photography classes or books

[phoj69]

I recently purchased a Cannon T2I for my wife's birthday and we are both very new to photography and I was hoping someone could recommend a good book or class that we might be able to take to learn how to actually use the camera correctly. We have a baby on the way and that is the majority of the reason why we bought the camera and we used it a ton since we got it but I know there are allot of features on the camera that we are probably not using correctly or to its proper ability. any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[alloyd1170]

Start by reading your manual and carry it with you so you can look things up. You need to know what the buttons and settings can do for you.

Take a look at Scott Kelby's books as well (series of 3 or 4). He offers good tips without all the technical jargon. There are examples of photos as well as specific techniques for certain types of shots.

Check your local community college. Ours offers a basic course on up to a certification course (the basic plus hands on training in wedding, lighting, photoshop, etc). They also offer classes in composition, and creativity. There are online courses available as well, but I prefer the in class/hands-on training.

Finally, get out there and practice practice practice! I'm not one for only reading to learn. I am a hands-on learner and taught myself how to use my camera by trial and error. I looked at photos in magazines/postcards, etc and tried to duplicate the shot. The best thing about digital is that you can take lots of shots, and you can toss the ones you don't like.

 

[Mister Skellington]

The Kelby books are good. They also have a "field guide" series by Charlotte K. Lowrie that helped me alot.
I took a basic class that helped some as well.
The main thing as mentioned is practice. Rather than just shooting though...shooting with a method or approach. This is why a book like the field guide helps as it does have practice exercises.

 

[SrisonS]

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is a book I'd highly recommend. It really helped me a lot when I first started my learning process. It was also suggested by a lot of people from various forums.

But like the others have said.... Just shoot like hell!!!! Also, I've found that looking at other people's pictures helps to really see what makes a shot great. Compare your pictures of similar subjects/conditions, and find out what you can improve upon.

 

[photo_chick]

Understanding Exposure is a good book to start with. Really, all there is to using any camera is learning what the variables are (ISO, shutter speed, aperture and light) and how they work together to make the exposure. Once you understand that you'll be pretty well prepared knowledge wise to tackle any every day situation.