The two most frequently asked questions I get asked are, “How did you learn photography?” and ”How can I learn how to use my camera?” Last Summer I taught a photography class for Teenagers, which was so much fun. I am not planning on doing it again, just because the lack of time I will have this Summer. I also get asked many times if I would teach a class for parents. At this time, the answer is no. If only there was more time in my day. For now, I can’t possibly squeeze anything more in. However, I do know of a few ways you can learn how to use that fancy camera you have. If I were just starting out I would sign up for one of the following classes. Although, I personally have not taken them, I have heard good things about the courses and the people teaching them.
Ashley Ann’s Snap Shop. You can find out about it here.
Tammy Mitchell’s online course you can read about it here.
Nicole Hill’s online classes. Not only does she have Photography 101 class, but she has other classses such as Photoshop. Find info here.
Kamee June has offered some fun workshops in the past called Mamarazzi. These sound great. You get to go and learn in person by the talented Kamee. It is worth checking out to see if she is offering them in the future. (Kamee lives in California and offers them here but I am sure there are local photographers all over the country that either offer parent workshops like this or would do a personal tutoring if you asked.)
These are all ladies that I would feel comfortable referring people to so I thought I would pass the info along here.
To me, photography isn’t just a way to document our lives. It is a way of expression, an escape, and a way to create. Ten years ago my goal was to really learn how to use my camera and do it well. To take breathtaking photos. But ten years ago I had a film camera and it was hard and expensive to be daring and try new things. The greatest thing about digital cameras is you can play with your settings and take pictures and it is free. Not only that you can see instantly if things are exposed right and how the shot looks. Now is the best time to learn how to shoot manually. Learn what your camera can do and get the shots you are dreaming of.
Do not feel like you have to learn it all at once. When I was first starting out with my digital Dslr and Photoshop I set the goal that I would learn something each day. Each new thing did not have to be big, but rather, just something. My advice to those who want to learn how to take great shots… Practice. Take a lot of pictures! Then look at them on the computer. What do you like? Style? Angle? Lighting? Take pictures everyday of everyday things. Try to learn just one new thing each day. You can do it.
There is something about learning a new skill that is rejuvenating. I do not believe that as humans we were built to sit still. But rather, we were created to keep learning and moving forward. So take a leap, learn something new!