This is the age of the Internet – if you can’t find an article on photography, you’re not looking at all.
And if you are looking, chances are you’re overwhelmed. Google “photography” and you get 317 million results. ”Learn photography” is somewhat better, at 1.5 million results. We’ve uncovered the not-so-secret flaw of the Internet – there’s too much information to possibly sort through. To make matters worse, many of the results are worthless because they are either bad advice, or written by someone who wants to sell you something.
The Web can be a great resource for information on photography. The more specialized the information you want, the narrower the range of results you’re likely to get, although you’ll almost always get something useful if you ask correctly. It would be foolhardy to even try and compile a full listing of good photography sites, and I’m not even going to try. Instead I’m going to highlight several sites that helped me when I was starting out, and which still help me even now.
DPC, as it’s known to its fans, is the first site I joined when I took up photography and I am still a member today – it is worth every cent of the $25 annual fee to become a full member (you can be a registered user for free). The site is based around several weekly challenges, each of which has a theme that ranges from very specific to very vague. There are no prizes except for virtual ribbons and bragging rights. More impressive than the challenges is the forums, which hold a wealth of knowledge and are constantly prowled by obsessed dedicated members who are the most open, generous, and helpful I’ve ever encountered on the Web. They’ll answer any photography question you have (or point you in the right direction), they’ll impress you with their range of skill, and many will even meet up for local get togethers and go shooting.
Strobist began as a blog written by photojournalist David Hobby in Baltimore, MD. Since then it has grown to become one of the premier photography sites on the Web, specializing in off-camera lighting. Hobby draws on his years as a working photographer to produce excellent tutorials and articles that cover every imaginable aspect of lighting; his trademark is lighting via Speedlight-style flashes. The site is so popular that Hobby has since retired from photojournalism and dedicates his time to a mixture of personal work, seminars, and adding to his site. If you want to learn to light, this is the place to go.
FM boasts an expansive and dedicated forum of its own that is comparable to DPC’s. The real gem, however, is the Reviews section. Member generated, the reviews cover Canon & Nikon systems, as well as Sigma, Tamron, & Tokina lenses, and an assortment of accessories. The reviews are easy to navigate, list the pros & cons of each model, as well as a detailed account of each user’s experience and opinion. If you want to know what other photographers think of a particular lens or body, this is the place to go.
Photographers are cheap – or perhaps we’re just major geeks. Either way, we hate to spend money on something that we can make ourselves out of velcro, duct tape, cardboard, and foam sheets. The best part is, most of the DIY projects listed work just as well as the manufactured item, if not better. Home Depot is your friend if you hang out here and you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty.
Yahoo’s photo-centric site. It’s much talked about and has a huge number of users that cover every possible skill level. User groups help draw together photographers with similar interests. Be forewarned, however, that they are one of the primary targets for image theft. Personally, I use them for inspiration – there are amazing photographs buried amid the mediocre, and sometimes the photographer was even kind enough to leave a few notes for the curious.
The Holy Grail of photography stores, located in New York City. They are often listed as the most trust-worthy and dependable, especially when the Web is filled with scammers. Their prices are usually pretty good and their staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They’re also a good source for equipment reviews. Even if you don’t end up buying gear from them, they are an excellent resource for research.
A professional print lab with a wide range of products, ranging from regular prints to specialty photo items. Everything I’ve ever ordered from them has come out looking just right. They offer tools and simple options for the casual user as well as advanced options for the professional photographer. Shipping is fast, quality is top-notch, and customer support is on the ball.
