Any photographers in here?

[Maddass Blk 5]

Sure...

If you own a digital camera and can do photoshop your a pro...(fuoops)

 

[LEXi73]

umm sure....welcome aboard...great first post....(ugh)

 

[tekkie]

umm sure....welcome aboard...great first post....(ugh)

yeah it took him a whole year to come up with that lol

 

[altspace]

ohhhh snap!

 

[MattyP]

If you own a digital camera and can do photoshop your a pro...(fuoops)

hehe.

yea but sadly, these days that is somewhat true.
i still think untouched photography is the best. you can never get the effect that an slr gives you out of a computer.

 

[Omar MSP]

Angel Eyes ( No Editing )

 

[Breeegz]

If you own a digital camera and can do photoshop your a pro...(fuoops)

If you paid retail for photoshop you are a pro.

 

[ChopstickHero]

If you paid retail for photoshop you are a pro.

speaking of Photoshop ... who has CS3? I have it at work and it's pretty good so far. i haven't fully dived into the features yet, but here's a pretty good review i found on the interwebs: http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/photoshop-cs3.ars/

 

[ZoominMX-5]

As a general rule, you don't "need" f/2.8 or faster. On many subjects that will give a very narrow DoF that may not be desirable. However, better quality lenses are often faster, too. Do you need a better quality lens? Probably not since what you are currently shooting is not super-slow. But look, you really can not go wrong with the 18-200mm...USM + VR-II is a very versatile combination. If you get that lens you won't have to worry about switching lenses all the time...worry about bringing all your lenses with you everywhere you might want to take pictures.

For an amateur you've got a good kit going. I wouldn't make any change in lenses unless it was for the 18-200mm. With that said, if you want to make photography a bigger hobby then anything else in your life...get the Nikon 70-200 USM VR-II (~$1600) and the 17-55 (~$1200). These lenses will last a lifetime of amateur use. Really, you'll never have to spend money on a lens again.

If you are looking to get a better understanding of photography in general look to the bookstore (or Amazon.com):

Understanding Exposure https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Matters of Light & Depth https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Art of RAW Conversion https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

There are others, but these are MUST READS for serious beginner photographers. Once you understand these concepts, you will be an educated consumer of all the great photography information available on the web.

DPReview.com forums
Fredmiranda.com forums
Strobist.com
Photo Business News & Forum
KenRockwell.com

...

Good luck!

Thank you SOO much for the book recommendations! Just placed my order for all three.

 

[altspace]

If you paid retail for photoshop you are a pro.

Yup, I sure did. Best thing about buying software and hardware.....it's a tax write off for me.

 

[LEXi73]

I'm Rocking CS3 at work!!!! its great so far....i got to get a keygen and take it back home possibly....

 

[LEXi73]

speaking of software...anyone use Aperture?? i have heard a few things about it but not sure if its really worth the $300. also i do not currently own a mac.

I have been thinking of getting a laptop for my next computer just so i can take it where I go. I have always had a desktop but i think a laptop would be nice. So question is is what is everyone using for post processing...i know most will be on Photoshop but jw.

do you have a Mac or PC? Desktop or Laptop? software for post processing?

 

[tekkie]

I think CS3 is great as well

dont use aperture but I use lightroom and love it, I don't use photoshop near as often now, especially with 1.1 where the sharpness actually works

 

[LEXi73]

wow i have never heard of lightroom.....looks really nice and very functional. still has the $300 price tag but is definitely more functional than just photoshop alone.

 

[tekkie]

yeah I picked it up when it first came out earlier this year and it was only 180 then still worth 300 in my book though

try the eval you will want to buy it then

 

[NVP5White]

Thank you SOO much for the book recommendations! Just placed my order for all three.

Great news. I really think everyone needs a foundation of common knowledge about photography. Not necessary to learn how to take a picture; there is no "right" way. But to learn how to shape light using ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Without an understanding of these tools and how they interact a photographer will never be as good as they could be.

Anyway, let us know what you think of those, including the one about RAW conversion. I've come to see RAW and post processing as a necessary and integral part of picture making. For anyone who has ever developed their own prints in a dark room, you know that much time is spent burning, dodging, cropping, and filtering. Without post processing Ansel Adams would have been just another photographer instead of a legendary artist.

Anyway, I'll get off the soapbox.

Good luck.

 

[ZoominMX-5]

BTW, When lightroom first came out, you could get a copy for $90 bucks if you showed proof of current enrollment at a college. I think that was introductory pricing though, i'm sure its gone up.

 

[LEXi73]

thanks zoomin although that does me no good but i could get my sis to possibly buy for me.

 

[ZoominMX-5]

Here you go. Photoshop Lightroom for $99
https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/st...Applications/PhotoshopLightroom&store=OLS-EDU

 

[altspace]

Hey, If I'm just taking one class at a college does that count? Damn it's been a long time.