wonderwall
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
- Posts
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I constantly find myself in a situation thinking "Gosh, I wish I could take a picture of that and capture it forever". At times I've tried, with a digital snapshot camera or with my cell-phone. The results are never satisfactory, especially if it's of the sky or the forest or anything far away or too intricate. Or anything that passes by too quickly. For a while, I experimented with my brother's Nikon and I think I took some very nice shots. I wouldn't know for sure though as I have never been able to get them developed. It's just too expensive, I have too much film and I don't know what's what!
I don't mean to write an unnecessarily long prologue here but.. for a long time I have felt the desire to do something expressive, artistic. Not so much to paint as to capture. I thought the pen was my tool of choice and, even then, when I would write it felt more like I was capturing truth, life and sealing it in a jar. With airholes of course, lol. But writing doesn't come as easy lately. I'm just too mixed up inside to know what I want to say anymore and I find myself saying a lot of things I don't like. Capturing the dark side of life and having it there on my desk every day to remind me just how far I've come is not likely to help me get past it. Which is why I need to be out in the world. Be a part of it. Experience it. And make it a part of me. Photography is how I would like to do that.
I know next to nothing about the art. I mean, I understand contrast and juxtaposition and angle and focus and such a bit. But there is a lot I don't know. It most likely fills books. So pretend I am an open and blank book. I want you guys to just pour all your knowledge on me as if I know nothing. Both professional advice as well as your personal experience. Just a few things I wanna say.
1) I would REALLY like to use digital equipment. Something that can rival a decent standard SLR camera but without breaking the bank. It would just be much more likely that my pictures would actually see the light of day if I used this method. Even printing them is cheaper. I'm not trying to destroy the ancient art of development, it's just not possible for me right now. Building a dark room also wouldn't work with my current living situation.
2) I have a birthday coming up so my budget is a tad greater than it would be. Still... I should try not to exceed $600. Is that even possible? I could always go all-out and replenish my savings later since this IS important to me. But I also don't want to dive into the deep end right off either.
3) Most of what I have shot so far has been nature and landscapes mostly. I have done some ghetto photography with my webcam using myself as a model which sounds not only narcissistic but kind of trifling, I know. Still, I am attracted and intrigued by the human form. Sadly, it's something that is best caught in the moment and off guard, so taking pictures of myself has little benefit aside from boosting my ego. I'm just not sure exactly how to go about doing this without coming off as a creep, as I don't really live in a city...
Well, I think that's everything. Muchos gracias to anyone that actually took the time to read it all. Hope you guys can lead me in the right direction.
I don't mean to write an unnecessarily long prologue here but.. for a long time I have felt the desire to do something expressive, artistic. Not so much to paint as to capture. I thought the pen was my tool of choice and, even then, when I would write it felt more like I was capturing truth, life and sealing it in a jar. With airholes of course, lol. But writing doesn't come as easy lately. I'm just too mixed up inside to know what I want to say anymore and I find myself saying a lot of things I don't like. Capturing the dark side of life and having it there on my desk every day to remind me just how far I've come is not likely to help me get past it. Which is why I need to be out in the world. Be a part of it. Experience it. And make it a part of me. Photography is how I would like to do that.
I know next to nothing about the art. I mean, I understand contrast and juxtaposition and angle and focus and such a bit. But there is a lot I don't know. It most likely fills books. So pretend I am an open and blank book. I want you guys to just pour all your knowledge on me as if I know nothing. Both professional advice as well as your personal experience. Just a few things I wanna say.
1) I would REALLY like to use digital equipment. Something that can rival a decent standard SLR camera but without breaking the bank. It would just be much more likely that my pictures would actually see the light of day if I used this method. Even printing them is cheaper. I'm not trying to destroy the ancient art of development, it's just not possible for me right now. Building a dark room also wouldn't work with my current living situation.
2) I have a birthday coming up so my budget is a tad greater than it would be. Still... I should try not to exceed $600. Is that even possible? I could always go all-out and replenish my savings later since this IS important to me. But I also don't want to dive into the deep end right off either.
3) Most of what I have shot so far has been nature and landscapes mostly. I have done some ghetto photography with my webcam using myself as a model which sounds not only narcissistic but kind of trifling, I know. Still, I am attracted and intrigued by the human form. Sadly, it's something that is best caught in the moment and off guard, so taking pictures of myself has little benefit aside from boosting my ego. I'm just not sure exactly how to go about doing this without coming off as a creep, as I don't really live in a city...
Well, I think that's everything. Muchos gracias to anyone that actually took the time to read it all. Hope you guys can lead me in the right direction.