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If you are participating in this workshop, you are probably using a point and shoot camera or a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera, otherwise known as a DSLR.
There are pros and cons to both types of cameras. Point and shoot cameras are great for their small size and portability, their macro capabilities and lower price and yet they lag in image quality, speed and do not have interchangeable lenses.
DSLR’s are fabulous for image quality, speed and adaptability, but are not easy to carry if you want to capture photos on your next 4-mile hike up Mt. Monadnock and even though the prices are dropping drastically, you could easily go broke buying new lenses……ehem.
Regardless which type of camera you own, or hope to own, if you don’t know how to capture a good image, the type of camera won’t really matter.
During this workshop, it is my goal to help you learn to use your camera and show you how to take better pictures by gaining a clear understanding of how your camera works. When we have learned all we can about taking good pictures, we will begin to focus on the creative side of photography, so whatever you are hoping to learn, if you stick around long enough, you just might pick up a thing or two.
You probably won’t leave this workshop as the next Jessica Claire, or maybe you will…who knows, but I hope you will find joy in the knowledge you learn and begin to apply it while capturing memories of the people or things you love. So enough of my babbling, let’s get started.
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Assignment 1:
I know we are all ready to dive in, but there are a few things we need to do before we can proceed to the next level. Every good skill has a foundation and I wouldn’t expect you to learn Algebra before you master your multiplication tables, so with that in mind, your first part of the assignment is to go find your camera manual and get to know your camera, inside and out. If you are like me, when you purchased your new camera, you tore open the box, found the quick start guide, tapped your foot waiting for the battery to charge, turned on that baby to auto and off you went. Now that’s all fine and good, but not if we want to learn to use the manual settings and expand our skills.
Now that you are done reading, not skimming, your boring manual….(you did read didn’t you?)….we can get to the fun stuff.
You probably have discovered things you never knew about your camera, even though some of them seem to be written in a foreign language. Now make it your priority to get out and take the best picture you can for your first assignment.
If you are interested in nature photography, then shoot nature, if it’s children, use your own or borrow one, (it probably should be one you know.) If it is architecture, go find a building. Just photograph whatever makes your heart sing, process it however you like and then come back here to link up when you are finished. You can link up any time between now and our next assignment and if your late, no sweat, take your time. Do this at your own pace. You can’t rush creativity.
If you’re not sure how to include your photo into a comment, just upload your photo to your photo host, then right click on it > choose properties to see your photo’s URL > Copy this URL and paste it into your comment.
And if you have any questions, I’m just an email away!
Because this is a very short assignment, our next assignment will be posted on July 4th.
Today’s Photo Inspiration: Hoya carnosa flowers taken by Martin Heigan. Go here to visit Martin’s photostream.
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Cool Sites for more inspiration:
The Big Picture
Smashing Magazine
Kimmie says:
Hallie;
Grabbing my manual before I hit the road…I am excited to gleen some of your knowledge! I dropped the hint about the camera lense we talked about (brave of me, huh?)
Can’t wait to learn!
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
June 20th, 2008 at 7:19 am
jewlsntexas says:
Yay! I’m so excited. But you did not offer instruction on how to locate said manual!
That’ll take me all week!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Iris says:
Wow - that shot you are sharing from Martin is incredible - love the detail
June 20th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Heather says:
Thanks so much for this. I am so eager to learn more about my new camera and a friend directed me to your site. And I do need much prodding to sit down with the manual, so off I go
~Heather
June 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Marsha says:
I can’t wait to start this assignment! Thanks for the inspirational links too!
June 20th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Elaine says:
Hallie, I am very excited to join but I have to say I did TRY to read my camera’s manual and it was total crap. Is it ok to say that? I will give it another go and maybe even look on the internet. I really do want to learn! : )
June 20th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Nikowa says:
Alright, I’m done
Although I was still saying “I hate this camera!”
June 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am
Christine says:
I can’t wait to get started on this assignment. My camera isn’t the best quality but I’m going to do the best with what I have until I can get my dream camera.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:26 am
Steven and Aisha says:
I love the photo! Looks so real!
June 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 am
Hallie says:
Aisha, I took this photo at Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT. Their rose garden is really amazing. I added a texture to the photo in PS to give it an aged look.
June 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Steven and Aisha says:
I really want to have PS someday.
You did a really good job!
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Erica says:
Those Hoya carnosa flowers look like they were made of snuggly fleece - I want a blanket made of them for winter.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
HRH says:
This is really a great idea for a series and I am very excited. Elaine sent me over…
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:51 am
Jenn4him says:
My assignement is finished. Looks like there is a lot of interest in this class. Thank you again.
