Shot Rockers has amazing classes to help you take better photos. I have been trying to get better at photography for a while now and my husband has been trying to explain the concepts to me for a while, but for some reason the numbers just do not sink in. I think it is partially because the numbers are so counter intuitive. I end up using the intelligent auto setting on my NEX-5n more often than not. My camera even explains what different things mean and I still just don’t get it.
Shot Rockers has been changing all that with their videos and assignments. Instead of just explaining the concepts and expecting my auditory learning ability to be enough, Tony Murray of Shot Rockers shows and tells how it all works. Also, the assignments have proven very helpful to me as well. The hands-on class schedule is the closest thing to have a personal instructor. I have only watched a few videos and done a few assignments and I can already tell the difference in my photos. If you want to get better at photography, I would highly recommend these classes.
Here are some photos that I took after watching the exposure video from Shot Rockers that focused on shutter speed. Shutter speed is how fast your camera takes the photo. I put my camera into Shutter Priority mode (S mode or TV mode). I went from the slowest to the fastest shutter speed. My NEX-5n goes from 30 – 1/4000 shutter speed. 1/4000 is 1/4000 of a second. The slowest shutter speed while holding a camera for people who keep very still is 1/60, but if you are shakey, then probably the lowest shutter speed would be 1/250. That is if your subject is still. Kids and dogs do not hold still as you can see with Harrison Ford. For kids, the slowest shutter speed is 1/250.
Here are some of the lessons from Shot Rockers:
Day 1: Learn to Rock
Day 2 Rocking Exposure (Shutter Speed)
Day 3: Rocking Exposure (Aperture)
Day 4: Rocking Exposure (ISO)
Day 5: Rocking Full Manual
Day 6: Exposure Compensation
Day 7: Understanding Light
Day 8: Smart Focus
Day 9: Get The Sharp Photo
Day 10: So Many Lenses
Day 18: Conquer Composition
Day 21: After You’ve Taken the Photo (Editing)
Day 24: Sweetastic Portraits (yep, its a word)
Here are some of the pictures from my assignment:
This is my favorite picture. I wish it was faster so that it looked better.
Disclosure: Shot Rockers has provided the Beginner Guide to Better Photos to me for free for this review. As always, all opinions are my own.
I’m with you…the f-stop numbers are so confusing to me. That’s where I get lost.
I just recently heard of them myself! I love taking photography courses, wasn’t it fun?
I am taking an online class, well I”m trying but I think it may end before I get to finish it. I can’t seem to find the time.
I took photography throughout high school, but that was a very, VERY, long time ago. I would really like to improve my photography skills and use a real camera instead of my horrible cell phone camera.
I took a photography class with a local photographer. I want to take his post processing one too.
I ma looking for a local photography class.
I desperately need to improve my photography. Thanks for sharing this!
This is so cool! I love reading photography tips!
I need to work on my photography more.
I just got a new camera earlier this year and just started to play with the settings outside of the automatic one.
I dabble with manual, but for the most part I’m a wimp and stay on auto.
Learning how to properly use a DSLR camera is time consuming, but oh so worth it!
Looks like a fun class!
This is awesome, I *so* need to do this…
I need to work on my photography more as well. I wish I had more time.
I love this! Sounds like a really fun class.
I’ve taken a photography class, but it was quite short and minimal and definitely did not include using advanced cameras of today. Shotrockers sounds like the perfect opportunity to really understand how to make use of your camera to its best ability! I didn’t know much about shutter speed so thank you for explaining so simply the concept. Your photos really help demonstrate this as well. Harrison Ford makes for a great focal subject!
I plan to make the DSLR plunge soon and know I will be using it on auto for awhile. I would love to get some Shot Rockers help!
This sounds awesome. I need some kind of instruction. I have had a DSLR for a while now and really need to learn how to properly use it.
I really need to take a class. I got my camera a year ago & have no idea how to use it except in auto!
I need to take one sometime, but I stay super busy!
I need to try this out. I would love to learn more on photography.