Hello everyone,

I would like to get into photography. I have always admired, and am particularly interested in black and white photography. There's just something about black and white photos that I really like.

But since I don't have a really large cashflow,  I was hoping you guys in this forum could point me in the right direction to some resources for this field. Such as what sort of camera to get. What kind of film to use. Where to get it processed etc....And if possible, authors or books on the subject.

Thanks,

Daidalos.

For ideas and inspiration I would think about what I want to photograph and search the net for ideas..plenty of good images out there and much cheaper than books.

If you find stuff you like and then shoot itself it may not look as good so look at the original pic and note things like what the angle the shot was taken from and especially the light and the time of day it may have been taken.

From a lot of images I see it is pretty certain that some dodging an burning has been done the enhance the image...not all of them but a reasonable share.

As for equipment then I would forget film and go digital.I shot film for many year in my own photography business and would never go back.With digital you can shot as much as you like as an experiment and not have to worry about D & P costs,neither do you have to buy film.There is also the added bonus that you can send your digital images on line to be printed saving trips to the town.

As for the camera I would say a digital SLR and not one of the lower end of the range.Our grandkids just got coolpix and I was sad to see the limitations of it.

OK that's my input..others may disagree with me but that is what the forum is for.

If I can help any more just reply

Eddie

I'd go for an entry level DSLR probably as Eddie said - but it really depends on the budget.  But if you can cut back on all the other costs - look at the GIMP (it is free and open source) for processing the images instead of buying Photoshop - then getting a decent camera is always going to benefit you in the long run and gives you room to expand into.

I agree with what's been said, I will also start with an entry level DSLR, but just a small qualification here: Rather get a "cheaper" camera but a good lens. A lens is actually what you buy, the camera will grow with you into newer models. Of course what is true is that you will have to stick to a brand name because the lenses may not be interchangeable.

To summarize: Get a good standard lens, something like a 18-135 or 18-200mm lens and if budget allows, a macro or longer zoom lens.

The black and white? Good choice, google and see if you can find resources covering the same type of photography (in B&W) you have in mind. Still life, scenic or whatever, there are good role models out there.

Good luck, I hope you get off to a good start.

dont do it...... it can take over your life lol....

as the guys above have allready said...... its good advice

As I read the original requirments, Daidalos wants to,

to get into photography.
particularly interested in black and white photography.
Such as what sort of camera to get.
What kind of film to use.

Film in these days is quite a bit of a problem. 

Let me give you the benefit of my experience.  I have 2 good film
cameras, 35mm SLR with several lenses and also a medium format
SLR with 2 good lenses ... both with the usual accessories. 

I could get film, B&W, color negative, color positive; I can get the film
professionally processed. 

The problem is that the cost is out of sight -- $18 to develop, scan,
print, print an index card and burn a CD-ROM ... but (this is the kicker),
only at about 6 mega pixels per image.  Yeah, that's enough to print
an 8X10 ... but what if I want to do an extreme crop and blow-up?  That
would be an additional cost. 

So ... I have some suggestions ...

1. Please forget about film ... at least for now. 

2. Since you are just starting out, and you are trying to hold your
   costs down, get a modestly priced point and shoot ... about $100. 

Concentrate on composition, and capturing the decisive moment. 

You'll be able to take pictures at no cost and process in GIMP
(or photoshop) ... I have no experience with GIMP -- can't help
you there. 

1. You asked about books ... I would suggest the Ansel Adams
   books, [ The Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography

• Book 1 (Ansel Adams's Guide to the Basic Techniques of
  Photography) (Paperback)](http://www.amazon.com/Ansel-Adams-Guide-Techniques-Photography/dp/0821225758/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219421469&sr=1-6) and The Ansel Adams Guide : Basic
  Techniques of Photography - Book 2 (Paperback).  

Eventually, you'll need a photo quality printer and a good quality
tripod.  In order to suggest a tripod, we (and you) need to know
if you will be shooting in the studio, in the field, or while hiking. 

HTH

--
Martin

Thanks for the help everyone. Thats a lot of information some of wich to be honest completely lost me. LOL

I was wanting to do images that are small poster sized at least. And I was interested in trying to take them while I'm out hiking.

But judging by some of the info here, it looks as if I'm better off just sticking with CG and Poser and photoshop etc....for that though. It looks as if it's cheaper.

I thought all the first suggestions were the best then read the one from MGD and thought of what got me here.

I got a state of the art 4 mg point and shoot when 4 was the max out there. I got this for one reason: To get decent images for eBay!  Well, we went through a time being mail order folks and did sell lots of stuff we already had.  The images did it and I found the little camera was something I wanted with me most of the time in case a picture was there.  That got me going again after some year of basic film work again several years prior. 

