So my wife wants to learn....

[NateNLogansDad]

So, a couple of weeks ago my darling wife mentions to me that she would like to learn a bit about the art of photography. My first thought was "Oh thank you Jesus!" I started picturing new lenses to share and a new desktop to do edits together and new Christmas ideas.....I got downright giddy! My second thought was, "Oh crap she has an awesome eye for great photo's and from now on I'll be shown up wherever we go!"

Even though I'll need to eventually take lessons from her, I hopped on ebay and ordered "Understanding Exposure" that night and it showed up at my door this weekend. Tonight, she began reading it and the F stops stumped her a little bit. So being the good and anxious hubby that I am I sprung into action and grabbed some lenses!

I walked her through the exposure triangle and why you would want to slow down or speed up your shutter speed. I may have gotten a little too excited because she had the deer-in-the-headlights look when I finally stopped. With all the seriousness in the world, she turns and says "This is not what I wanted. I just want to take a picture." "I'm not planning on ever using a tripod." and my favorite....."I was just looking for a mindless hobby, there's no way I'm going to want to think about every shot like that."

I need help! My fish keeps nibbling but won't take the hook.

 

[SrisonS]

How about getting her to focus on different ways to compose a shot. Personally, I think that's one of the most important things to learn about, and really show a change. You can even set the camera on Auto for that.

 

[photo_chick]

My husband has actually had photography classes and understands the basic concepts but he refuses to take the camera off auto. He loves shooting with our DD's point and shoot since he discovered it's panoramic mode. I tried to get him using my camera with a fisheye, but he didn't go for it. He likes to just shoot and not think about it. And there's nothing wrong with that if they're happy with what they end up with.

And it's funny, on facebook all our family oohed and ahhhed over his pano's from our last trip. No one even clicked like on one of my shots. *sniff*

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Roll with it. Show her how to set the camera in full auto. There is enough to learn even in auto mode. When she's ready for more, she'll start asking questions. That's when you start teaching.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

How about getting her to focus on different ways to compose a shot. Personally, I think that's one of the most important things to learn about, and really show a change. You can even set the camera on Auto for that.

Honestly, she's a natural at composition and it's an area I tend to struggle in. I can see slight improvements in my own pictures but if she get's serious, I will need her to take me out for a photo shoot and break it down for me

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Well, I let her doze off for a few before the Phillies game (she also goes into work soon) and now that her eyes have un-crossed, I found out that she's only reading the intro I thought she was a little further in and wasn't getting what Bryan Peterson was trying to explain. Looks like there's hope for me....I mean her yet

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Be careful what you ask for!! Unless you have an unlimited bank account, it could be costly! Everytime I find a new toy it ends up costing me twice, once for me and once for her kit! We each have the same camera, Pentax K10, (sharing never seems to work) and now that I have purchased a K5, I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall and her to demand one also. I always have to ensure that both kits have the same focal lengths (aka lenses) covered. It never fails that when I need a specific lens for a situation, its on her camera! Good luck!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I know, but she really needs a hobby and if it's something we could do together I'm all for it. Plus, who knows, maybe I'll be in some of the vacation pictures in a few years!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I was in your wife's shoes last year. The T2i camera we bought? It was originally for DH; not me. He doesn't get a look-in now.

I got hooked by participating in the scavenger hunt that Pea-n-Me organises. Show your DW the Fall hunt list and see if she bites. The items are so 'everyday' that if she sets the camera in Auto modes, she'll take a picture.

Once she starts posting and checking out the pictures that everyone else gets, she might get the motivation and incentive to improve and learn......particularly if she wants to take pictures with (spooky) trails.



Oh....and my DH? I'm trying to convince him that we could get a 7D for me and he could get (t)his (camera) body back....anyone want to help me get my fish to do more than nibble?