Hi gang,

I am new to the photography game. I have just started posting my pics as you can see if you choose to look at my gallery.

One of things I am interested in learning how to do is photography for magazines, papers, and fashion shows. I say that as I am student at CU and volunteer on the Paper, but hope to also volunteer for our other magazines and our Glamour and Photography club. So any recomended quick readings would be great.

I realy would like to learn how to photograph people both posed and candids. I like the ideas of candids best as I like the idea of capturing real moments.

Any ways though I only shoot with a digital camera I am considering buying my first add on lens. However for my camera there are only two that I know of that I can get. A wide angle lens and an additional 1.5 zoom my camera has a 4 x optical zoom and maybe a 8 digitial zoom. I don't know about the digital zoom I find it never looks good if I use the digitial zoom so I try and just use the optical.

Any advice on reading and which lens you would recomend I would appreciate it.

I have read a lot about drawing, painting, animation, art history as well as having taken graphic design in college and worked as a graphic designer. I have even tought it at the college level so I am familiar with basic concepts of the elements and principles of design and such. In highschool I took grade 9-13 art, as well as commercial-art and did a co-op doing graphic design. So I have a background in highschool art. But truth is I have never really focused my studies on photography. Also I can only afford my digital camera I have so I won't be moving to a 35mm real camera.

Thanks,
Marty

Message edited on: 12/31/2005 09:12

Hi Marty!!! First of all, a big warm welcome to the forum. Im sure youll find answers to most of your questions in here. I took a look at your gallery and you some mighty fine city-shots there. #:o) As far as the lenses goes...it sounds like youre using a compact digital camera. And therefor you cant exchange lenses but you can use "add ons" as you mentioned. I cant give you any advice on this matter, since im not familiar with any of those two. But looking into what they cost to my own Canon Powershot Pro...id tell you to save the money instead and later on put them on a DSLR perhaps. And for the love of God...dont use the digital zoom!!!!! Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! Andreas #:O)

I think our sweet Swedish said it all!! Definitely save ur $$ to buy a SLR! ;) And welcome to the forum indeed! Yes! :)

Welcome Marty. Yes Andreas has some good info there. Before spending a lot on add ons,there is some good deals on a DLSR.For candid shots it is always good to be able to take faster frame sequences.You need the ability to change settings at a finger touch, and really see what is in focus through the lens. I have tried with a point and shoot, and people just move too fast for the speed of those cameras. Then if you want a zoom, you will have no problems, plus get great Depth of Fields on those random shots. All Optical too.

Fast DSLR, decent glass....your be well away!!!!

but end of the day, its the optics!...dont consider anything less!...lot of things to consider I guess...depends what ya wanna do!...decent optics really do help, cannot stress enough!!!

Thanks for the advice gang.

Welcome and good luck to you.If you want advice you certainly came to the right place.Everyone's real helpful here.Lovely city shots BTW,and that little chapel looks almost surreal.