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What's the Best Beginner Photography Guide Available?
My 2 favourite introductions to the basics of digital photography
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What makes a good beginner photography guide? I think the best introductions to photography help beginners start improving straight away! They emphasize the fact that taking pictures is fun and incredibly satisfying.
Getting to grips with digital camera settings and learning all the key terms is really interesting, but basically a means to an end. Photography is about taking great pictures.
So I want to let you know about the 2 beginners' guides to photography that I have enjoyed the most. They both explore all the major technical and artistic areas of photography in a very accessible way.
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- The Digital Photography Basics section introduces you to the fundamentals: aperture, shutter speed, white balance and all that. It's a full guide to the basics of digital photography aimed at complete beginners.
- Meanwhile the Taking Better Pictures section offers loads of tips on how to raise the standard of your shots. There's advice on composition, setting up a shot, landscape photography, black and white photography and so on.
- Plus the Photography Equipment section walks you through the key facts about cameras, lenses, tripods and more. This will help you understand the kit you'll need to take the kind of photos you want.
Right, back to my suggestions for a beginner photography guide!
I want to introduce you to Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Book Volumes 1, 2 & 3
I've intentionally chosen guides that offer very different ways of learning the basics of digital photography. They will both suit different kinds of people with different priorities. So take your pick!
Bitten by the bug!? Which magazine...? Read these reviews of my personal favourite digital photography magazines! |
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The Digital Photo Book, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, by Scott Kelby.
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For amateur photographers the world over, these three books are where the journey begins. They offer a truly comprehensive guide to photography written in plain English, with a down-to-earth style.
I own Volume 1, which covers the basics of digital photography in 10 sections:
- Taking sharp photos
- Shooting flowers
- Weddings
- Landscapes
- Sports
- People
- Avoiding common problems
- Using digital equipment properly
- Taking travel and city shots
- Printing your pictures.
Each of these topics is covered in sub-sections which are given 1 page each. So you get 1 tip per page! I love this format because it means you can dip into the book any time and learn something new in 2 minutes, without having to read pages and pages.
Kelby's objective is to provide you with information on every page that will be of practical use. But his style is very friendly and informal - the ultimate in easy reading. I should say, though, that his jokes need a bit of work!
I still return to The Digital Photography Book to brush up on certain techniques. So although it's a beginner photography guide, it will serve you well as a reference when you become more experienced too.
Using Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Book Volumes 1, 2 & 3
I found it a genuinely enjoyable way to learn basic photography techniques and explore the potential of my camera.
Watch these Photoshop video lessons! If you enjoy learning through videos instead of written tutorials, these Photoshop lessons will be perfect for you. |
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The Interactive Online Photography Course from Proud Photography
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The majority of beginner photographers don't have the time to do a course at a local college. But sometimes just learning from a book isn't enough.
I personally much prefer to have a tutor. It makes it possible to ask questions, get regular feeback and generally grow in confidence more quickly. Before the internet there wasn't much that could be done about this dilemma. Either get on a course or read a book!
But now it's possible to have the best of both. Proud Photography has put together a wonderful beginner photography guide in the shape of an interactive online course
Students work through the 13 sections in their own time. At the end of each section there is 'homework' to do - or fun ways to try out the new stuff you've learnt.
You then submit your work to a personal tutor who will be assigned you at the start of the course. They provide thoughtful, constructive feedback. It's exactly what's missing from a beginner photography guide in book format.
You can pitch any questions you may have to your tutor as you work through the course. There are no time constraints at all. No deadlines whatsoever. Fit your learning around your own schedule. It really is the best of both worlds.
The 13 sections of the course are packed with basic photography tips as well as some rather nifty expert advice! You will be left very confident in the basics of digital photography and confident in your ability to take stunning photos.
The 13 sections:
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I enjoyed this course hugely and actually learnt more from it than a year's offline course I did on digital photography. The tutors were quick to respond to questions and interesting with their feedback to my work.
Find out if this is the beginner photography guide for you by visiting the Proud Photography website
A whole album in 1 frame! I love digital photo picture frames! Here's my guide to choosing one with selected reviews.
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Have Your Say and Share Your Photos
What's the best beginner photography guide you've used? Why was it so good? What could have made it better? Share your opinions and, of course, your photos!
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