Anyone can take a picture

I have learned in the past couple weeks that anyone can take a picture but taking a picture does not a photographer make. There is so much to learn and where to start? I read my manual, or at least try, it is hard to read something when you don't have a good understanding of what the words mean. I don't have a grasp on aperature, ISO speed, white balance. I am experiencing an extreme sense of intimidation. This isn't something you can learn in a matter of days, weeks or even months. I am beginning to think it takes years. This is something you have to be very serious about and dedicated to. Neither of those are my issue, finding the time to invest in learning the art, I will no longer call it a hobby, it is a combination of learning the skills required and having an artistic eye, finding the time - - -unless you are fortunate enough to be able to dedicate yourself, how does one learn photography?

I clicked on the link for suggested books only to find that it took me to a list containing books, not book, singular but plural, and I have no idea which one to buy.

Can anyone recommend a good book for a beginner who needs things defined in everyday language?

Am I the only one who feels like this?

You may want to take a look at Adorama TV. They have a lot of videos on so many subjects. After that, think about the areas where you still have questions.

www.adorama.com/alc/category/AdoramaTV

Bryan Peterson books are always a good read. You we see some of his videos at the site above.

You may also look for a Camera Club in your area. They can be a great source of information, workshops, etc.

Lots of good stuff on Adorama TV. Much of it can also be found on this forum in the "Tips" section.

I'll recommend Bryan peterson's "Understanding Photography Field Guide."
Chapter 2 = Exposure
Chapter 3 = Aperture
Chapter 4 = Shutter Speed & ISO.

And the rest of the book is full of useful stuff. I like Bryan; he still uses some old school ideas.

www.amazon.com/Bryan-Petersons-Understan...derstanding+exposure

Thank you, I used your link, went straight to Amazon and ordered the book.

Much appreciated advice.

They are very good books. He is so easy to understand

Judy - aperture is easier to understand if you relate it to the pupil of your eye- in low light your pupil expands open wider and in bright light it contracts smaller to acommadate the light level present at the time. In lower light your camera lens needs to be open wider and in bright light open less to let enough light in to make an image.
ISO is sensitivity to light. and works with the principle that higher numbers are increased light sensitivity over lower numbers. This works in combination with aperture to produce a well exposed image- one that isn't too light (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed)

Thank you Rob. That does make it easier to comprehend. Now I just have to remember it, the aperature, got it, ISO, will take a bit longer to retain and apply.

Rob's explanation of ISO is spot on.

Back in the days of film there were very rigorous rules about the selection of ISO. Many of today's authors continue that tradition. But digital (versus film) does make a difference. ISO selection is no longer so critical. So while the principles of ISO still apply, we need not stress over them like we used to.

Kelly

You're right I think, it takes years - just as it does with any craft or hobby or skill, it doesn't exactly develop overnight. Although it is possible to take a picture by just pushing a button, I guess that's why Kodak made instamatics!

I'm a longtime film photographer and what was easier in a way when I learned was not having the internet - there seems to be a lot of less than accurate info. online and hopefully you won't have to unlearn things as you go. But what might have been more challenging in the past was learning thru a lot of trial and error - I think I just got out with my camera and figured things out (and spent time back at the camera shop asking questions).

Kelly is right about the ISO being a variable with a digital camera - it stands for International Standards Organization and defines a standardized way of measuring light sensitivity. When I'm using a film camera the ISO is determined by what speed film I put in the camera, and I use the same setting as a starting point when using my digital camera - 100 or 200 ISO outdoors, 400 indoors (or possibly outdoors if overcast) - then I raise the ISO as needed in lower/less light.

Rob gave a good description in how the aperture works. The f stops are fractions - f8 is 1/8 the focal length of the lens. As you go to f2 and open the lens more your aperture or lens opening is the size of 1/2 the focal length; f16 is only 1/16 of the length. If you look into a lens you may be able to see the blades open and close and see the size of the aperture change. I usually set my cameras at f8 as a midrange starting point.

The shutter speed is also measured in fractions - my starting point is 1/125 which is where I usually set it using cameras hand-held to keep a sharp image. It's adjusted so as the shutter moves slower, such as 1/60th of a second, it lets in more light; as it moves faster such as 1/500th of a sec. it lets in less light.

I use the meter to tell me how to adjust my camera. If it's showing there isn't enough or there's too much light, I need to adjust the aperture or shutter speed or ISO or some combination of those, to get an accurate exposure (with film I only change two of those settings unless I change film midroll). That's what probably will take time to learn.

Also I think it takes time to learn about the elements of composition and figure out how to use those concepts in taking photos, as well as figuring out how to get in your viewfinder what you want in your photo.

The big thing I learned over the years is that it is all about the shadow&light, and how it affect a subject. Sometimes you have to wait on them to get a scene, or subject so that it has that wow effect. This is where patience comes in which few have, and fewer seem to want to have. Here is a little video I ran across on another forum that explains three basics of how three of the settings work.

I've been taking pictures for years, but I am just now beginning to understand photography and learning more than where the click button is on the camera. It is overwhelming, but I try not to pressure myself into knowing everything all at once.

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"

Thank you for the book recommendations. Headed to Amazon now.

Very informative video, thanks for sharing. I will definitely watch it more than once and most likely check out other videos he has made that could also be beneficial.

Thank you all for sharing you learned knowledge with me. I did order the recommended book but am sure this is not the last of questions. It is great to know that there are people with experience at my fingertips LOL, pun intended.

There is so much good advice here, I don't know if my 4 cents will make any difference.  There are as many books out on photography as there are photographers.  I have not been doing this DSLR thing for very long either.  I was so overwhelmed when I started (not that I am not still).  I went to the library and checked out a lot of different books, by a lot of different authors.  I did not "read" all of them.  I scanned them to see whose writing I understood and liked the best.  Then I stuck with that author and his/her books and have really learned a lot.

Hope this helps and welcome to the jungle.

And who is that?