Library Snap Shot Day 2024 is on Monday, April 1, 2024: Camera for a beginner photographer (wildlife shots, peoplemodeling, skysunsetsclouds, etc)?
Monday, April 1, 2024 is Library Snap Shot Day 2024. Library Snapshot Day: A Day in the Life of Your Library Snapshot Day Library Snapshot
If you are serious about learning photography, and don't simply want to take snap-shots, you need to get a low-end camera kit. They will run you about $500 to $700. They include the camera body and a lens (usually a zoom lens). Most major companies make a good basic camera. You should do some reading on photography and learn the jargon before you start seriously shopping for a camera so you understand what the different terms mean when you read ratings and reviews.
If you just want to jump in with a little point-and-shoot starter camera you can pick up something useful for around $125-$300. If you go this route you will still learn some of the basics of taking photographs, but if you are serious about photography you will outgrow a point-and-shoot in about six months.
Either way, I would check a book or two out of the library to get a feel for what you want to do before making any final decision.
WHow do you create visual interest on a group shot, that involves dogs and officers?hat would you like to ask?
Wow! They are really making it difficult for you, but it sounds like they want to be sure they convey a "we're your friends" attitude. Now that I have that out of the way, let me give this a shot.
Try positioning them around the sites around town - for example, a fountain like this at the first link below. You could select other sites - gazebos, library, anything that is scenic. I think a good approach here is that you don't simply line them up and snap a shot. (This is even trying my creative side...
Perhaps a different angle will work better. Focus on the dogs, instead of the officers. Something like this at the second link below (but you'll have to work out the group shot).
You could try to line up the dogs with their officers behind them and shoot from one end of the line for a different effect. You might even get the dogs to go into a stance as if they were sniffing out drugs.
Do they have a training area where they could position themselves at different, but close together, obstacles?
Do the dogs have gear they wear in specials instances? Something like this at the third link below . That would take it a little out of the ordinary.
Finally, keep in mind that some people just want a simple straight up photo. And even though that is true, there are some that want a little more. So let them know up front that you're going to be working with them and you want their ideas, even though you have some of your own. It sounds like it would make me nervous, but it sounds like a great deal of fun. One of my last assignments in the Air Force was to inspect the instructors at the K9 school in San Antonio. The dogs became my favorite Air Force weapon system after that. They are simply incredible! Have fun. Enjoy.
Good Luck and Good Shooting!
What do you think of these photos?
Shooting into the sun produces glare and washed out tones, which unfortunately cannot be rescued by pumping the contrast and saturation. Lens flare, as in your sunset shot, is usually a detraction and not an asset. Shooting from "different angles", as you will hear advised a lot here on Y!A can be a dynamic aid in your composition, or it can look like a mess. Up Into the Blue was more mess than dynamic, although I liked the white and blue. Baseball is your best from that group. The others look like novice beginner's snaps with various exposure and compositional issues. They are OK shots for your album, but you can do much better if you put some effort into learning some artistic and technical aspects of the craft.
Look for good light, first of all. Most of yours appeared to be shot in harsh mid-day sun, which is not the best. Go out early or late in the day. Learn to see the light. Take a class if possible, or visit your library or bookstore and pick up a book on beginning photography. Even if you don't have an adjustable camera, you can learn the basics and build your skill from there. Best wishes.
