JT Spunk | Photography

Best way for a beginner to get into photography besides taking a class?

I am really itnerested in photography and have been researching about it lately. Everyone has mixed opinions on how to get into it. I currently have a Nikon Coolpix plain old digital camera and want to upgrade. Should I make the jump to a DSLR (and learn the ropes myself and through online because I cant take classes because my parents work until late) or buy a nicer point and shoot digital and work my way up eventually?
Please also include camera suggestions!
I really appreciate you answers in advance thanks you!

i don’t think buying a new point and shoot to replace an older point and shoot is “upgrading”. I guess if you got one of those “zoom lens reflex” (point and shoots that are made to look like SLRs) it might be considered an upgrade. It would depend on the features of the particular camera.

If you have hundreds of dollars to spend, it makes more sense to buy an SLR and basic lens. That’s how most people learn who don’t take a class (that’s how I learned – I learned with an AE-1 Program film camera and a 50mm prime lens). But if you can take a good class, that will greatly decrease your learning curve. I regret not taking a photo class when I was younger.

As far as cameras, any decent camera from a well known or reputable company will work. I’m always amazed at how people on this website stress themselves out trying to decide over two slightly different camera models, as if that is really going to make a big difference in their picture-taking ability (I can assure you it will NOT).

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