Then, it was a DSLR.     Well, that was a good direction but it would not have been if I did not have the experience with the little point and shoot with manual overrides.   The little camera is what got my eyes working to actually see a decent photo opportunity and gave me the chance to get it onto the pc and see how to really develop it.  My first stuff was overdone with poor post work and now when the photo is the reason, postwork is purely for making a good photo. (Sure, I do other stuff when the notion is here! )

Go for a relatively inexpensive camera with a decent macro capability and the options of shooting manual easily without playing too much with complicated menus and that is in my thought a good way to give it a try.  If you like it...you will grow with it and then more and better equipment will happen.  If you don't find it to be a passion of sorts, you can still get some fine memories of the vacations and holidays and folks you are with. 

As most here will agree and as is proven in the photo galleries, it is the eye behind the camera which is the first step in doing it well, more that than the equipment expense. (Of course, do it well, find that eye and the "need" for better equipment grows.)       TomDart.

well said Tom...... point and shoot is where i started......  still use one or two lol.....

**Daidalos,

Sorry if some of us scared you off... I'm sure no one intended to do that..But, not everyone can afford an entry level DSLR.

I should look up our disposable camera challenge...

If you let us know what type of price range your looking at, I'm sure we can point you in the direction of a nice camera to get you started..

OK, maybe you can't change lenses...but it doesn't mean you can't take great photos !!

Digital is the way to go for sure.. No more printing mistakes..

I keep telling my self to get film for my older film SLR...I never do...

What size of prints do you want to make??

There is a guide to the relationship  between MP and print size..

Check this book out

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0817463003/bookstorenow57-20

or

this one

e
**

Daidalos,

I was thinking of going back to each of the previous answers to explain each buzz-word and abbreviation ... Then I was going to suggest checking one of my online suppliers -- Computer Geeks -- for an inexpensive point 'n shoot digital camera. 

However, before I could do that, they read my mind and sent me this notice for a Kodak 10 MP point 'n shoot camera -- $89.50. 

For that camera, you will also need to buy 1 (or 2) SD memory cards -- 2GB for $10 (think film [grin]), and an SD memory card reader such as this 8-in-1 reader -- $6. 

That would put the total cost at about $106 plus shipping. 

BTW, although the camera comes with a rechargeable Li-ion battery, you can (and should) eventually get at least one additional battery -- about $12 (search the web for the best price). 

Please ket us know what you decide ... keep asking questions, too. 

--
Martin

ejn,inshaala,busi2ness,awjay,MGD,TomDart,Pushinfaders,and anyone I may have missed.

Not that I'm seeking a pity party or anything like that.

I have had a relapse and the MRSA I acquired when I had surgery back in March has returned. The medicine they have me on is really expensive, so for the time being, unless I get really really lucky and can get my brother to loan me the money,  I won't have the cash flow to get myself a camera.

Wich really sucks because I was going to buy that Kodak MGD shared with me.

Anyways, I'll not keep you guys any longer. I just wanted to say thank you and let you all know I appreciate the way everyone was willing to offer me advice and information. It was important to me, that I let you all know that I wasn't just wasting your time asking stupid silly questions here.

When I get better I promise I'll be making use of the information you have all shared with me. In the meantime I'll just keep visiting you guy's gallery and Oohing and ahhing with everyone else. :lol:

Regards,

Daidalos

I agree with all above, but if you are are still interested by see DSLR's as too expensive, maybe look at getting a second hand model.  I have had 2 so far.  As long as they come from a good sauce eg a dealer that gives you a warranty.  You can get some real bargins.  You may also get one better than an entry model.

Great to see you have an interest. 

My husband found on craigslist.com a Canon rebel xt for $300 and it came with 2 lens 2 battery packs and charger and 2 four gig flash cards and a carry case.

and the camera was only used once on a vacation trip. the guy he bought it from wanted to get into photography on vacation and spent all this money on the camera and couldnt figure it out. he didnt even know how to get his vacation pictures off the camera and on the computer. they were still on one of the cards that came with the camera.

so there is a lot of good deals out there people selling thier gear because they need the cash or it wasnt the hobby they thought they wanted to do.

Check craigslist.com im sure a lot are selling cameras to buy gas these days lol

Hi everyone,

Well I got my chance to try photography out earlier this week.

I'm having the images transferred to disk tonight, and hopefully will be able to share some of the shots tommorow.

Thanks for all your help and advice so far everyone.

Daidalos

Well here's a sample of some of the photos I took. I had to reduce them in photoshop though so they'd fit here.

I appreciate any pointers/opinions anyone would like to offer me, as I know thats about the only way I'll be able to better myself at this hobby.

Thanks,

Daidalos