Where do I find the time

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ManVan

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Neil.
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O.K.

So I have the camera (D3100),

Bought Dummies guide to the D3100.

Bought 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson.

Subscribed to 'Digital Photo'.

Subscribed to 'Practical Photography'.

Bought 'The Photographers Eye' by Michael Freeman.

Bought 'Lightroom'

Bought 'Lightrooom 3' by Scott Kilby.

So the question is how am I supposed to find time to shoot with all this reading to do and I'm supposed to go to work on occasion:):):)

Can you all please stop telling me to buy things. My wifes had enough.:lol:
 
OK; how about piling the books and a couple of mags on the dining room table in a vaguely artistic heap & photographing those (dare not ask if you have a tripod -- don't want to incur your wife's wrath!).

Then if it doesn't look good, read the section in, say, the Freeman or the Dummies' about table-top photography and try again...!

Just a thought
 
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Great idea!

Now I'm off to buy a tripod and a head and a flash and some triggers and, and, and, and.

Its all your fault. Can I borrow your credit card for a couple of days:)
 
I'd ignore "the photographers eye" for now. It's a great book, but it's all theory and ideas about composition. I'd concentrate on the practical stuff first.

Best thing you can do to start, is just use that d3100 and shoot with it, then say, at 1000 photos, stop have a look and see what is or isn't working. Then start reading books and magazines, and see what you improve in your next 1000 pics.

The monthly mags are also usually full of ideas or photo projects to try, so have a go at those as well.

It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but the main thing to spend your time doing is using your camera!
 
I'm the same with my D3100, apart from the software. I enjoy doing the projects that you find in the mags. This is where I'm learning the most.
 
I think you need to get out and use the camera.
Don't worry about reading the books.
I would play with lightroom as its good software.

Don't run before you can walk. Start with using the camera, then once you know how it works then start reading the dummies guide.

Monthly mags are good as it gives you ideas and also how the shot was achieved.

Don't go buying anything else at present, enjoy your camera and enjoy your results.
 
ManVan said:
O.K.

So I have the camera (D3100),

Bought Dummies guide to the D3100.

Bought 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson.

Subscribed to 'Digital Photo'.

Subscribed to 'Practical Photography'.

Bought 'The Photographers Eye' by Michael Freeman.

Bought 'Lightroom'

Bought 'Lightrooom 3' by Scott Kilby.

So the question is how am I supposed to find time to shoot with all this reading to do and I'm supposed to go to work on occasion:):):)

Can you all please stop telling me to buy things. My wifes had enough.:lol:
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I know the feeling mate. Very similar to what I and I suppose a lot of people did. I find it hard to get the time to take pictures, how about read and learn everything! :bonk:
 
Thanks for all your replies.

There seems to be a bit of a theme going on here - Get Out and Shoot!

I'll save the books for the long winter nights headed our way.

Regards
Neil.
 
iamchrisphoto said:
I'd ignore "the photographers eye" for now. It's a great book, but it's all theory and ideas about composition.

You're right, it is a great book but can be a bit heavy going for a raw novice. Good bedtime read though, sends me off in 5 minutes.
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One of the hardest things for myself is finding a decent subject matter to actually take pictures of. Sure we've got fields etc around us, but at the end of the day, my pics are therefore just grass and sky. 'Seeing' a shot that's not immediately obvious is a trick i'd like to have up my sleeve.
 
@prize

I was the same at first, then something just clicked and started seeing the potential in everything! There's a wealth of things you can photograph in your lounge! Your partner/kids/pets, ornaments, loads...hell when I was experimenting with DOF and the different metering modes I put my feet up on the coffee table, and photographed them! Odd, but it really helped me understand the principles, as I could see the difference one setting had from another straight away!

Like others have said, best way to learn is to use the camera and shoot! And read the manual inside out! Then read it again!
 
Sounds like a familiar story.

I bought the D3100.

Went to new York and bought a 35mm f/1.8

Came back disappointed with my shots (the camera was only a month old by now).

Bought an issue of digital SLR magazine. Read cover to cover.

