Looking for some opinions

[Frankiex]

Hi there,

I'm a little nervous coming on here, maybe I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Basically I have recently realised that I would like to get into photography. When I say that I don't mean I just woke up one day and decided I wanted to be a photographer. It just all makes sense now. I have always been the ones to take pictures. I love taking pictures, saving memories. Particularly landscapes and beautiful places. If I see a beautiful sunset or an intresting tree I will take a picture. I can't believe it hasn't clicked before! Not everyone takes pictures of trees! I've tried to show people my pictures and they never seem to have my enthusiasm.

This weekend I went down to bournemouth, I forgot my camara and I was so frustrated using my blackberry to take pictures, it just didn't capture what I was seeing. And that was when it all made sense, I would love to be a photographer.

Now I'm looking at a beginner course in September and have been reading books and looking at people's work. Some of the techniques people use I have already been doing without realising. Like lines and the rule of third. And all I want to do now is get my camara and go out and take pictures.

Now I'm not here thinking I'm any good. I have no idea If I have potential or not. And that is where I'd love some people's opinions good or bad. I'm sorry if this post is in the wrong thread, I'm brand new.

I am on my iPad and not sure if I can put pictures on here with it so below are some links to photos I have taken in the past. Some I am proud of, like the boy in the water, some I just want to give an idea on what pictures I take. Please keep in mind that I have taken these pictures with a phone or simple digital camara. At the time I was taking these pictures I was doing it for fun and I know they are not professional looking. None of these pictures were taken with skill or technique. So be kind but honest. And thank you for any feedback.

Also if I was to buy a DLSR would something like the canon EOS 600d any good for a beginner, I couldn't afford above that.

Sorry about this long post.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...t=a.10150884666250463.769904.719600462&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...t=a.10150666841940463.716161.719600462&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...t=a.10150666925560463.716200.719600462&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...t=a.10150666925560463.716200.719600462&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=40446925462&set=a.40439005462.118055.719600462&type=3

 

[Barks]

First of all welcome to TP. Generally speaking we're a friendly and helpful bunch so don't be too worried.

Second of all I'd recommend you to stop worrying about "being any good" and the like. Just enjoy yourself and take the photos you like taking in the way you like taking them. Photography is an art and like all art forms it's hugely subjective. You might take a photo you love, everyone else might think it's crap, but who cares? You like it.

As for the 600D I'd say it's more than acceptable for a beginner. Personally I'd recommend perhaps even going for something even lower down/cheaper that that, and buying used. I can readily recommend www.mpbphotographic.co.uk for buying from used. That would give you money left over to get more or better quality lenses than you'll get with the 18-55mm kit lens you'll probably get with your 600D. My opinion is that in terms of image quality good lenses are far more important than expensive camera bodies.

 

[shaylou]

I second that, do not worry about being any good because half the fun is the never ending challenge of getting better.

You have been shooting with what ever you had and have had fun with it so with a bit of learning you are going to love photography. One thing I will point out is the fact that thus far your camera has been doing all the work for you (exposure/focus...) and this is something that you will be taking control over. There is a learning curve so be ready to delete a lot of pics and be prepared ask a lot of questions about why this pic did not come out how you wanted it too. The forum is a great way to learn and get advise on how to get better, everyone is friendly and eager to help. I do not know how much you understand about exposure but it is the core to photography and if you would like some tutorial links just let me know.

lastly I wanted to say that I have the 600D and it has been a great camera, perfect for beginners.

 

[Frankiex]

Thanks for your replies, first step now is to find a camera!