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Question: Interested In Photography!?
I'm sooo interested in photography!. Especially those involving rural and urban things and nature!. Especially black and white!. Here's a few examples!.
http://drkshp!.deviantart!.com/art/Blindin!.!.!.

http://papieroweskrzydla!.deviantart!.com/!.!.!.

http://gdallis!.deviantart!.com/art/VIEW-9!.!.!.

http://hearthy!.deviantart!.com/art/Green-!.!.!.

http://nilington!.deviantart!.com/art/Lett!.!.!.

What can I do to get involved in photography!? What are the best types of cameras!? I'd prefer manual!.!.!.I dunno why but I think it would make me feel more in touch with what I'm doing!. Are there any tips to help me to become a better photographer!? Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Its not so much the camera that makes the photographer but the photographer using the camera to its full extent!. You have to find the format you like and then explore all the possibilities it offers!. I use different formats depending on what I am shooting!. For black and white fine art I use a 4x5 (large format) view camera and I process and print the film myself!. For color transparencies I have a Mamiya C220 which uses 120 (medium format) film!. I also use this camera for portraits!. I have several 35mm cameras!. I use a Pentax K1000 with a macro lens the most in this format!. For fun I have a Holga 120N which is basically a cheap plastic camera!. Its fun to shoot with!. Digital - I have a Nikon D40!. I like it well enough but it won't replace my film cameras!.

Each format has its place!. Ultimately you have to decide which format is best for the kind of photos you want to do!.

As far as becoming a better photographer - the most important thing is learning to take criticism!. Not every photo you do will be good and not every photo will be liked by others!. I'm kind of harsh with my criticism - if I don't like the photo I will say so!. But, that is just my opinion!. Doesn't make me right or wrong!. Criticism helps you grow by pointing out what you may have missed in a photo!. I

Technique! Practice and learn to grow with your vision!. Look at everything as if you are seeing it for the first time even if it something you see everyday!. Explore it with your camera!.

Don't get hung up on technology!. My 4x5 may be almost 40 years old but you can't beat the quality of the images!. My Pentax K1000 may be 25 years old but how many digital cameras will be still working 25 years from now!?

Learn the history of photography - this will inspire you to find your own vision!. One of my favorite photographers is Edward Steichen!. If you like the kind of photos you used as examples I think you will like Steichen's early work with gum bichromate papers!.

Hope that gives you some ideas!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Go to soaphoto!.com

You can upload your photos to this site and people critique them!. I love this site, and it really helped me hone my skills!. Most everyone is helpful and offer tons of great photo tips!

There are places to upload collections of photos to your very own 'album' and places for people to talk to on this site as well!

Happy Shooting!Www@QuestionHome@Com