Archive 2017 · Advice for a Newby

rw11
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Advice for a Newby

I have a friend who is just about to buy a small camera for landscapes while hiking, etc. I suggested she get a GX85 (fits her budget) with the kit 12-32 lens, and buy better lenses later on.

But she is also new to digital cameras and pretty much new to camera use at all.

What advice would you give to a new landscape photographer (other than the obvious ones like Golden Hour, 1.3's rule, and leading lines into the background)?

Also, books for the new landscape photog. I already told her The Zone System was still relevant...

Jan 05, 2017 at 09:29 PM

JimFox
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Advice for a Newby

I don't think I would burden someone brand new to photography with the Zone System.

Give her a few tips about composition and show her how not to blow out her highlights and then just go shoot with her. She probably won't appreciate your advice until she has actually gone and shot photos herself. Until she does, she won't have much in the way of reference to your suggestions.

Jim

Jan 05, 2017 at 11:58 PM

ckcarr
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Advice for a Newby

My opinion is she should just get the camera and work with it for a while. Decide what she wants to shoot, if anything. She may just lose interest. Or go down a different photography path, like people. Or she may see a fox in the snow and suddenly go "I love wildlife." Did she specifically say "landscapes?" Pure landscape photography can get very focused and concentrated. One shot, right time of day. Does she stop in every gallery available and go in and study the images for hours? Does she already read landscape oriented books & magazines, or anything photography oriented? There are some excellent YouTube videos out there, produced by B&H, which are targeted toward landscape photographers exclusively. For hiking, often people think people, a documentary of the hike, could be anything. So, my advice is, just work with the camera, learn the controls, also learn whats in your geographic area worth shooting...

I can support the local guy as he's written a decent starter landscape photography book here, and you can get a used one for $0.94 cents:
https://www.amazon.com/Success-Landscape-Photography/dp/1861085354/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1483711741&sr=8-4&keywords=tom+till+landscape

Jan 06, 2017 at 09:10 AM

blueshadows
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Advice for a Newby

Jim and Craig offered some great advice. You might also tell her about the Landscape Forum

—no better place online to look at landscapes, and learn-as-you-go from a learned community.

Jan 06, 2017 at 10:49 AM

rw11
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Advice for a Newby

she specifically said "landscapes" - twice

I'll tell her about the book and the forum (but the forum might scare her away b/c of the commitment and quality)

Jan 06, 2017 at 05:19 PM

jdc562
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Advice for a Newby

I'd also suggest she practice locally. Maybe think of a theme like "My Neighborhood" or "Postcards of my Town" or just go out and photograph anything that attracts her interest. Then, after each session, review her pictures on the computer or tablet and think what she would do in the next session. Encourage her to ask you for help with improving focus, exposure, light (time of day), compositions, etc. But be careful of any criticism that could discourage the beginner. With this hands-on experience, she will be better prepared for photographing special trips to special places--increasing the enjoyment of the trip and its memories.

Jan 09, 2017 at 08:26 PM

rw11
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Advice for a Newby

How about....

"7. If your photos look like a Motivational Poster you are over-processing!"

Jan 12, 2017 at 07:12 PM


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