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Question: How to get started in photography!?
Okay so I would really really like to get into photography!.
I really don't know much about it-
Could someone give me an overview of what camera is good, where to purchase, how to use the camera, etc!?
I want to get a good quality camera, but as affordable as possible (I'm only in highschool)
I also really wanted to get photoshop mainly for photo manipulation and touch ups!. (A recommendation of which type to get at the lowest price possible!?)
With the camera I wanted to do mainly portraits, maybe some landscapes!. OH! and I absolutely would LOVE to do macro- like close up of eyes!? Would I need a special camera for that!?
So again:
Type of camera (especially for macro and portraits), photoshop and prices!.

here are some examples of the type of photography I want to do:

http://saturdayx!.deviantart!.com/
http://rebekkaopsal!.deviantart!.com/art/M!.!.!.

Thank youuuu! :DWww@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
To begin your trip on the road to photography, may I recommend the following:

1!. For photo editing, instead of Adobe Photoshop [which costs well over $350], check out the $100 Adobe Elements which has all the necessary features to process and manipulate your digital images;

2!. Look into purchasing a Canon point and shoot PowerShot A590 IS for around $110!.00 at samys!.com where they do not charge CA taxes up through December 24th!. The A590 has an excellent macro and micro range and with image stabilization, you'll capture all the action and scenic shots even while in a moving car!

3!. And for a photography resource library, go to ebay!.com for a set of used Tiime-Life Photography Library Books which can be had for around $65!.00 for the full 17-volume set!. Even though these books address "film" photography, the overall principles also apply to digital photography!.

Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

before doing anything else - such as getting a decent camera - i'd study the elements and principles of design!. they are the basics of any kind of fine art, and they will help you a LOT in the overall composition of your photos!. they aren't necessarily rules that you HAVE to follow, but i highly recommend that you learn them!. also, study some photography history, look up work by ansel adams (for landscapes) or gordon parks (documentary/portraits)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

How to get started is to buy a camera you can afford and take thousands of pictures!. Start with 1 picture, improve upon that by taking the next picture, repeat until you are satisfied and get lots of awards and money!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Cameras vary in prices start out with a cheaper digital and see if you really like it that way you don't pay 1000 dollars for a good cam and then have to turn around and sell it you will lose at least 500 bucks as far as a photo shop Corel has a nice one for under 100 bucksWww@QuestionHome@Com

I recommend a Mamiya RB67 and a decent film scanner!. The best image quality and a great, affordable way to get digital files!.

Mamiya RB67s are regularly selling for under $200 today!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well to get the results in the links, takes alot of practice!. You can't expect to just pick up a camera and produce those kinds of pictures!.!.!.

Ok this is my overview on cameras:
Nikon and Cannon are the best!. Most people will recommend you get a DSLR, but I recommend any point and shoot digital camera with manual modes, like aperture priority mode, shutter priority mode, and manual mode!.

Where to buy a camera!. I recommend you go to your local electronics store (best buy, circuit city!.!.!.) and just look around at prices and such and just play around with the camera until you find one that you like, that fits your needs, and that fits your budget!.

As for how to use a camera, first read your instruction manual!. Then go to the library and check out books about photography!. Then look up online articles about photography!.!.!.

As for getting a good camera for a cheap price!. I understand completely, I am still in high school too!. Like I said before and point and shoot camera with manual modes will work just fine since you are just learning!. also don't let anyone tell you Megapixel are everything, they are not!. You can take a great quality with 5mp!.!.!.

You don't need photoshop to edit your pictures!. There are many free sites that do the same thing, but for free!.
http://www!.gimp!.org/
http://www!.picnik!.com/

No you do not need a special camera for macro pictures!. Most cameras come with a macro setting!.

also http://flickr!.com is a great site to post and share your pictures!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com