Post by Deleted on May 2, 2019 23:49:14 GMT
STeVe answers what everyone wants to know, via DM.
STeVE:
STeVE:
I've been asked (via DM) how I "learned" photography. Well, my college friends were into classic SLR photography when they were art majors in school. I tagged along (I was a Psych major) and watched them work their Canon AE1, Nikon F's, etc. and a bit of it rubbed off.
It wasn't until I was married and discovered my father-in-law's old Nikon Nikormat system (four lenses, camera, leather cases, etc. all from the Army PX in 1972) that I took it upon myself to re-remember how to take a manual photograph. Wasn't easy, I forgot so much that I was about to go to the library for a book when my wife saved the day.
My wife back in her modeling days had been given a book by one of her photographers who was stuck on her (RON CLARK), and this book was (and is) my "how to take a decent photograph" bible. It's called "Photography, Adapted from the Life Library Of Photography" by Barbara and John Upton. Published in 1975, it really is a one volume masterpiece, probably out there now for a few dollars. A must read. After I read it (several times, making notes) I spent a while with the Nikon, trying to take some good shots.
Then, the second crucial book came to me (in these days right before the Internet) in a bookstore. Simply called "Collecting And Using Classic Cameras" by the late, great Ivor Matanle, it was an amazing overview of all the old camera systems and what would be fun to take pics with. A wonderful book.
Then I discovered LEICA via the Leica M6 (on prominent display at Woodland Hills Camera, USA in 2000) and I was an instant convert. So much lighter than the dead weight of the Nikon, so fun to use and so friggin' expensive. After finding wonderful old Leitz/Leica stuff on eBay for much less money, I collected a nice, old kit and I've been using Leica ever since. Hope this helps!
Bottom line, if you're interested, get that Barbara and John Upton book. It really is what you need to know about analog photography. It also is valid with the better digital cameras. You can take snapshots with your iPhone all day long. In order to take a photograph, you need to be able to control how you want it to look. Once you know that, you can really be the master..
How did YOU learn how to do it?
It wasn't until I was married and discovered my father-in-law's old Nikon Nikormat system (four lenses, camera, leather cases, etc. all from the Army PX in 1972) that I took it upon myself to re-remember how to take a manual photograph. Wasn't easy, I forgot so much that I was about to go to the library for a book when my wife saved the day.
My wife back in her modeling days had been given a book by one of her photographers who was stuck on her (RON CLARK), and this book was (and is) my "how to take a decent photograph" bible. It's called "Photography, Adapted from the Life Library Of Photography" by Barbara and John Upton. Published in 1975, it really is a one volume masterpiece, probably out there now for a few dollars. A must read. After I read it (several times, making notes) I spent a while with the Nikon, trying to take some good shots.
Then, the second crucial book came to me (in these days right before the Internet) in a bookstore. Simply called "Collecting And Using Classic Cameras" by the late, great Ivor Matanle, it was an amazing overview of all the old camera systems and what would be fun to take pics with. A wonderful book.
Then I discovered LEICA via the Leica M6 (on prominent display at Woodland Hills Camera, USA in 2000) and I was an instant convert. So much lighter than the dead weight of the Nikon, so fun to use and so friggin' expensive. After finding wonderful old Leitz/Leica stuff on eBay for much less money, I collected a nice, old kit and I've been using Leica ever since. Hope this helps!
Bottom line, if you're interested, get that Barbara and John Upton book. It really is what you need to know about analog photography. It also is valid with the better digital cameras. You can take snapshots with your iPhone all day long. In order to take a photograph, you need to be able to control how you want it to look. Once you know that, you can really be the master..
How did YOU learn how to do it?