Expert: Daniel Colegrove - 8/29/2009

Question
i am 17 and i love taking photos of babies but there is no photography shops around and tafe doesn't provide any courses so what do i do?

Answer
Hello Claire,

Perfect!

What an opportunity you have!

I first began when I was about your age (here is the story: http://www.dcolegrovephotography.com/photographers-story.html ) There are a lot of wonderful schools for Art and Photography but my personal belief is... Who Needs it?

There are many books on photography that will explain the technical aspects of the process of photography... Beyond that, I don't think anyone could impart the experience at any cost or under any circumstances that you couldn't just do on your own.

Get a camera and start shooting(taking pictures).The best way to learn is by doing. If you are serious get the best quality Digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera you can put you hands on.

Look at art... If there isn't an art museum near you there is always the Internet. Learn the "rules" of composition, like the rule of thirds, the golden Ratio... And then go break them. (See: http://www.dcolegrovephotography.com/photographers-visual-communication.html and http://www.dcolegrovephotography.com/photo-tools/composition-guide.html ) Keep notes, go back and see what works.

One book I would recommend is "The Digital Photography Book" by Scott Kelby. It's not the most boring read in the world and it does cover a lot of what you need to know.

Daniel