Hello. I'll start of with photography.

 

 

 

I am seriously considering photography classes at my high school. It really interests me. Christmas is coming around the corner, and I ask the TIF Gallery community two questions: What's your opinion on photography/is it worth it/how expensive/etc., and what are some good starting cameras and equipment? I would really appreciate links.

 

 

 

Second: Sig making. I've heard of photoshop, but really I don't know much about it. I know about picture manipulation, and I know I might need that for photography, so here's a new set of questions to ask: What's a good program for picture manipulation (what do you use?), what's a good program for sig making (what do you use?), etc. I don't know the line between an image making program and a photography manipulation program, or even if they're the same thing, so please bear with me. I would really appreciate links and price/quality comparisons.

 

 

 

I really really appreciate your advice. I truly apologize if this is inappropriate to post here, as I checked the stickies and couldn't find any really solid answers. I'm just real bad at this kind of stuff I guess. :P

 

 

 

Thanks a lot! :)

One more thing. I have a program called Picasa (I have Picasa 2), so if anyone could tell me if that's a good program, I'd appreciate it. It came with our computer or something.

Don't know much about photography, but I know photoshop is awesome for manipulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuff said :P

^ Version?

CS2

Hello. I'll start of with photography.

 

 

 

I am seriously considering photography classes at my high school. It really interests me. Christmas is coming around the corner, and I ask the TIF Gallery community two questions: What's your opinion on photography/is it worth it/how expensive/etc., and what are some good starting cameras and equipment? I would really appreciate links.

 

 

 

Thanks a lot! :)

 

 

 

unless you want to be a portrait photographer you really should think about what your getting into. In areas other than portraits/weddings and stuff like that, its hard. Theres a lot of competition, and you'll have to work harder to gain a reputation.

 

 

 

Starting out its kind of expensive. My camera im using now (my first serious camera) set me back 700$ just for the body, and i have some nice lens and equipment to go along with it, including two ~500$ lens and another 60-70$ lens. I also have tripods, cleaning supply's, filters, tripods, bags, and basic stuff.

 

 

 

I was told by a photographer once that he had 20,000$ in equipment he uses, and he has doubles of everything in case something breaks down on the spot.

 

 

 

Lightroom, and Photoshop are pretty much essential to the digital photographer who is serious about what they do. Lightroom is good for starters, and when you get the hang of it, move on to photoshop. But don't not get photoshop because it takes years to learn the ropes by yourself. (I've been using it for 5-6 years now) from photoshop 7.0 to Cs3

 

 

 

You may want to check these sites.

 

http://www.fredmiranda.com/

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

 

http://www.adorama.com/

Also, just because you have the filters and effects etc available to you in Photoshop, don't use them just because you can.

 

 

 

Used too much or over the top they can make pictures look trashy and amateuristic.

 

 

 

Sometimes just the smallest thing can make an image look great.

Sometimes just the smallest thing can make an image look great.

 

 

 

I second that.

So, I'm hearing that starting out with Lightroom (what about Elements?) is a good idea before going with Photoshop3. What about Photoshop 2? Same idea? And what about GIMP? Or is GIMP for sig making...

 

 

 

And I'm still hoping to hear for good programs for sig making. Or, were those all the kind I'm looking for?

 

 

 

LP, I hate to do this to you, but could you...maybe...gimme some links as to some good cameras to buy? Along with equipment? It's probably going to be for more serious work, but like a side interest. Or probably more if I do decide to take a class, which seems likely.

 

 

 

If you guys need me to elaborate more, please tell me. And I really appreciate this.

So, I'm hearing that starting out with Lightroom (what about Elements?) is a good idea before going with Photoshop3. What about Photoshop 2? Same idea? And what about GIMP? Or is GIMP for sig making...

 

 

 

And I'm still hoping to hear for good programs for sig making. Or, were those all the kind I'm looking for?

 

 

 

LP, I hate to do this to you, but could you...maybe...gimme some links as to some good cameras to buy? Along with equipment? It's probably going to be for more serious work, but like a side interest. Or probably more if I do decide to take a class, which seems likely.

 

 

 

If you guys need me to elaborate more, please tell me. And I really appreciate this.

 

 

 

I suggest you make a budget first and find a target as to what your going to shoot

 

 

 

nature/landscape/low light/sports ect.

I'm thinking more nature shots, but since it's a class I'll probably be shooting multiple things in a general nature. Nighttime shots would be awesome too...

 

 

 

I want it to be relatively affordable, but I know this will be expensive and I'm willing to get the money needed if I really start to get interested in this.

