Expert: Don Wood - 9/28/2003

Question
hi there,
i'm just getting serious about photography. i don't have a slr camera yet and would like to get advice on what to get for starting out. i would focus mostly on people, especially children. do you have any recommendations. i did some research but here are so many out there. i don't need anything fancy but i would like to have good quality close up shots. i wouldn't be going into developing anything myself just yet.
btw, i'm not thinking of doing this as a career until i have some more experience under my belt.
thanks for your help!  

Answer
Start out small. Since you're not into developing and not contemplating it, and since you don't think you want to start out yet, be a weekend warrior. We're in the beginnings of digital photography so perhaps you may want to consider something in that line. One of the things about digital is the immediate gratification one gets by being able to manipulate your own images rather than letting a pro lab do it for you.
Before sinking a lot of money in photography, possibly getting the wrong equipment to start with and then having to play catch-up when you learn your needs, you should plan to get some education in the field. College, junior college, technical schools all teach the basics. You will further expand your knowledge by developing your photographic eyes, going to museums, photographic and art, studying books on photography. You need to look at the scene and decide how best to depict what you are seeing, noting the best angles, determining the best exposure (shutter speed and f/stop), what kind of lighting, etc. This process will become second nature to you, while you are in the business.
After you are satisfied that you know what branch of photography you want to do, then you will have to hammer out a plan to achieve your goals. But I do recommed that you don't give up your day job until you can support yourself with your photographic income. It is a hard field, you will spend weekends doing your job at the wedding, reunion since most sentimental moments that people want to buy are weekend happenings. Not to say that there aren't jobs out there that are more 9-5, 5 days a week, there are. There are many fields in this industry. Portraits, Weddings, Reunions, Photo-Journalism, catalog, are all a part of this wonderful world of photography. You will have to learn people skills as that is the key to successful photographers, this is the skill of putting people into thie picture in the right place without them knowing that you are manipulating them. Of course, if you are going for landscape, or animals, that's a differnt matter. But you still need the people skills. When I went to a reunion I could make a class of 35 people form themselves into a group with their faces to the camera, take the picture, get the names, in less than 20 minutes. Then I would circulate among them asking if they would like to buy the prints which would be sent to them. I would get the money up front so that I had no collection problems.
Examine the field before buying equipment so you don't buy what you won't be using. You can get also many ideas from the internet in developing your photographic eyes.
Best of luck. I know that I didn't make a specific recommendation but I think you can understand why.
Keep me posted. If I can help further, please let me know.
Don