Another Apprentice :)

[Seriche]

Hello

I've enjoyed reading the tutorials and looking at all the inspiring work on this site.

I'm here in the hope that you can help a complete beginner.

I'm going to start with landscape. It will take me a good few years to become any good at this at all, but I can finally put photography first and am in no hurry.. Just as long as I can see small improvements over time, I'll be happy My only goal is to make my photos reflect what I see in my mind's eye.

I've been collecting equipment: A 450D plus some EF-S lenses, a 5D Mark II, Canon 17-40 mm f/4 L, 24-105 mm f/4 L IS, 100 mm macro, Sigma 105 mm, (Manfrotto tripod, geared and ball heads, Polarising filter, ND filters, remote etc) Plus LR3 and CS5....and I barely know how to use any of them.

I've been doing close ups in the garden in manual for some time to get used to the relationships between aperture settings, shutter speed and ISO. I've read a lot of books about techniques but none of it will make real sense until I get out there and make useful mistakes.

On Tuesday I'll be going out before sunrise to walk around the coast for a few hours. I used to just point a small silver box on auto at whatever interested me. Now I need to think. On this trip I have a choice of grassy dunes, granite-type rocks, old cottages, sandy and rocky bays and plenty of sea. I'd be very grateful for any advice as to what I should do as a first step. A challenge or task would be much appreciated. I'm happy to do anything to help me learn.

Seri

[Donald]

I'm here in the hope that you can help a complete beginner.

The answer to that one is definitely 'YES'.

It will take me a good few years to become any good at this at all, but I can finally put photography first and am in no hurry.. Just as long as I can see small improvements over time, I'll be happy

And that, I would suggest, is a very healthy attitude to be adopting.

Welcome Seri and I hope you enjoy being part of CiC. I hope you have seen that, as well as some inspiring images, the exchanges between people on the forum, are very much about offering supportive advice and suggestions. So, if you want to learn, there are always people on here willing to answer questions and give constructive comments and criticism.

[Seriche]

Thank you so much for the welcome, Donald. It's great to find a forum full of so many creative people who are kind enough to share their knowledge. A long time ago I promised myself that I'd take up photography when all other responsibilities were fulfilled, so this is a very exciting time for me

Seri