Learning basic photographic techniques

*Ash* · 03-20-2008, 04:18 PM

This is for all those newbies, amateurs, enthusiasts, etc in the forum interested in sharpening their photographic skills regardless of the camera they use.

I stumbled across this fantastic resource online recently and thought to share it with all of you. Written by the US Navy for training their own photographers, it may seem a little archaic and focused on Navy photography, but the principles are all there and explained very clearly and simply.

To me this is a full-on photography course online minus the guided exercises. It's full of nuggets about learning the basics of what makes good photos, but of course assumes the reader know how to use all the settings on their camera.

Here's the link if anyone's interested:
Basic Photography Techniques - Photographic Composition, Center of interest, Subject placement, Simplicity, Viewpoint and camera angle, Balance.

Enjoy...

deludel · 03-20-2008, 10:18 PM

Thanks Ash! I am all about gathering learning material. I find that even if I don't need it now, I bookmark it and usually find the need for the information further down the road.

Also, I will share a really cool source that I found. BetterPhoto.com is an online community and a place to take online courses. I'm in no way selling the site, however I should disclose that I am enrolled in a year-long program with them.

BEFORE I enrolled however, I tried a FREE course and learned so much! It's no obligation, it's literally an 8-week course that is available, called Digital SLR Photography. Here's the link ... again, I'm only sharing this because it helped me tremendously.

Digital SLR Photography: A FREE Course Preview - See How Our Online Photography Classes Work: Overview

Also, there are lots of free articles on the BetterPhoto site, in the Resources tab.

Happy Learning!

Mechan1k · 03-21-2008, 12:56 AM

Ash .... nice one ... will have a look at this when i get a chance.
As I am leaving work now for the weekend ... and will not be seeing a PC for a few days thank goodness.

ftpaddict · 03-21-2008, 01:42 AM

Bookmarked.

Will look more into it, once I get subjects to photograph!

*Ash* · 03-22-2008, 05:44 AM

And then, when that stuff's sunk in, and you're into portraits, this is another stellar read:
Benji's Studio Lighting and Posing Tutorial

All about studio setups and tips on model posing...
Useful even for the strobist enthusiasts...

*Ash* · 03-22-2008, 06:04 AM

And another top read for making flash not look like flash...

planet neil - tangents flash photography techniques

simons-photography · 03-22-2008, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Ash

This is for all those newbies, amateurs, enthusiasts, etc in the forum interested in sharpening their photographic skills regardless of the camera they use.

I stumbled across this fantastic resource online recently and thought to share it with all of you. Written by the US Navy for training their own photographers, it may seem a little archaic and focused on Navy photography, but the principles are all there and explained very clearly and simply.

To me this is a full-on photography course online minus the guided exercises. It's full of nuggets about learning the basics of what makes good photos, but of course assumes the reader know how to use all the settings on their camera.

Here's the link if anyone's interested:
Basic Photography Techniques - Photographic Composition, Center of interest, Subject placement, Simplicity, Viewpoint and camera angle, Balance.

Enjoy...

I have a couple such books that make interesting reading if anyone wants them have to warn they are 9 and 18 MB pdf so don't know if you can receive them to your inbox

georgweb · 04-25-2008, 11:47 AM

Well here's the obvious guide to happiness in photography,
What the Duck, Rule of Nerds by Aaron Johnson (Book)
(flip through the pages with the yellow arrows on the side)
Support this guy, buy the book and give it to somebody!
Georg