Skill Expansion Resources

I had the opportunity to share some resources with a newly-interested-in-photography chap the other day when he asked about classes and lessons in the area. That is when it struck me that not everyone in the world goes to the web as a first check when researching and learning something new. While that is a good thing because of the nature of the web and the limitless amounts of biased and simply false information that is out there, it can also be a hindrance to armature photogs who could be accessing a nearly limitless wealth of technique instruction, equipment review, idea starters/inspiration, and valuable critique resources.

Thus, I have decided to start a compilation of links and material to hopefully save folks some time and help them make the jump from point-the-camera-and-hit-the-button to truly planning their shots and producing results that will stand out.

(If you are a beginner and finding the following links helpful, non-helpful...too basic...whatever, let me know in the comments and feel free to post links you like that are not on the page already.
Try not to get bogged down with all the 'school' ...these are best used as tools to allow you to understand and develop techniques...to empower your creativity...)

Keep checking back as I will be updating the list as I remember them.

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Stay in the know.

This week in photography is a great blog/community/podcast for anyone wanting to stay up on latest news, tips, tech, and the industry as a whole. Check out the TWIP site, or look up the podcast.




Buying equipment? I recommend checking these sites first

- Digital Photography Review  [DPreview]  (nearly a comprehensive list of any current camera ...and a lot of old ones too)

- KenRockwell.com (excellent reviews with good examples and comparisons)



Want to improve your skills?

- Digital-Photography-School.com  [DPS]  (a great all around site - searchable for specifics, great tutorials, good basics, lots of creative ideas...also has equipment/camera info and post-proc tutorials)

Basics from DPS
Photography 101 (good place to start - more links at the bottom of the page)
How to Hold a Digital Camera (super basic camera shake reduction)


Another site I like for not only info, but ideas and ways to save money and great DIY projects
-  DIYphotography.net  [DIY]  (it gives recycling a whole new meaning)

more from DIY to bring you up to speed
Back to Basics (nice analogies for the visual learners among us)
Tutorials (nice string of tutorials that are frequently updated)



Want to learn off-camera flash? (professional quality lighting)
- Strobist (also posts reviews, tutorials, DIY, idea starters)

More from David Hobby at the Strobist blog
Lighting-101 (if you start here...
Lighting-102 (...you will be a pro by the end of this)



Some excellent photographers (that are informative, and inspiring for me)

Chase Jarvis (check out his  blog)


Drew Gardner (and the blog)


Joe McNally (these guys like to blog)


David and Libby Nightingale (this blog has confusing nav features at first...)



Shooting a wedding are you?
Nice page of several different posts related to Wedding Photography by DPS.

While you are at it, there is a ton of great info from those who have gone before you in many Flickr groups.

If you plan to start a wedding photography business, this one is for you.
Or if you want info on wedding photography in general...
or if you are simply stumped for wedding poses on your next shot, and of course,
don't forget the details.