TexasCHLforum.com

philip964 wrote:O
1. Shoot film. Your digital pictures unless printed in black and white probably won't be here for your grandkids.
2. Focus and properly expose. That's much easier now with digital, but see above.

I just want to point out that you can print your digital pictures if you are so inclined. You don't to shoot film to get prints.

Charles L. Cotton wrote: I need input from you guys about an idea for the 2011 TexasCHLforum Day at PSC. Would it be realistic to have a 1/5 to 2 hr. seminar on photography for us novices, with an emphasis on shooting or action photos? I think a lot of shooters would like to know how to get the best out of those settings when they take family and/or friends to the range or hunting.
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I have both taught and attended photography seminars and I would say that 2 hours is about right for a class on the very basics. It takes about 30 minutes to explain how photography works, aperture, shutter speed and the effect they have on the picture taking process. From there you can take it a bunch of different directions. I would probably spend an additional 30 minutes talking about the different kinds of equipment and how to select what is right for you in a brand agnostic way. I would then spend the next 30 minutes explaining how to work the basic functions of an SLR effectively and some very simple information on the use of light in composition leaving the last 30 minutes for questions. In my experience, in a total beginner class nearly all the questions will be about equipment.

But that is just me, there are lots of other options. I think a lot of people would use 2 hours to talk about almost nothing but composition, others may talk about use of light. etc, etc...

austinrealtor wrote: 1. Older DSLRs aren't "obsolete" - they still work perfectly well and take great photos. But like computers a "bigger better" version comes along every 18 months or so.

When I said "obsolete" I was not trying to imply that they could no longer be used. The point I was trying to make was to spend your money more on glass and less on the camera body. I actually advocate buying used older generation camera bodies.

First of all, one thing people frequently overlook when set out to purchase a DSLR is that the quality of the lenses is far more important than the camera body itself. Most digital camera bodies become obsolete within 12-18 months after introduction. A good quality lens will last you 10 or more years. Good quality lenses are expensive and they are an investment but the impact they will have on your photography is staggering. Don't be afraid to buy a used camera body and pair it up with a high quality lens.

You should stick with Canon or Nikon. Not because they are better or because they have some secret technology that others don't but because they dominate the market and have a staggering array of lenses and accessories. With a DSLR you are not buying a camera you are buying into a camera system.

Now, for the important part. In order to make a good recommendation we need to understand how you are planning to use the camera. The equipment needed for a landscape photographer, a sports photographer, a wedding photographer and a guy who wants some good shots of the kids in the backyard is way different. Give us an idea of the most common situations in which you will be taking pictures and I am sure we can provide some highly specific recommendations.