Posted by Beverly Elrod on August 7, 2007 at 2:46 AM
Where can a beginner photographer (on a limited income) get some help with photography? Also, I'm trying to upload some of my photos, which I have either in my files or somewhere else such as smugmug. Please explain how I can get them to post here on NPOM. I've attempted to do it but others are having trouble viewing the pics.
TIA
Beverly5876
I don't understand the URL ADDRESS OF .jpg PHOTO unless it's on the web and they've requested ONLY a photo URL. Definitely confused.
Hi Beverly! Welcome to NPN. Once you get used to how to use the site, you'll find it's the most helpful one on the internet. A great group of people, all very friendly and helpful.
As for help with photography, I would search the internet for other sites too that give tutorials on photography. One of the members here, Juza, has wonderful articles on his site. NPN has great articles as well. You may also check into your local community college for courses in photography. And check your library for books on the subject.
As for posting, I'm not sure what the guidelines are for members vs non-members, etc. And I don't understand your question about URL's (maybe someone else can help with that!). If you use photoshop though, you should use the save for web feature. Within that feature is a box to resize the photo...select 720 pixels for the longest side. Click apply. Then adjust the quality slider as needed to get the image just under 200 mb. The image is then ready to upload. If you still have problems, I'm sure others here can help get you going. Looking forward to seeing your photos!
Posted by David Bostedo on August 7, 2007 at 9:28 AM
Well Beverly :
-- This site is a very good source for photography help. Searching the forums for particular topics, or looking through the article archives can teach you a lot. If you have a particular topic of interest, simply Google searching can work well. A couple of sites I found very helpful are :
There are good topics about proper exposure, composition, sharpening, etc. Books on all the basics are good too, but I don't have any particular recommendations there.
As far as posting, you can only upload a picture from your computer if you are a member. You should still be able to post pictures by linking to other sites (as you've noted). In the "Post a Photo" form accesible at the top of the photo forums, there is a space to enter a URL address of a JPG - like one from another site.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Steve Foss on August 7, 2007 at 10:04 AM
From Alice: "Then adjust the quality slider as needed to get the image just under 200 mb."
Just wanted to clarify the image must be under 200 kb, not 200 mb.
One of the best places on the web for instructional articles is the Nature Photography 101 series right here at NPN.
Depending on where you live, there might be photography courses available through your local community college, too. Classes can be expensive these days, even at community colleges, but for many the combination of lecture, shooting assignments, one-on-one time with the instructor, and fellowship with other students really stimulates your learning and growth.
And as others have already pointed out, the NPN community is known far and wide for its nurturing atmosphere. Discussions are very well moderated and you'll find help for many of the problems you run into. Posting to the photo galleries and asking for specific critique and suggestions for improvement will move you along quickly.
Posted by Lance Warley on August 7, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Hi Beverly. I'll add Postprocessing to this thread. In addition to taking the pictures and getting them on the web, you will definitely want to learn some postprocessing software that will enable you to enhance the pictures.
If you're already familiar with this subject, just ignore the rest of this note.
Photoshop (version CS3) is the flagship product. However, some of us use Photoshop Elements (version 5 is the most current). Elements is definitely the junior version of Photoshop, but Elements is loaded with function, much easier to learn (my opinion, anyway) simply because it has less to learn, and much cheaper.
So, when you get to the postprocessing part of the hobby, my recommendation is Elements.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on August 7, 2007 at 12:44 PM
Lance said;
So, when you get to the postprocessing part of the hobby, my recommendation is Elements.
I will second that suggestion! It has everything you need for basic posting to the Web.
Posted by Sharon Menke on August 7, 2007 at 1:38 PM
Welcome Beverly!!
I have an older computer that did not meet the requirements of PhotoShop. So, I use Paint Shop Pro, which I have found is very user friendly. You will find that you will learn a lot from this site as well as getting assistance when you need it. Everyone here is very nice and very helpful.
Hey Beverly, Welcome to NPN. I will add my 2cents worth on Elements 5. I have been using Elements since veresion 2 and find it to be very easy to move around and understand. A book I have found to be very helpful is "The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers" by Scott Kelby. Even though it has a long name the book is very simple to use and what I call "See Spot Run" instructions. Pick a subject and it will walk you through it with illustrations and pictures. Keep at it and this board will help you out anytime you call.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on August 7, 2007 at 9:21 PM
I'll give another tunmbs up for Elements 5It runs about $100. For what it might be worth, every image I have every sold, either as a print or as rights, was editted using Elements 3. There is nothing worng with ths as a program, other than possibly the price. It is well worth it, and if you ever go up to its big brother, the transition is fairly seamless.
Discussion
10 repliesTIA
Beverly5876
I don't understand the URL ADDRESS OF .jpg PHOTO unless it's on the web and they've requested ONLY a photo URL. Definitely confused.
As for help with photography, I would search the internet for other sites too that give tutorials on photography. One of the members here, Juza, has wonderful articles on his site. NPN has great articles as well. You may also check into your local community college for courses in photography. And check your library for books on the subject.
As for posting, I'm not sure what the guidelines are for members vs non-members, etc. And I don't understand your question about URL's (maybe someone else can help with that!). If you use photoshop though, you should use the save for web feature. Within that feature is a box to resize the photo...select 720 pixels for the longest side. Click apply. Then adjust the quality slider as needed to get the image just under 200 mb. The image is then ready to upload. If you still have problems, I'm sure others here can help get you going. Looking forward to seeing your photos!
-- This site is a very good source for photography help. Searching the forums for particular topics, or looking through the article archives can teach you a lot. If you have a particular topic of interest, simply Google searching can work well. A couple of sites I found very helpful are :
Luminous Landscape
Cambridge In Colour
There are good topics about proper exposure, composition, sharpening, etc. Books on all the basics are good too, but I don't have any particular recommendations there.
As far as posting, you can only upload a picture from your computer if you are a member. You should still be able to post pictures by linking to other sites (as you've noted). In the "Post a Photo" form accesible at the top of the photo forums, there is a space to enter a URL address of a JPG - like one from another site.
Hope this helps.
Just wanted to clarify the image must be under 200 kb, not 200 mb.
Depending on where you live, there might be photography courses available through your local community college, too. Classes can be expensive these days, even at community colleges, but for many the combination of lecture, shooting assignments, one-on-one time with the instructor, and fellowship with other students really stimulates your learning and growth.
And as others have already pointed out, the NPN community is known far and wide for its nurturing atmosphere. Discussions are very well moderated and you'll find help for many of the problems you run into. Posting to the photo galleries and asking for specific critique and suggestions for improvement will move you along quickly.
If you're already familiar with this subject, just ignore the rest of this note.
Photoshop (version CS3) is the flagship product. However, some of us use Photoshop Elements (version 5 is the most current). Elements is definitely the junior version of Photoshop, but Elements is loaded with function, much easier to learn (my opinion, anyway) simply because it has less to learn, and much cheaper.
So, when you get to the postprocessing part of the hobby, my recommendation is Elements.
I will second that suggestion! It has everything you need for basic posting to the Web.
Adobe Elements
I have an older computer that did not meet the requirements of PhotoShop. So, I use Paint Shop Pro, which I have found is very user friendly. You will find that you will learn a lot from this site as well as getting assistance when you need it. Everyone here is very nice and very helpful.