I AM VERY INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND I AM ALSO PREPARING FOR A HOW TO SPEECH IN MY COLLEGE SPEECH CLASS. HOW CAN I EXPLAIN HOW TO GET STARTED? ALSO IS THERE ANY CLASSES I CAN TAKE AND WHERE DO I GO?

-- AMANDA RICE (PILRICE@AOL.COM), February 18, 2002

Answers

Ever thought of entering that STRANGE place - the LIBRARY? You'd be amazed what you'll find there if you look.

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), February 18, 2002.

That's a bit harsh Alec, - but fair.
The purpose of this forum isn't to give a crash course in photography for raw beginners, or to write a class speech for you.
If you have a more specific question on a particular aspect of B&W printing, Amanda, then feel free to ask, but please STOP SHOUTING. It just makes you look like a troll.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), February 19, 2002.

If you are in college as you say, try the communications or art departments for photography classes. That is the easiest way. If you really want to learn, visit the library, photo.net, Tuan's large format home page, the B&W forum... all on the internet, or go to a photo shop in your area & purchase any modern adjustable 35mm single lens reflex camera & film. If you really want to learn, you will. If it is only an assignment you will do it, maybe even doing a passable job of it, and then move on.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), February 19, 2002.

Hi Amanda, This is a site I found very useful. http://www3.telus.net/drkrm/intro.htm (I hope I've done that right). It has everything you need to start. Sorry I can't help you with classes as there are none where I live.

-- Carol S. (carfred@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

Amanda

FWIW - firstly find yourself a good active camera club and then get to know some of the more long standing members. Ask lots of questions no matter how simple you think they may be. You have two objectives in your formative time as a novice photographer 1) you must learn the craft 2) you must learn to see to make effecive photographs. Number 1 is challenging but achievable whilst number 2 will require a great deal of dedication and plenty of practice. The greatest virtue you can have in starting out is patience because (and I speak from experience) your first results will be truly dreadful. Just remember that every photograph is a learning exercise not simply a failure. With regard to reading material I would suggest Basic Techniques of Photography Book 1, by John P Schaefer published by Little Brown. Schaefer worked as Ansel Adams assistant. This is a readable book that should get you started.

-- Adrian Twiss (avtwiss@ukonline.co.uk), February 24, 2002.