Newbie looking to take it easy

aaronmishagus · 01-09-2020, 04:26 PM

I'm very new to photography. Decided that photography looks like a good hobby to add to my golfing. So, I completed the Hollywood Art Institute Photography course (really nice with the Groupon sale) and bought a K70 with the kit 18-135 lens based on reviews and price. I'm retired and like getting outdoors in SW Florida. Probably, I'll walk around and try to get some photos of birds and landscapes. Nothing too exciting, just slow and easy, like me. Any suggestions that don't involve a lot technique? Again, I'm looking for a time-passing hobby; I'm not an enthusiast, yet. My favorite song is the Eagles' "Take it Easy".

**BigDave** · 01-09-2020, 04:30 PM

Really, just get used to the camera...technique will follow and build. Photography things you like, and maybe bring the camera with you when you play golf- you never know what you may see on the fairways, especially in SW Florida (where you have a different idea of a water hazzard- Gaters!)

**aslyfox** · 01-09-2020, 04:42 PM

Welcome

three suggestions

two require some reading but only one will cost anything

go to " articles " and take a look at some of the instructional articles and the in depth review of the K 70

https://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/resources/

consider buying the Ebook

[30% off] Instantly download your Pentax eBook! (K-1, KP, K-70, K-3, K-5, K-50, K-S2) - PentaxForums.com

the third suggestion

have fun

Unregistered User 8 · 01-09-2020, 05:06 PM

Hi Aaron, welcome from Australia.

mkgd1 · 01-09-2020, 05:19 PM - **2 Likes**

Welcome to the forum from Arizona. If you ever make it to Arizona, be sure to visit this spot. (2 of my grandkids taken last summer with my phone)

**Mikesul** · 01-09-2020, 06:27 PM

Welcome to the PentaxForums!

swanlefitte · 01-09-2020, 07:05 PM

Wecome.
Take pictures, try new things, ask for help if/when you have questions.

**Kerrowdown** · 01-10-2020, 12:08 AM

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your time here with us all.

fsge · 01-10-2020, 05:04 AM

Hello Aaron, welcome to the forum!

Vmax911 · 01-10-2020, 07:53 AM

Welcome to the forum! Just take pictures of whatever catches your eye. The 18-135mm is a very versatile lens and should give you the ability to choose a perspective that works for you. Don't be afraid to zoom in on a wide angle shot and explore. If you really get into birding you will be looking for a longer lens soon enough.

Charlie Victor · 01-10-2020, 11:43 PM

A hearty welcome from South Africa!
Best.

noelpolar · 01-11-2020, 12:06 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome.... "slow and easy"....

you are not alone..... this is me hard at it.....

" effort is over rated"

**gaweidert** · 01-13-2020, 05:14 AM

Welcome aboard from another retiree here from a bit north of you. Retirement is good gig if you can manage it. I heartily recommend it to everyone. I only regret that my early retirement plans fell through when my investment in lottery tickets failed to pay off.

brewmaster15 · 01-13-2020, 05:46 AM

Welcome to the forum and hobby! Being in sw Florida gives you a tremendous number of outdoor parks and preserves to shoot in .. The 135mm though not usually ideal for wildlife can give you some very decent shots still of birds and gators, .. check out JN Ding Darling Wild life refuge.. its a car driven loop and of many I have been on its probably one of the best for photo ops close to the road.

Hit up Myakka River state park and fakahatchie strand as well as big cypress board walk, and corkscrew swamp ..These are all great places for wildlife viewing close up.. and theres plenty of great scenery and plants as well.

AL

**TER-OR** · 01-13-2020, 07:15 AM

That lens and camera pair should serve you well. I enjoy my 18-135, it's compact, has good resolution and the motorized focus is a pleasure to use.

Suggestions.
Point of View. Don't just take images from human eye level. If you're photographing dogs or children, take a knee and get to their level. Try very low level when outdoors looking at wildlife, and try getting some elevation for landscapes, or find that opening in the brush down low and shoot through that. Give the viewer an unusual aspect on a familiar sight.

Points of interest - tell a story. Get some foreground and background details and take photos of both focus points - then see what you think later. You may find the close subject with the background out of focus compelling, or vice-versa.