Realised I needed to think more about my shots. Im good with the technical detail (aperture, ISO, exposure, histograms) it was other elements that were missing from the NY shots.

Kept a few things in mind when shooting again (the second thousand) mostly compositional like rule of thirds.

Bought two more issues of DSLR Mag...

Realised there's been some improvement but still more to go.

And here now with my copy of 'the photographers eye' arriving on Monday.

Still need to get the tripod though...
 
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Have to agree forget the books and get out and take some shots. Get to know the camera a bit and then you will have an understanding not just of what it can do but what you do or don't need to concentrate on learning and in what order. What about a local camera club ? though there might be a membership fee whcih strictly speaking isn't really a new purchase lol
 
Lots of good advice coming through and I thank you all for that.

Managed to get out yesterday and worked hard at looking, really looking for opportunities.

Had a great time, found sheep stuck in a hedge, tractors, abandoned cars, interesting architecture and much much more.

For now the books are closed although I will continue with Lightroom as I now have shots to process.

Thanks for the inspiration.
 
I think the suggestion of 1000 shots between reviewing work and looking for ways to improve is quite a useful way of doing it.

Ive found improvement in the quality of shots for me has come naturally in each set. With some learning in between ultimately where I've had shots that don't work it helps to be able to know why they didn't work and what could've made them better then iterate.
 
ManVan said:
Lots of good advice coming through and I thank you all for that.

Managed to get out yesterday and worked hard at looking, really looking for opportunities.

Had a great time, found sheep stuck in a hedge, tractors, abandoned cars, interesting architecture and much much more.

For now the books are closed although I will continue with Lightroom as I now have shots to process.

Thanks for the inspiration.
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the books will be a good read over the dark winter months but i wouldnt be too concerned, i tend to use them more as reference guides than cover to cover, for example, i take a shot and i cant get it right ill look into why it wasnt right and how to fix it rather than reading everything and taking no pictures.
 
mc_mclovin said:
@prize

I was the same at first, then something just clicked and started seeing the potential in everything! There's a wealth of things you can photograph in your lounge! Your partner/kids/pets, ornaments, loads...hell when I was experimenting with DOF and the different metering modes I put my feet up on the coffee table, and photographed them! Odd, but it really helped me understand the principles, as I could see the difference one setting had from another straight away!

Like others have said, best way to learn is to use the camera and shoot! And read the manual inside out! Then read it again!
Click to expand...

Thanks for that mate. I think I may attempt to take a photo each day....kinda like a 365. That should help me get better perhaps?
 
Prize78 said:
Thanks for that mate. I think I may attempt to take a photo each day....kinda like a 365. That should help me get better perhaps?
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A 365 is great idea. I enjoyed it so much, I'm doing it again. (I'm on about day 430 something now) Just make sure you take a camera with you everywhere. Doesn't have to be your Dslr, just a compact will do.

But having to share a photo a day will really get you thinking creatively. Or bring you to tears with frustration when you cant find anything to photograph! :) But it's still a really rewarding project todo and you'll learn a lot about photography and using your camera too.
 
Yeah, I have a compact as well as my dslr so I could just throw it in my bag when I go to work etc?.....
 
My advice - Lock up the books, get the camera out and start playing around with settings.

Best way! :D
 
Well here's my thinking.

Read the camera manual cover to cover. Then go out and shoot.

I read somewhere about a class that were taken to a field and told to take 10 steps and find things to photograph. There is a wealth of things to photograph and you will only improve by taking more photographs.
 
Firstly, stop buying stuff. Use what you have in more creative ways, once its *REALLY* limiting you, then think about buying more stuff.

Just go out and do it, I probably spent a day reading, then just went out and did it.
 
punkuate said:
Firstly, stop buying stuff. [...]

Just go out and do it ...
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Pretty much, sums it all up mate.

As long as you (roughly/vaguely) what each button on the camera is supposed to do, take it out with you and go for a drive mate. Then, make a hunch and test out practically the functionality. You live it and learn it.
 
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