I want to become a photographer...what is the best way to do this?

Question:

I want to become a photographer...what is the best way to do this?

No answers like take pictures, I know that already!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In photography you do not have to go to formal school and have a degree to be a photographer.

1. You should learn the technical aspects of photography and your camera (composition, shutter speed, depth of field etc), once you understand these you will be able to create better images.

2. Shoot in "M" (manual mode) because you will have more control over your camera and not the other way around. When you are in one of the "Auto" modes the camera will just read the highlights and shadow areas and try to get you a picture. The camera is not smart enough to know what you are shooting.

3. You can start reading all kinds of books on this subject and get information from the internet. This includes web based classes, manufactures web sites to personal blogs.

4. Buy the best DSLR camera that you can afford this also includes good lenses. Take out your camera and manual sit down and go over all the buttons and knobs etc.. this is the best way for you to learn what your camera can do.

5. Start shooting with your camera to get practice and from what you are learning from reading and doing you will get better. Practice does make perfect. Take notes while shooting and then look at your photos on the computer find the best one from that set and see what you did to get the shot.

6. You can get yourself a job as a photographers assistant (be it payed or free) and learn from that person.

7. My suggestion is to find a part of photography that you would have an interest in and point in that direction.

Here are a couple of web sites to start:

http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp...

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/...

http://www.shootsmarter.com/

http://www.webphotoschool.com/

http://www.lexar.com/dp/index.html?cmp=e...

Just in case you want a degree:

http://www.photographyschools.com/...

Hope this helps,
Kevin