What Would Be Helpful

[MarkBarbieri]

Several people posted in the "Too Many Good Photos" that this site has helped them with their photography. In that spirit, what would people like to see more of. What posts would help you be a better photographer?

More "How To Shoot x" threads? More "How to pick a camera" threads? More threads on general photography knowledge? More threads on non-obvious camera features like mirror lockup, flash exposure lock, exposure compensation?

Anything you find particularly helpful? Particularly annoying?

[DizneyNutz]

Along with ALL the helpful information EVERYONE has provided on here, I find it most helpful to know what everyone has used as their camera settings and the tools they have used to accomplish this. Thanks to all of you knowledgeable photographers for sharing this info. I know I have gained some knowledge from you all.

[bostran1]

I would like to share some knowledge on composition. Such as rule of thirds, etc. I don't know enough on how force a food composition from every scene

[MarkBarbieri]

How useful would it be to have a series in which a person posts a RAW file and people post process it, posting the steps they took and why the did them?

[bostran1]

I would like to share some knowledge on composition. Such as rule of thirds, etc. I don't know enough on how force a good composition from every scene

[DVC Jen]

More "How To Shoot x" threads? More "How to pick a camera" threads? More threads on general photography knowledge? More threads on non-obvious camera features like mirror lockup, flash exposure lock, exposure compensation?



I would LOVE to see some threads on mirror lockup, flash anything and exposure compensation.

Also maybe more threads or information on portrait photography (lighting, posing - and please not just a link to those really cheesy <sorry my opinion here> poses that we have all seen the link for a million times).


I know those are not directly disney related - but hey - we can stray from disney a bit - right???

[DVC Jen]

How useful would it be to have a series in which a person posts a RAW file and people post process it, posting the steps they took and why the did them?

that would not just be interesting, educational, but FUN.

[EpcotKilterFan]

More "How To Shoot x" threads? More "How to pick a camera" threads? More threads on general photography knowledge? More threads on non-obvious camera features like mirror lockup, flash exposure lock, exposure compensation?

Anything you find particularly helpful? Particularly annoying?

The "How to shoot...." threads were incredibly helpful on my last trip. I printed them out and would take them out during the appropriate show/situation. This really helped me get some great shots and I did learn from them!

Not sure what the next "how to..." would be, but whatever it is I will use it!

Thanks!!!
Debbie

[AndrewWG]

Not sure what the next "how to..." would be, but whatever it is I will use it!

Thanks!!!
Debbie

How about "how to get DW and DD to WANT to stop and stand around for 20 minutes while I compose the perfect shot". Now that thread I could really use! :lmao:

Of course, that thread will never exist due to the impossibility of it, but I would like to see some that are a little "advanced" like mirror lockup. I personally use mirror lockup but I don't know what more than half of my custom functions on the 30D do. If I know what they do, I don't know in what situations they would be useful.

[WeLoveNemo]

I would love to tap into the expertise here on the board regarding two things. The first involves how a great shot was achieved - show the photo, give details on the camera settings and the thought processes behind that picture.

The second, as previously mentioned, is a description of the post-shot steps involved in processing a great picture taken in RAW format.

Thanks for asking!

[firsttimemom]

I would def. love some tips on the RAW processing. I had the capabilities w/ my old G5 but never used it. Now that I have my xti, I'd like to start using it. And while we're talking about post processing, I'd love to see the 'before' shots. How much cropping was done, lighting and color enhancements, etc.

[PoohJen]

A true amateur, I have at least learned some things from the very talented and generous posters here that have allowed me to venture off the automatic settings of my Rebel XT from time to time.

However, I will not allow myself to upgrade to the 40d until I learn, really, how to use my camera more fully.

Due to lack of time (mine) and, truthfully, lack of availability locally, I haven't been able to take a photography class. I have tried to read books, but I really need someone to SHOW me and say something like: "Today we are studying white balance. Here is what it is. Here are some sample photos. Here is how you set your camera. Now go out and practice and show me what you take and I'll tell you what went right/wrong"

So, maybe a tutorial in the form of one thread per topic (sub topic, as needed), really broken down to basics in newbie-speak. Where we could learn, ask questions, go out on assignment and check back in.

