Yahoo Answers is shutting down on 4 May 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Dazy
Dazy asked in Arts & HumanitiesVisual ArtsPhotography · 9 years ago

I need to teach myself Professional Digital Photography. Help?

I love taking pictures with my Canon EOS Mark II. But I don't completely understand how to use the camera. Right now I am just using the camera on the auto modes. The instruction book doesn't go into the technical stuff. I need a book or website where I can l learn everything A-Z about Digital Photography. Everything that I would learn in school. I do not have the time or money to go to school right now. Plus if I teach myself now and I ever decide to go to school I will be ahead of the game.

Update:

Of coarse I know what kind of camera I have. I was at work when I wrote the question so I did it fast. It is a Canon 5D Mark II. I do take good pictures. But not consistently. Some of them come out clear but some are slightly blurry. I take pictures of bands in clubs with lasers and all different kinds of lighting going on. I shoot most of my pictures in AV (with ISO at 6400 or 3200 depending how dark the club is) because bands move and jump around a lot. I use the image stabilizer too. Also I would like to figure out how to set the apertures myself instead of using the Auto settings all the time. One of my biggest problems is getting all 4 band members to be in focus since the the drummer is in the back he is usually a little blurry. This is where I just can't figure out how to set the apertures. Another challenge I face is the the fog machine (my worst enemy). If anyone has any advise on dealing with fog I would greatly appreciate it. I do get a lot of complements on my pictur

Update 2:

I'm not sure why it got cut off. I do get a lot of complements on my pictures. They are a lot better than pictures other people take with their compact point and shoot camera's. Also I'm using a 430EX speedlite. I prefer not to use a flash but if I don't use one in the clubs some of my pictures come out slightly orange. Sometimes if there's enough light in the club I can get away without using it since my camera can take pictures in very low light. I would like to learn how to use the setting on my camera and their terminology. Instead of relying on the auto settings all the time. Photography terminology is all very confusing to me. I'm more hands on. That's why I need a source that will explain everything for me. Thanks everyone!

12 Answers

Relevance
  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favourite answer

    If you don't even know how to use the camera then you have a long long way to go before the word "professional" should be entering into anything you do.

    Read the manual to learn the camera controls and read a book on basic photography to find out about the basics.

    Then work upwards from there.

  • mister-damus
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Question/Comment: "I need to teach myself Professional Digital Photography."

    Answer: Actually, basic photography would be more appropriate (not really such a thing as 'professional photography skills' other than knowing the basics and using them well)

    Q/C: "The instruction book doesn't go into the technical stuff."

    A: Of course it does. You just have to actually read it. If my canon eos rebel instruction book goes into detail about depth of field and shutter speed and aperture, etc, (even the instruction books for the old manual film cameras go into this), then I'm sure a fancy camera such as yours also covers this.

    Q/C: "I need a book or website where I can l learn everything A-Z about Digital Photography."

    A: Film or digital - doesn't really matter. Most of the fundamentals are applicable to both. Just go to a library and get a book on general photography.

    Q/C: "Everything that I would learn in school."

    A: What I learned in school is that I actually have to put in some effort at learning (not just expect it to be handed to me on a silver platter)

    Q/C: "I do not have the time or money to go to school right now."

    A: And yet you have the money to have a fancy camera like an eos Mark II.

    Q/C: "Plus if I teach myself now and I ever decide to go to school I will be ahead of the game."

    A: Why would you go to school if you just asked for a website that would teach you everything you learned in school? Would it only be to show off to the other students?

    Q/C: "Also I would like to figure out how to set the apertures myself instead of using the Auto settings all the time."

    A: Read your instruction book - it tells you how.

    You can't control the fog. Neither can the camera. You're out of luck there. Just work with it.

    Source(s): common sense
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Did a lot of learning on my own between July 1971 and Sept. 1976 when I enrolled in a 2 semester non-credit adult continuing education photography class. Learned more on my own. From Aug. 1978 until May 1982 taught a basic (emphasis on basic) 6 week 3 hrs. on a Fri. night photography/darkroom class for a long defunct local camera store. Still learning even now.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Well, there is no such thing as a Canon EOS Mark II. There is a 5D MKII and a 1D MKII. Learning the name of the camera you're using would be a good place to start. Go to your local library & read some of the basic photography books they have. Practice practice practice. Get your work critiqued by professionals and then practice some more. It will be a VERY long time before you'll be able to take "professional pictures."

  • ?
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    Here's a guide to use manual mode ; http://www.digital-photography-school.com/switch-t...

    Av is aperture priority.You control the aperture, the camera controls the rest.Good for controlling the depth of field and blurring the background. Tv is shutter speed priority.You control only the shutter speed.Great for long exposures, action shots..etc

    Here are some tips for beginners ; http://www.digital-photography-school.com/digital-...

    I'd definitely join some kind of club,Flickr group, forum or community to help you get tips.

    Keep on shooting and you'll also learn some you can't learn on sites or books..

    Here are some books ; http://www.digital-photography-school.com/12-great...

  • ?
    5 years ago

    Try Trick Photography Special Effects - http://tinyurl.com/lMfnmJki5d

  • ?
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    I'd start with a book called "Understanding exposure". It'll give you the basics. From there practice. ALOT. Get some tutelage from a seasoned photographer if you can. Shooting technique is a very hands-on thing. You truly learn and get better at it by doing it and studying your results, rather than reading about it.

    Have fun

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    This online photography courses have been designed to help you absorb as much photographic knowledge and new photographic skills as possible. https://tr.im/BqaIv

    The advanced teaching methods make it easier than ever to learn the new skills you need, whilst keeping it easy and simple for your skill-level.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    1

    Source(s): Ultimate Photography Guide http://photographymasterclass.enle.info/?jP7l
  • Rizzles
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    A crap load of YouTube videos. Type in photography tips on YouTube and knock yourself out. It's also a lot of trial and error. The best way to improve is to shoot a lot.

  • Show more answers (2)
Still have questions? Get answers by asking now.