Newbie!

[MelyssaG]

Hello, I am new... and very excited and eager to soak up everyone's knowledge and grow!!

Ill tell you a bit about my self, I am currently practicing photography, I am staring college for art and design fundamentals (1yr) then after building a portfolio from that course i go on to do 2 yrs of digital photography and imaging.

I have little to no experience I've had my cam for about 2-3 months, before that i used a good ol point and shoot and my ever so handy bb!! I am a very kinesthetic learner, I am young, with two kids I work part time (addictions diploma) and I have started to build my equipment. So far I have a canon rebel xs, EF-S 18-55 IS, 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO (sigma) and a 430EX flash oh and a tripod

I am having alot of troubles because I have to wait to start school to get any sort of advice, and what not so im just winging it, I have horrible exposure, I have had troubles with sharpness, I dont have photoshop until january, So what I was using was picnik (i know its probably the worst out there????) but ive just recently downloaded GIMP and im looking into paint.net.... what do you suggest for a free editor? Also im not familiar too much with the slangs and terminology although i am trying to learn.

I had uploaded a few of my most recent fav's although I wish I could upload them all :P I would love any advice critiques and anything your willing to offer to help send me on the right track!!! maybe I should upload my worst? lol

Ok well as i was trying to upload ive run into a problem!! my images are to big which leads me to my VERY first forum question! in what free program can I resize, and in what dimensions!!!! HELP PLEASE!! eek!


Thank you all so much in advance for your help.

Melyssa G

[n8]

Welcome aboard!
You very well may learn as much here as you do from a class, but the key will be putting your stuff out there and absorbing the feedback. And questions. When we speak in confusing photog speak, ask for translation.
I've personally worked with paint.net and liked it. It's free, give it a shot. After that, photoshop elements has a bulk of what you'd need for photo editing, although once you get into true photoshop you won't turn back...my experience anyway.
To post your photos, you need first resize them down to a max of 800px on the long end in whatever editor you're using (and make sure to save as to avoid converting your images too much).
Good to see another addictions counselor in here.

[MelyssaG]

Thank you!!

As I was trying to download Paint.net for whatever reason there was a "fatal error" and it could not complete..... I dont really like the sounds of that so Ill jut stick with GIMP... which I have NO idea how to use or even where to start for that matter

Ill have to post something on here maybe someone can help to get me started!!

[LeeIs]

hey welcome to PR Melyssa.

[EOSThree]

Hi Melyssa,
I am unfamiliar with GIMP, I'd start with the GIMP Tutorials page, it has a photo editing section. Welcome to the forums.

[MelyssaG]

Thank you!! i've started to youtube GIMP how to's and beginner stuff. hopefully i can get the basics down and then go from there

[Greg McCary]

There are several resizing web sites out there, just Google it.

[Jaedon]

Welcome to the forums. You will probably find that this community can help your photography better than a classroom as there are people of all levels offering their critiques and opinions. Do not take them personally as we don't know YOU but we do see your image. I have learned so much from this board that I feel it is my duty to give back in critiques for others. And just like others above me have said... if we get too technical with our photo-speak just ask for a translation to improve your understanding.