Topics include, white balance, exposure, flash use basics, aperture, shutter speed. how to read that histogrammy thing and why. :rolleyes1

Mark, thanks to you and all who have posted GREAT tutorials/text here in the past!:goodvibes

[Michele]

Due to lack of time (mine) and, truthfully, lack of availability locally, I haven't been able to take a photography class. I have tried to read books, but I really need someone to SHOW me and say something like: "Today we are studying white balance. Here is what it is. Here are some sample photos. Here is how you set your camera. Now go out and practice and show me what you take and I'll tell you what went right/wrong"

So, maybe a tutorial in the form of one thread per topic (sub topic, as needed), really broken down to basics in newbie-speak. Where we could learn, ask questions, go out on assignment and check back in.

Topics include, white balance, exposure, flash use basics, aperture, shutter speed. how to read that histogrammy thing and why. :rolleyes1

Mark, thanks to you and all who have posted GREAT tutorials/text here in the past!:goodvibes


This sounds awesome to me too!!!

[Lizziejane]

I would love help with RAW, second curtain flash, mirror lock up and white balance. I'd also love to see a three step process:

1. A tutorial
2. An assignment
3. Upon completion of the assignment, posting both pre and post processed shots with description of all post-processing steps

[Gdad]

I would love help with RAW, second curtain flash, mirror lock up and white balance. I'd also love to see a three step process:

1. A tutorial
2. An assignment
3. Upon completion of the assignment, posting both pre and post processed shots with description of all post-processing steps

I would like to see sort of a collective shoot as well- A tutorial- or a few links to existing ones out there- and an assingnment over maybe a 2 week period of some specific aspect of photography such as long exposure- or off camera flash- etc. Then people could post either general discussion on the topic and/or their examples taken during the assignment period for critique and feedback. Posting a before/after processing shot and a narrative on their process with the examples would also be a benefit. I would definately enjoy participating in something like that.

[AndrewWG]

I would love help with RAW, second curtain flash, mirror lock up and white balance. I'd also love to see a three step process:

1. A tutorial
2. An assignment
3. Upon completion of the assignment, posting both pre and post processed shots with description of all post-processing steps

I like that idea too! That would be fun and educational. It is one thing to read "how to shoot" threads, but it is a completely different thing to actually put that info to use.

[steery1]

1. A tutorial
2. An assignment
3. Upon completion of the assignment, posting both pre and post processed shots with description of all post-processing steps

Some photoshop tutorials would be great, incorporating the above. :thumbsup2

[Michele]

It almost seems like two levels of tutorials might be needed.

There are newbies who would need a beginners level with tutorials like white balance, depth of field, how to read a histogram.

Then there are more advanced topics for those who have already mastered the basics, like mirror lockup, second curtain flash.

Personally, I don't even know what these are when I read them so I would definitely be in the beginners class. But once I've finished the lessons or assignments in a beginners section, stepping on to more adventurous lessons would be fun.

[Pea-n-Me]

Well I've learned a lot here, too. And what caught my attention a year ago would be totally different today, so I guess you could say I've grown and expanded my interests.

What I'd most like to know about right now is "lenses". I'm about to buy a dSLR and I'm not sure whether to buy the kit lenses or buy the body only and get the lenses I'd be most likely to use. :confused3 So a lens primer would be tops on my wish list.

Neat thread idea. I'm sure this is going to run the gamut, but it's all good. I'm sure even experienced photographers will learn things on every subject somehow.

[Pea-n-Me]

I would like to share some knowledge on composition. Such as rule of thirds, etc. I don't know enough on how force a good composition from every scene
I was interested as well. Here's a previous thread on the subject: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1414269&referrerid=70088

[wkrider]

A true amateur, I have at least learned some things from the very talented and generous posters here that have allowed me to venture off the automatic settings of my Rebel XT from time to time.

However, I will not allow myself to upgrade to the 40d until I learn, really, how to use my camera more fully.

Due to lack of time (mine) and, truthfully, lack of availability locally, I haven't been able to take a photography class. I have tried to read books, but I really need someone to SHOW me and say something like: "Today we are studying white balance. Here is what it is. Here are some sample photos. Here is how you set your camera. Now go out and practice and show me what you take and I'll tell you what went right/wrong"

So, maybe a tutorial in the form of one thread per topic (sub topic, as needed), really broken down to basics in newbie-speak. Where we could learn, ask questions, go out on assignment and check back in.

