any photographers around care to throw me some advice?
 

I have a growing interest in photography.

Thing is i strongly appreciate the technology and convenience of digital, but i very much prefer the quality of film.

It also sucks that i have abolutely no need to be taking pictures! I dont have kids, dont go to many events, nothing special that id like to snap pics of.

Im more into taking pics of people and events in my life, very little interest in the "art" of the whole thing.

I have a long line of photographers in my family, everything from combat photography and newspaper photographers, to society and sports photographers.

I think i have inheritted the "eye" for a shot, and i get compliments on my photo's all the time.

where do i go with this?

I dont have the time or money to spare to get into it very seriously, but i absolutely love it!

PS,
I have also discoverred that i have no interest in video! Purchased a $900 video cam and all i use it for is taking still pics to the memory stick lol

Its easy enough to sit back and ignore this possible true passion, but have any of you had similar experiences, and can possibly make some suggestions?

thanks.

you should buy a book. you can get a good manual digital camera with good quality, dont let any old farts that are scared of technology tell you it isnt as good.

Buy a full manual slr camera, black and white film and develope your eye. If there is local class take one , they tend to be cheap and you will learn alot.

Buy yourself a nice little slr and a decent lens and go nuts.. or save up for one of the reasonably priced digital slrs.. Then go crazy. It will take you as far as you want to take it.

im using an olympus 3.2mp and i am getting impressive quality on high res.

Id love to upgrade to something more serious, but not sure its worth the investment at this point.

:/

Check these out. I hope they help.

2004 Photographer's Market

Sell and Resell Your Photos

yea just spring out the cash for the nicer camera...you'll be happy

You can get a nice one full manual not very expensive.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...112196&is=GREY

Nikon FM10 35mm SLR Manual Focus Camera Kit with Nikon 35-70mm f3.5-4.8 AIS Lens & Case Imported

Mfr # 1689 ? B&H # NIFM103570

for some reason SLR always comes up when i discuss cameras, i guess it is pretty decent huh?

i bet a good one is a bit pricey though ...

Go to some photography shows. Over the years I've found a lot of inspiration studying the techniques and imagery beauty of the masters.

Also visit sites online where photographers compete.

http://dpreview.com/

:)

You can get them used for a few hundred dollars.. be willign to learn manual.. but that's the way you SHOULD learn first anyways.

Wish the search function worked.

L.M. posted a really good article about digital and 35mm cameras a couple of months ago. I should have bookmark it.

L.M. if you remember it maybe you could repost it. It was an interesting read. :)

I don't have it handy :) I don't BM my own threads :)

Oh well, it was a very good article and helped me. Thanks :)

Best piece of advice from the lot.

Unless you have money to buy equipment best thing is to just enjoy it and study.

Is there a local "Amateur Camera Club" near you? Also try the library for books. Sort out some magazines that you like and start reading them, lot's of info in magazines.

http://www.shutterbug.net/ Buy this mag, you'll get lot's of ideas. they have a list of classes you can take in one section. Also check your local junior/communication college or adult school, they have cheap classes you can take.

Someone posted this site a couple weeks or so ago. It is old but quite a lot of info :glugglug

thanks for all the info guys. I think i like the idea about going to shows and getting books/mags.

this might help me spark a specific interest rather than "i like to take pics" and then i can concentrate on that niche more focussed.

thanks!