Jenn
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Allison says:
So excited to be participating in this group! I’ve started reading my manual and am thrilled at how much I’ve already learned!
Thanks so much!
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Tiff@Three Peas says:
HMMMM where did I put that manual????
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Bahama Mama says:
Hallie
My first go is my name link.
LM
June 24th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Tasha Soileau says:
Hi I started your photo 101 and here is my link for the pictures that I have taken I hope you enjoy them. I found you on THL.
Blessings
Tasha
http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1983515%3ABlogPost%3A172275
June 24th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Robin says:
Hi there. I’m here via Lisa’s blog (Cabrelli’s at Water’s Edge). Can I join too? I got a DSLR a few months ago and am currently obsessed with improving my skills so I can take full advantage of my new toy :).
I’ve been taking a number of abstract type photos lately, trying to work on both my skills and my eye. Here are a few of my recent favorites.
I’ve been reading the manual, or trying to, but I keep losing track of the plot (and holy smokes is it badly written!). I’ve also downloaded Ken Rockwell’s manual for my camera in the hopes that that one would make more sense, but I haven’t had a lot of time to really sink my teeth into that one yet.
Thanks for the chance to participate, I’m really excited about it!
June 24th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Sennie says:
Not taking your class, although I should!! Just couldn’t believe when you mentioned Mt. Monadnock, that is where I got engaged <3
June 24th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Ginny says:
I am so glad you are offering this workshop. I can use all the help I can get. I’ve done the first assignment and have it posted on my blog.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/proverbsfamily/552371/
Thanks.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Christine says:
I thought I posted a comment last night but since it was so late I question whether it went through or not. LOL.
My first assignment is posted on my blog.
http://www.fromstormstosunshine.blogspot.com
June 25th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Amanda says:
I’ve been contemplating if I have enough time to join in “Through the Lens”. I love photography so I’ve decided I’ll give it a go and see if I can keep up! *lol* Thank you for your inspiration! Hmmm…I think I’ll try and read some of the instruction manual when the baby needs her next feed…
June 26th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Doris says:
I’m new at this linking business, hope it works. My subject is GT, he’s austistic, but still the sky’s the limit, when your best friend believes in the Power of God! This picture says so much to me, I hope it does to others as well.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Doris says:
Okay I’ll try again.
http://sp0.fotologs.net/photo/0/20/65/dorsey50/1214179757124_f.jpg
Doris
June 26th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Lee says:
i have mine up too! Here is a link to my blog.
http://theblissfulpixel.com/blog
June 28th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Amanda says:
Thanks for hosting this workshop Hallie. I must admit reading my camera manual is certainly taking huge amounts of self-discipline! Anyway, here is my first assignment: http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x81/living_grace/th_p2008061714a.jpg
~Amanda
PS. Doris, I love your pic!
June 28th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Amanda says:
Sorry, I’ll try again. The image is really small. I forgot that it was resized when I uploaded it!
http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x81/living_grace/Through%20the%20Lens/th_brotherprotection.jpg
It’s also posted on my website.
June 28th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Amanda says:
Okay. Still no good. Just view it at my blog:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/medwin/552695/
Sorry about that! *smiles sheepishly*
~Amanda
June 28th, 2008 at 5:54 am
HRH says:
Wow. You are right. My camera does a whole bunch of stuff I had no idea about. Pretty cool.
My favorite picture this week:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_BAB3Lo6jl_w/SGYzzap6akI/AAAAAAAAB2s/cN0BfP2clAQ/s400/DSC09542.JPG
A group of all my favorites from this week:
http://www.junecleavernirvana.com/2008/06/colors-of-my-week.html
Can’t wait to see what is next…
Thanks!
hh
June 28th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Guera says:
I have done my first assignment and blogged about it here:
Painted Doll
I know we were supposed to take the best photo we could, but I put this one in because it shows something I learned about my camera - how to adjust the aperture value. I was very excited to move out of Auto mode!
June 29th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Anamaria says:
Hallie, thanks so much for offering this workshop. I am really excited to take more photos and to see everyone else’s pics too.
Here is my Assignment 1 photo:
http://flickr.com/photos/anamaria/2633937498/
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
Dave UK says:
Ok, this was taken with my old Camera which I knew inside out. Unfortunately it died, and would like to be able to match this with the new Camera. Ploughing through with the current manual, but wanted to post something so I didn’t forget.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. Criticism, feedback and of course praise is all welcomed.
[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2635871947_aa9dc4ea6e.jpg[/img]
July 4th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Tony says:
Hello,
I found this online workshop by the rssfeed of Steve Paxton, and i’m very impatient to work on the creative part,
thanks for your commitment.