Topics include, white balance, exposure, flash use basics, aperture, shutter speed. how to read that histogrammy thing and why. :rolleyes1

Mark, thanks to you and all who have posted GREAT tutorials/text here in the past!:goodvibes

All of the above and RAW talk. I am slowly teaching myself but I would love to hear how everyone else is doing. Thanks for this thread and thanks to all who have assisted use "newbies" with all the questions we have.:thumbsup2

[Groucho]

I think the RAW idea might be a neat idea - my thinking would be, however, to post a "failed" raw photo as see how well it can be improved. Ie, a shot that's too bright, too dark, bad colors, etc. A few of us could take a crack and see how much we can improve it and perhaps a few tips on what we did.

Of course, I say this while I already have a few hundred raw photos completely untouched in Lightroom waiting for me. :teeth:

There's also the issue of where to store the raw file. I have no problem since I have my own web host, but that could be difficult for those who don't have a proper web space available.

[jann1033]

i like the assignment idea, maybe each month start week one with a thread on whatever topic( ie flash exposure, not that i use that one but just an eg) followed by a couple weeks to work on taking photos relating to that topic then a week or two to post those and how we did what we did and make constructive comments about what others did. basically like handicap's monthly assignment, but rather than subject use a technique with info about that technique so everyone is able to know what to do.


just a side thought, i like the "post your pic" type threads fine, they're fun, but they don't really teach all that much....i think i benefit more when there is a little more in depth technique talk, we've gotten away from that i think some .and since we have the equipment sticky we could probably use that more and have more instuctional stuff??????

[JR6ooo4]

I would like to see sort of a collective shoot as well- A tutorial- or a few links to existing ones out there- and an assingnment over maybe a 2 week period of some specific aspect of photography such as long exposure- or off camera flash- etc. Then people could post either general discussion on the topic and/or their examples taken during the assignment period for critique and feedback. Posting a before/after processing shot and a narrative on their process with the examples would also be a benefit. I would definately enjoy participating in something like that.

I would appreciate the oportunity to participate in something like this as well.
I would just like to add that two weeks per category would be nice.

Mikeeee

[bear_mom]

So, maybe a tutorial in the form of one thread per topic (sub topic, as needed), really broken down to basics in newbie-speak. Where we could learn, ask questions, go out on assignment and check back in.


I've been lurking here since Christmas - dh got me a dRebel for Christmas and I have been trying to learn how to use it, but have been having trouble getting from the book to real life applications. This would be great!

[10dedfish]

I would like to see these as well. Ive posted some of my pics, but most of the things Ive done have been based on some digital photography books that I have read. Unfortunately, I have less time than talent right now. I am usually lucky if I can get out once or twice a month to try and take "good" photos, so anything that can help me improve would be great.

matt

[DueyDooDah]

Well, Mark. Why haven't we started yet? :rotfl2:

[iluvdisnee]

How useful would it be to have a series in which a person posts a RAW file and people post process it, posting the steps they took and why the did them?

I would LOVE to have a series like this! I am so hesitant to get into raw even though once I take the leap I'm going to LOVE it!

[DebºoºS]

I would like to see sort of a collective shoot as well- A tutorial- or a few links to existing ones out there- and an assingnment over maybe a 2 week period of some specific aspect of photography such as long exposure- or off camera flash- etc. Then people could post either general discussion on the topic and/or their examples taken during the assignment period for critique and feedback. Posting a before/after processing shot and a narrative on their process with the examples would also be a benefit.

This sort of thing would be very helpful for me. Long exposures particularly. I'd even drag the tripod out of the closet for it.
I just want to say that I've been inspired and learned so much from everyone on this board. TU:flower3:

[senecabeach]

Originally Posted by PoohJen

Due to lack of time (mine) and, truthfully, lack of availability locally, I haven't been able to take a photography class. I have tried to read books, but I really need someone to SHOW me and say something like: "Today we are studying white balance. Here is what it is. Here are some sample photos. Here is how you set your camera. Now go out and practice and show me what you take and I'll tell you what went right/wrong"

So, maybe a tutorial in the form of one thread per topic (sub topic, as needed), really broken down to basics in newbie-speak. Where we could learn, ask questions, go out on assignment and check back in.

Topics include, white balance, exposure, flash use basics, aperture, shutter speed. how to read that histogrammy thing and why.

Mark, thanks to you and all who have posted GREAT tutorials/text here in the past!


This sounds awesome to me too!!!

Triple Ditto this Mark and "Many Thanks" for asking !! ;)