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Websites (or Books) for the Camera Novice?

Posted by Cliff on Tuesday October 14, 2003 @11:45AM from the for-budding-shutterbugs dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "I've just purchased a new 4 megapixel digital camera after always having a simple point and shoot for years. It has all the functions and controls for full manual operation of aperture, shutter, etc. Things that I know little about. I'm looking for information on websites (or books) that will help a novice like me learn how and when to use these features, not just define what they are."

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Photo.net? by FattMattP · 2003-10-14 11:51 · Score: 2, Informative

What about photo.net?

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Take a class by SoCalChris · 2003-10-14 12:00 · Score: 2, Informative

If I'm understanding you right, it sounds like you are looking for an "Intro to photography" class more than an "Intro to digital photography". Check your local community colleges, and the better camera shops in your neighborhood for someone offering classes.
One online reference and some classic texts by muonzoo · 2003-10-14 12:14 · Score: 3, Informative
The best references I've seen are:
- Philip Greenspun runs and excellent photo site. It has been around for years, and the tutorials and/or comments are hard to beat.
- In print, the best starting point, in my opinion are four of Ansel Adam's books. In particular:
  1. The Camera;
  2. The Negative;
  3. The Print, and;
  4. Basic Techniques
You don't have to subscibe to the "Zone System" but you would benefit greatly from understanding the material. Certain tips are just timeless and it won't matter if you are shooting 20x24, 8x10, 4x5, 6x6, 35mm or some sort of digital thingy. The basics stay the same.