What things do I need to have photography as a hobby? Any advice?

I don't want to go to school for it, or maybe I do. I'm only 16 so I'm not sure on my career choice yet.





I might just want to do it for fun. I love taking pics of my family with my digital camera but I want the ';professional'; look of photos. I want to try taking pics of other things too.





Maybe like using those expensive nikon cameras. And I want to print them to make a picture album.What things do I need to have photography as a hobby? Any advice?
I know this is going to sound archaic, but go out and get yourself a simply SLR. And when I mean simple, I mean a Pentax K1000. It has no bells and no whistles. It is a plain, mechanical camera which requires the user to actually learn how to manipulate and utilize light. Shoot cheap film at first and accept the fact you'll make mistakes.





It is like anything in life, you have to start at the bottom and learn your way up. I've been trained in both photography and carpentry. And as a carpenter, I wouldn't hand you a pneumatic nailer without first knowing that you actually know how to use a hammer. I can't imagine why anyone would think photography would require any less dedication.





But I'll also tell you that once you have mastered the K1000, there isn't a camera you won't be able to master or an image you won't be able to reproduce.





Hope that helps and good luck in your future endeavours.What things do I need to have photography as a hobby? Any advice?
Before you spend a ton of money on cameras and equipment, practice with an inexpensive camera. You can always upgrade when you can afford it and remember they improve on the cameras about every year. If you are using film or digital, you can usually do a lot with an inexpensive camera. You can actually now get prints from a digital easier than film. Until you understand what it takes to make a good photo, there is no need for a top of the line SLR.
Depending on what you want to do, here's a list which apart from Point 1, is not in any particular order...





1) A good camera - ideally a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) - I like Nikon or Canon, but a Sony DSLR and some others are okay too.


2) A tripod. You can get a cheap one to start with, but to get the crispest shots possible a tripod is a 'must-have'.


3) Hand-held light reflector - these don't cost a lot and are an easy way to 'play' with lighting both indoors and outdoors. There are small ones, but a large one is best for doing full-body shots. The downside is you often need an assistant to hold the reflector in place.


4) Good set of lenses, and a speedlight flash. Don't use the camera's built-in flash.


5) PhotoShop (or PShop Elements if you are on a tight budget) for image improvement and manipulation.


6) A full studio set-up if you want to become properly pro for in studio work. There are plenty of pros who don't ever use a studio too though, for landscape and other outdoor work for example.
buy an slr camera


(its a big black one)


its so much better for professional photography because of focus, lighting, and so much more thta you can learn about


take a photography course in school or out of school





i recommend olympus E-410 or E-510. 410 is what i have, and its good because its basic and relatively cheap, and the 510 is small so its an easier transition from digital camera to slr.
I think the camera choice is totally up to you, after all I'm not buyng it.





What you really need though is the knowledge to work it without the camera telling you what it thinks-- all those fancy automatic modes. Learn by reading books, practice until there is nothing more you can do.





If you want to go to the next level then, well you'll be ready for it.
canon cameras are really good


you will need some sort of program on your computer, eg photoshop so you can edit them, becasue photography isnt just about taking the actual photo, there is alot of theory


such as lighting, angle etc


in photoshop you can edit skin and stuff like tha bt also the basic stufff like lighting and things


they have free 30 day trials for all their programs so you can try i out before buying
Camera doesn't matter nearly as much as the eye behind the viewfinder. I have a Nikon D200 and love it, but its not required to take good pictures. Just shoot a lot and learn from it. Read forums and post photos for critique on sites like http://digital-photography-school.com and http://www.flickr.com . I'd recommend the Nikon p80 if you don't have to cash for a full on DSLR. Learn to use editing software to get a pro look. Photoshop or GIMP Lightroom or Fast Stone image viewer. Get photos printed by real printers like shutterfly.com york or any professional printer instead of the old injet
first u must decide if you're going for the digital or analog method.





digital: Definitely a good nikon cameras, D80 upwards





Analog: You would need to set up your own darkroom. a small area, where you develop and enlarge your pics
You need a really good camera and studio lighting.
buy a nice 100 dollar camera i prefer nikon. if u got extra money buy lenses and lighting, but u probably dont ur 16. get a nice camera
a good camera
lomography.com
are you at school at the moment? why not choose photography as a subject? thats what im doing and its great!