How do I start photography as only a hobby?

Gattu9005: How do I start photography as only a hobby?
I like taking pictures but I really want to learn photography. Should I take courses for it? What courses should I take just to learn basic stuff for photography?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Kazz
You Can Go To Clubs Locally, Or Just Go To Nice Places Like Forests/Lakes/Mountains and Take Pictures.
You Know Its Interesting When You’ve Done It All Yourself!

Answer by Ansell A
Go to your local library or bookstore and get a couple of books on the basics.
Read them and go out and put what you read into practise.
Check if there are any clubs or groups in your area for hobbyists and get involved.

If you want courses then check your local adult education centres which often run evening courses in basic, intermediate and advanced photography along with other things.

Answer by Charles
Hi,

Great news – this is a really rewarding hobby!

In addition to local photo clubs and evening/short courses, the web has a huge number of tutorials. Google “photography tutorial”, you will find everything from basic to advanced. Utube also has many vids on this.

Best is to take pictures, look at them and ask “what could I have done better”. Take a look at photosharing websites – flickr, photobucket etc and see what other people are doing – are yours better or not? This is a good and free way to improve your skills.

Read magazines – not photo ones – and see what style and type of images modern professionals are taking. I am a keen reader of my wife’s magazines!

You should also read the camera manual – at least twice. make sure you know how to operate the various controls immediately – almost without having to think. When you are out with your camera, if in doubt – take the shot and review it later.

Good luck!

Cheers
Charles

Answer by Chuck D
I can tell you one thing from personal experience: Read the manual, learn your camera, and get out and shoot lots of pictures. It doesn’t matter if 85% are no good, because it’s digital and you can just delete them. I read magazines and listen to podcasts, that’s what they say.

Answer by Ms.K
buy a good slr. not too fancy afterall its a hobby.
classes: intro to photo. traditional and digital

Best,
K

Answer by PrachiDesai36
Start out by getting a decent point & shoot and just start taking pictures of different things. Play with the settings, try different views, look for interesting things to photograph. There are several good beginner books out there to help give you pointers and ideas. Go to the library and the bookstore and flip through some until you find one you want to read. Once you get into the hobby a bit and think you will stick to it, then consider getting a more expensive camera. As far as classes, check out any local colleges in your area since many have community development classes that are free or cheap for people to take. Sometimes your local arts center will provide free or low-cost classes. You can also call some local camera stores in your area and see if there are any clubs or classes you can take part in. Local camera stores are also pretty good about helping you pick equipment and resources.