I'm thinking more nature shots, but since it's a class I'll probably be shooting multiple things in a general nature. Nighttime shots would be awesome too...

 

 

 

I want it to be relatively affordable, but I know this will be expensive and I'm willing to get the money needed if I really start to get interested in this.

 

 

 

Well I own the following for base equipment

 

 

 

++Equipment (Camera):

 

-Canon 20D

 

++Equipment (Lenses):

 

-Canon 70-200mm f/4 USM non-IS

 

--50mm f/1.8 mkII

 

---Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

 

 

 

++Other equipment:

 

-Hoya Circular Polarizing filters

 

--Canon UV Filters

 

---Bogen - Manfrotto Tripod

 

----Cable Release

 

-----Wireless Remote Release

 

-------White Balance Aid

 

--------SanDisk 4 GB Extreme IV CF Card

 

 

 

the 20D has served me well, you cant buy they new though, you can get them refurbished (which mine was) at http://www.adorama.com

 

It's refurbished by canon themselves so you can expect quality.

 

 

 

For lenses i'd suggest looking on the http://www.fredmiranda.com/ website for reviews of lenses.

 

 

 

If you want to invest more into the future get a newer camera body, maybe a new Canon 40D or an Nikon equivalent. I'd personally recommend canon (although they've had a bad year). their lens are top-notch.

^ Wow, sounds like a good camera but really expensive. I'll take that, but is there anything cheaper that won't take away too much quality?

 

 

 

And could anyone still give me advice about sig making? Or is Photoshop2 my best bet?

^ Wow, sounds like a good camera but really expensive. I'll take that, but is there anything cheaper that won't take away too much quality?

 

 

 

And could anyone still give me advice about sig making? Or is Photoshop2 my best bet?

 

 

 

i suggest looking here

 

http://www.dpreview.com/

GFX:

 

Photoshop is a all-around 2D graphics program used by professionals. The newest version costs over $1,000 US. You can easily find older versions for a lot less, though. I wouldn't use anything under Photoshop 7.

 

 

 

Photoshop Elements is also good, but a new version will probably cost you more than a used Photoshop 7, and Elements has way less features.

 

 

 

If you are a student, you may be able to get some student deals on Photoshop. Some schools have Photoshop on disk. If you have a yearbook office, there's a good chance they will have Photoshop.

 

 

 

You don't need Photoshop to be a good sigmaker or photo editor, though. There are lots of free editing tools on the net. Just a note, many "graphic programs" (like Gimp, PaintShop Pro, ULead, Photoshop) serve as both graphic-making programs (eg: sigs) and graphic-editing programs (eg: photo manips).

 

 

 

Also, there is always the option of downloading commercial programs via P2P, although it is illegal in many countries. :P

 

 

 

PHOTO:

 

If you're in a photography class, a digital SLR will work wonders. :)

 

I would suggest you just stick with a simple camera and a basic zoom lens for now. It usually does the job for novice photographers (like myself).

 

I use a Nikon D40 and I'm very happy with it.

 

 

 

Of course, if you strongly aspire to be a professional photographer, you may wish to lay aside a larger budget for these sort of things.

 

 

 

PS:

 

more money =/= better art

Did a little research on Amazon.com, photoshop Cs2 is just 30 or so bucks.

 

 

 

As for a camera, if you can afford it, I highly reccomend a Nikon D40. Excellent picture quality, easy to use with advanced features to grow into.

Thanks you guys. I really appreciate these camera reviews.

 

 

 

dsavi, I couldn't find Photoshop2 for 30 bucks on amazon...Link please?

 

 

 

So, should I just go ahead and buy a Photoshop (is it Photoshop2 I want?) or get GIMP for free? Seriously, for a beginner like me, which would be better to start?

Did a little research on Amazon.com, photoshop Cs2 is just 30 or so bucks.

 

 

 

As for a camera, if you can afford it, I highly reccomend a Nikon D40. Excellent picture quality, easy to use with advanced features to grow into.

 

 

 

Orly?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-C ... 568&sr=8-1

 

 

 

I think what you found was this -

 

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photoshop-C ... 568&sr=8-2

 

 

 

Which is just a book

So, is that the cheapest I'll get for a good sig making program?

 

 

 

yaff, what do you use? :P

Yaff uses CS2 :-#

 

I'd go with GIMP, not paint.net...

 

I use GIMP. If you want some examples I'll pm you some.

^ Yeah, I'd love some examples.

 

 

 

Could anyone tell me if Picasa 2 does basically the same thing as GIMP and Photoshop, or if it's way different?