My contribution (taking on my balcony)
http://image.aminus3.com/image/g0003/u00002752/i00290368/4ceba1ed003b4c4f197fd0c99b2f7ae2_large.jpg
July 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
janmary, N Ireland says:
I added my photoblog to Mr Linky. The photos I posted to the Flickr Group are the 2 I posted on Sunday 29 June 2008.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Tonja Renee says:
I posted my picture through the linky.. I just signed up yesterday… so wanted to get something up so I could have a good bit to work on task #2.
July 4th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Kami says:
Hi Hallie,
this is a great idea, came via Elaine. I got a Canon Rebel recently and am still in early stages of learning the manual settings. I have good days and bad days with it. Sometimes it’s all so very overwhelming!
July 4th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Stephanie says:
A little late, but better than never. I’m so excited that you are offering this. Absolutely wonderful. Here’s a link to my photo:
http://raesrambles.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/not-a-weed/
July 4th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Amy (Dandelion Seeds) says:
I’m late too, but joining in after reading about it from Marsha’s blog. I’m so excited as I just got a camera “gifted” to me. I will be posting mine soon, but I’m having some difficulty, and haven’t been able to post on flicker yet either. I will link to the post as soon as I’m able. I already have the shots for weeks one and two.
Thanks for doing this! I’m excited to learn!
Amy
July 5th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Amy (Dandelion Seeds) says:
Finished posting my first assignment… looking forward to checking everyone else’s pictures out as well. Wish I had more time to give this… I will try to keep up with everyone!
Thanks again Hallie, for doing this!
July 5th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Amy (Dandelion Seeds) says:
Um… are we supposed to give the direct link in the “Mr. Linky” or in the comments? Here’s mine again just in case…
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DandelionSeeds/557071/
July 5th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
smarmoofus says:
I’m up, finally. I confess this photo has very little to do with anything I might’ve read in the manual. But it addresses the nature of the assignment: to take a picture of something that we love/speaks to us. I didn’t do much post-processing to the image… I dimmed the glow from the window in the background because it was a bit distracting. Then I cropped and resized the image to focus on the important elements. It’s not the best photo I’ve taken in the last few weeks, from a technical aspect, but it is the one that speaks to me most.
-smarmoofus
July 6th, 2008 at 2:42 am
smarmoofus says:
Darnit… my signature points to the wrong photo in my post… Please click on my name at the top, which goes to the right post. Thanks.
-smarmoofus
July 6th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Shauna says:
I’m late posting my photo for the first assignment because I got a new Canon and have been diligently reading the manual and learning about the features! I would prefer to have had better lighting on one side, but this photo is one I keep coming back to as I’m browsing through my recent shots.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Jen says:
I know I’m starting late but I would really like to use my camera better. I get a lot of red eye!! So here goes…
~J
July 6th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
katef says:
Better Late than never right??
I am so jealous of all of you and your nice weather and sunshine to take photos in!
July 6th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
dbinaz says:
Just joined today. Finished the manual.
Wow, I learned some stuff.
This wasn’t taken today, but very recent. We had a huge fire break out from lightning.
http://dbinaz.smugmug.com/photos/320049229_LewCi-L-1.jpg
July 6th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Michelle says:
Just joined today!! I finished the manual a LONG time ago… and a few other field guides. Nothing better than learning from inspiration rather than a book.
My picture that I am submitting for this was taken a while ago. Future assignments will have current photos though!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8660866@N02/2651885447/
July 9th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Kristen says:
Hi All!
Better late than never, right?? I’m excited to join the group and learn from everyone!
July 20th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Beth says:
Hi, I’m Beth and just join this group. I’m not sure if I have posted my first assignment photo correctly or not. We’ll see!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:16 pm
CC says:
I just found my camera’s manual this evening and just ordered “slr camera for dummies” from the library. Then I found your blog. Perfect timing!!
July 26th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Les says:
Hi Hallie, I’m looking forward to contributeing to this group as I learn photography the digital way as it is so much more involved than the film and processing days
July 28th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Les says:
Please don’t use my first list as you won’t get to the photo as the link is toooooo long and you will get an error. This link should be oK.
Thanks Les…
July 29th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Kelli says:
Very late posting, but here is my pictures for assignment #1:
http://suburbanchick.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/taking-the-camera-off-auto/
July 30th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Angela says:
I am so excited and thankful you are so willing to share with all of us!!
Blessings~
Angela
July 30th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
rdl says:
This will be the first manual that i’ve ever read i think.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
ayana says:
I read my manual from cover to cover, but I could still say that I am still very confused about a lot of things.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:01 pm