Crazy Hobbies - I'm thinking about photography as a hobby...?

I'm thinking about photography as a hobby...?

I'm 17, and I'm looking for a new hobby. Photography is something that's been in the back of my mind for quite a while, but I've never acknowledged it. So I only have kind of a standard point-and-shoot digital camera, and no experience in actual photography. I just like to be the one to hold the camera on vacations and stuff. My pics are usually alright...my aunt (experienced photographer) tells me I have a good eye. So it looks like a very promising venture for me! The downside is that with university looming on the horizon, I probably can't afford to buy any kind of nice camera, and there's always the risk that I won't like it as much as I hope, and the money will be wasted. It occurs to me that I don't really have a question to ask, lol. I guess I'm just asking for advice of any kind, based on what I've told you. Do you think I should try my hand at photography? What can you tell me about cameras (Do I need a good one? What sort of price range would suffice? Any good deals?)

Public Comments

you can still indulge your photographic eye, with a point and shoot camera, until you can afford something which does a bit more. Concentrate on composition and subject matter. There are some good books on the market, aimed at digital photography, which will give you pointers on composition, and creative ideas. If you can afford a DSLR, that would be the best entry, for someone serious about photography. They start at about $500 for a basic kit, and go up into the thousands, you can add additional lenses later on. Another option, is an "Advanced Digital" they fall somewhere in between a "point & shoot" and a DSLR/SLR camera. You would have full control over the aperture (lens opening) and shutter speed, as well as the ISO and other options. Some of these cameras are quite good. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ series of cameras has excellent Leica lenses, and would be a good brigde between the P&S and the DSLR... ($300-$500 depending upon the model) go to http://dpreview.com and compare the different cameras, side by side, see which you like.. then go to a real camera store (not walmart or best buy) and hold the different cameras, ask the sales person questions, and buy the one which fits you best :) Good Luck
You could get a film SLR and lens used cheap. Shoot that way for a while. There are also a lot of online resources that will help you increase your knowledge. www.betterphoto.com www.apogeephoto.com www.photozo.com www.nikonians.org www.nikongear.com www.luminous-landscape.com www.nikonusa.com www.canon.com www.tamron.com
Well, definitly let it be a hobby, even if it doesn't go much further that that. I have a small, basic point and shoot digital camera as well, and have gotten some good pictures on it, mostly nature shots because I am going to college in the middle of the Adirondack State Park for forestry. First and foremost, find something that you really like doing for college and if it's photography thats cool. If not, keep taking those pictures and save your good ones. Who knows, something may come up in your future job (if you won't go into photography at first) and they may need some good shots of something. Or if you want to, you can get a degree now, and eventually get a degree in photography later. If you think you want to do something with photography now, then I'm sure there are many options. Someone I know (through a friend) is going to college for art therepy. Maybe there's something like that for photography. Most of all, enjoy photography as a hobby, even if it doesn't amount to much besides a hobby.
You might be able to afford a basic, consumer-quality digital SLR camera and a simple but useful lens. You can often get a decent Canon SLR camera with a plastic body for around $600 including the lens. That should give you years of enjoyment and photography experience until you're able financially to move up to nicer equipment. You can always start with your point-and-shoot! Read the manual and figure out how to control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on the camera you have now. And read up on what each of those three controlable elements do, and how they effect a photo. That is a great place to start!