Looking for a teacher... I'm happy to pay :-)

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hailinguk

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Hi There,

I'm a complete newbie (I haven't even got my DSLR yet!) and thought it might be a good idea to see if there's anyone willing to take me on as a pupil to show me the way around a camera, explain the basics and basically teach me all I need to know.

I'm happy to pay on an hourly basis or am open to suggestions. I know I could go to a scheduled course but from past experience I know that I absorb more on a 'one to one' basis.

I will need to use one of your cameras though until I get my own.

I live in South West London. I'm free evenings or any time over the weekend. I usually take Mondays and Fridays off too if those work better for you.

Anyone interested please PM me.

Thanks
 
I would wait until you get your camera as per your siggy and then get yourself to a few of the meets that are organised on here. I havn't been to one myself but everyone seems to have a great time helping each other out and I'm thinking this would be a more fun way of learning. You'd also get the benefit of more than one opinion / school of thought and probably have more fun in the process.

Also getting a good book (Understanding Exposure usually gets the nod) and trying things for yourself is half the fun - post your results up here and ask for feedback and I'm sure you will be coming on in leaps and bounds in no time. That way you will hopefully end up developing your own style / understanding rather than just following someone elses opinion of what you should be doing.

Or maybe join a photography club / evening class if you do want a more formal learning curve.
 
Thanks Daysleeper. I know I should wait to get my camera and then play around with it but I literally have not a clue where to start. I got a couple of books out the library a couple of months back and it was like reading another language. I don't take anything in by reading, I'm definitely a handson learner. I'd hate to turn up to a meet and be the one asking all the questions all night!

I'm definitely going to invest in that book you mentioned as loads of people have also suggested this so I hope it's written for dummies! ;)

I can't wait to get my camera. I got married a few weeks ago so my cash flow isn't exactly flowing at the moment :(
 
Keep browsing through the TP forum, it's a really great place to learn. There are top people on here who will give advice and solutions to any photography question you have. If you use the search facility first you will often find answers to your questions that have been asked loads of times before.

Upload your pics, and be open to comments that you get. People will offer crit to try to help you learn. Sometimes it's good, other times not so - We've all been there!

Most of all - enjoy your camera when it comes and enjoy learning about it!!
 
I'd hate to turn up to a meet and be the one asking all the questions all night!
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I really doubt that anyone would mind that in the least. Most folk that would go to a meet would be only too happy to help anyone with real interest and enthusiasm.
 
I'm actually getting my first DSLR in a couple of weeks too - I have been using a bridge camera for the last year but I think I've managed to learn a few things that will help with the DSLR.

I get that everyone learns differently and reading is not your thing but I would strongly recommend sitting down with the camera and the manual and run through what all the buttons do. Then take the Understanding Exposure book or one of the tutorials on TP and just learn one thing at a time - pick aperture or shutter priority and mess with the settings to see what results you end up with. Experimentation is a good thing! :)

What camera are you going to get?
 
hailinguk, if you don't learn best by reading, then I'd suggest you skip 'understanding exposure', for now at least. I know everyone recommends it, but it's not a book for a complete beginner - in fact it leaves a novice behind in places and can be quite demanding. If you consider yourself a hands-on learner, then you have probably given yourself good advice re getting a good, patient teacher - it could save a lot of time.
 
Also if you're not into reading manuals. There are plenty of instructional DVDs on Ebay for specific cameras. At the very least they will help you understand the manual a bit better. Hope this helps and good luck.
 
Having done these two, go to a good camera store and "see for yourself" which camera you like, and what's in your budget.

As a beginner, don't over spend. Even if you can afford some of the best stuff, don't fork out a lot of money until you know for sure that this is something you want to invest in.

Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax .. they're all great and all give similar results. You'd have to be pushing your skills to the limit before any specific model, from a given brand, may give you an advantage .. if at all :shrug: ... which brand you choose is mainly down to what you like. The only thing to keep in mind, what do your friends use? It would be very helpful if you got something that your friends are using too, this way you can easily get tips from them.
 
Wail said:
Have a look at this thread ... The basics of photography .. this should get you up and walking.
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I've already read this thread!! Some of it made sense and some of it went over my head. I'm sure it would make more sense if I actually had a camera in front of me!

I think I'm leaning towards a Canon 450d from what I've read about it on here.

Wail - I've always wanted to learn photography but I've never had the time or the money and probably never will so I decided life is too short and I should just go for it!

Foggy - I'm in Fulham

:)
 
If you give us a shout when you get the camera I am sure I can try and sort a couple of hours to meet up and go through some basics with you.
 
Foggy said:
If you give us a shout when you get the camera I am sure I can try and sort a couple of hours to meet up and go through some basics with you.
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Very kind offer :thumbs:
 
Thank you so much Foggy, I would really appreciate that. I can't get over how lovely everyone is on this forum. It's made my day, especially after the worst experience ever earlier with my own wedding photographer.

Thanks to Feek too - I'll email you back in a moment.

x
 
Thanks Hypnotic :)
 
I'll be at Whipsnade, I LOVE telling people what to do :)

have a look at my site www.marack.net I might not be the right kind of person to advise but I will
 
That would be great, thanks Paul :)
 
Took me about a year to figure out f-stops ..I aint the quickest off the starting blocks :) if only someone was there to show me instead of just figuring it out.. I read all the articles and tutorials.. most used words i didn't even understand and that makes it a little self defeating. The fact i was getting reasonable pics (or so i thought) at the time made it harder to learn :)

If anyones in my area that has the same problem as OP (complete noob) then give us a shout..I dont know all the answers but i can get ya on the right track... happy to share.. no charge :)
 
You didn't offer me any advice last weekend
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I did-I told you to get Nikon gear, but would you listen:cuckoo:;)
 
I've been to the library and took out a couple of books and have also I've just downloaded the 30 day trial of photoshop cs4. I figured I'd try and get familiar with it and have a play whilst I'm saving for my camera.

Does anyone know any good online tutorials for photoshop?

Ta
 
I'm sure someone will be able to post some good links, I can't find my list atm, but for now just pop over to YouTube there is loads of photoshop stuff on there.
 
Thanks Hawker, I'll check it out.
 
Ahhh Denyerec, why don't you move down?! ;)
 
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