01-09-2020, 04:26 PM	#1
aaronmishagus New Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2	Newbie looking to take it easy I'm very new to photography. Decided that photography looks like a good hobby to add to my golfing. So, I completed the Hollywood Art Institute Photography course (really nice with the Groupon sale) and bought a K70 with the kit 18-135 lens based on reviews and price. I'm retired and like getting outdoors in SW Florida. Probably, I'll walk around and try to get some photos of birds and landscapes. Nothing too exciting, just slow and easy, like me. Any suggestions that don't involve a lot technique? Again, I'm looking for a time-passing hobby; I'm not an enthusiast, yet. My favorite song is the Eagles' "Take it Easy".

01-09-2020, 04:42 PM	#3
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Welcome three suggestions two require some reading but only one will cost anything go to " articles " and take a look at some of the instructional articles and the in depth review of the K 70 https://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/resources/ consider buying the Ebook [30% off] Instantly download your Pentax eBook! (K-1, KP, K-70, K-3, K-5, K-50, K-S2) - PentaxForums.com the third suggestion have fun Last edited by aslyfox; 01-09-2020 at 05:15 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for an easy to use backup/storage solution	concealer404	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	16	03-12-2014 05:48 PM
Looking for good, easy to use flash	dinneenp	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	18	03-24-2012 01:55 PM
Travel "Take It Easy"	Bob Harris	Post Your Photos!	23	11-10-2011 02:49 PM
New to Raw and looking for EASY, software	Krzys	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	16	09-05-2011 09:31 PM
Easy Pentax newbie question	gjtoth	Pentax K-r	7	04-28-2011 03:58 PM

01-09-2020, 04:30 PM	#2
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	Really, just get used to the camera...technique will follow and build. Photography things you like, and maybe bring the camera with you when you play golf- you never know what you may see on the fairways, especially in SW Florida (where you have a different idea of a water hazzard- Gaters!)

01-09-2020, 05:06 PM	#4
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Hi Aaron, welcome from Australia.

01-09-2020, 06:27 PM	#6
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Welcome to the PentaxForums!

01-09-2020, 07:05 PM	#7
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Wecome. Take pictures, try new things, ask for help if/when you have questions.

01-10-2020, 12:08 AM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Welcome to the forum, enjoy your time here with us all.

01-10-2020, 05:04 AM	#9
fsge Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Genf Posts: 1,138	Hello Aaron, welcome to the forum!

01-10-2020, 07:53 AM	#10
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	Welcome to the forum! Just take pictures of whatever catches your eye. The 18-135mm is a very versatile lens and should give you the ability to choose a perspective that works for you. Don't be afraid to zoom in on a wide angle shot and explore. If you really get into birding you will be looking for a longer lens soon enough.

01-10-2020, 11:43 PM	#11
Charlie Victor Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Durban Photos: Albums Posts: 1,227	A hearty welcome from South Africa! Best.

01-11-2020, 12:06 AM - 1 Like	#12
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Welcome.... "slow and easy".... you are not alone..... this is me hard at it..... " effort is over rated"

01-13-2020, 05:14 AM	#13
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,327	Welcome aboard from another retiree here from a bit north of you. Retirement is good gig if you can manage it. I heartily recommend it to everyone. I only regret that my early retirement plans fell through when my investment in lottery tickets failed to pay off.

01-13-2020, 05:46 AM	#14
brewmaster15 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,860	Welcome to the forum and hobby! Being in sw Florida gives you a tremendous number of outdoor parks and preserves to shoot in .. The 135mm though not usually ideal for wildlife can give you some very decent shots still of birds and gators, .. check out JN Ding Darling Wild life refuge.. its a car driven loop and of many I have been on its probably one of the best for photo ops close to the road. Hit up Myakka River state park and fakahatchie strand as well as big cypress board walk, and corkscrew swamp ..These are all great places for wildlife viewing close up.. and theres plenty of great scenery and plants as well. AL

01-13-2020, 07:15 AM	#15
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	That lens and camera pair should serve you well. I enjoy my 18-135, it's compact, has good resolution and the motorized focus is a pleasure to use. Suggestions. Point of View. Don't just take images from human eye level. If you're photographing dogs or children, take a knee and get to their level. Try very low level when outdoors looking at wildlife, and try getting some elevation for landscapes, or find that opening in the brush down low and shoot through that. Give the viewer an unusual aspect on a familiar sight. Points of interest - tell a story. Get some foreground and background details and take photos of both focus points - then see what you think later. You may find the close subject with the background out of focus compelling, or vice-versa.