go from there. Another thing to do is to frame your subjects according to the “rule of thirds”: http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds . It’s a pretty powerful rule to get started on.
2. Lighting: “It’s All About the Light” (Again, By Chris Morris) – The morning light and the just before sunset are what we called the “golden hour” or “sweet light”. It is not to say that you can’t take pictures any other time of the day, but do take notice of the “Quality” of light. Generally speaking…when the light is softer, it’s more pleasing to the eye. (Of course there are other times when harsh light may be what you’re after…but more on that after
3. Take it off the auto mode: (this one is by me! not to be confused with just “take it off”…we’re not in Mexico..YET!..ha ha). For those of you that have “manual” mode available on your camera, please use it. Don’t let the camera make the decision for you. I know it’s tricky and you will feel lost at first…but trust me, once you learn more about how powerful you are over the camera..you would want it off auto mode.

Which brings us to our next point, what do I do with a camera in manual mode? I would suggest you to actually take up a course and learn about what Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO means and how to adjust them what what effects it will have on your picture when you adjust them. You can probably learn a lot just by going on-line and reading them off Wikipedia….but guess what? It will not make you a better photographer unless you shoot! Being in a classroom environment have the following advantages:

• You are learning from the expert
• You are learning with other people like you and forming a support system among you.
• You are getting honest critique of your pics from people who don’t love you (as much as your family and friends).
• You get to see other people’s work and be inspired by them
• You get assignments that you have to do, which forces you to shoot. And the more you shoot..the better you become.

I would highly recommend Basic Photography course from Langara College (if you live in Vancouver, Canada) to get anyone started. I know some of us, myself included, have the impression that Langara is a party school for people who failed high school and/or doing university transfer credits. I can’t vouch for their regular academic programs as I have never taken them…but I know their Photography program is excellent! Instructors are very awesome, knowledgeable and are working professionals who are very up-to-date with the trends and technology in photography (No, I don’t get paid for praising them..tho I should! ha ha).

There are other schools like Focal Point (Which I will be taking 2 courses very soon there, will let you know how I like them), and the very well known Emily Carr (which I personally find kind of flaky, the instructor’s are usually not as hands-on and I didn’t get as much feedback or knowledge from them).

Take care everyone and happy shooting!