Monster

It's Aliiiiivvvveee!!
Gordon, what have you done! 
Seriously, he'll do fine. Just set him on auto pilot and wish him God Speed.
Jarrell

 

Maybe you can refer him here:

www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons

There's everything in there including lenses, aperture, shutter speed, histogram, blinky highlights, and even post processing. He might find it useful.

 

Gordon,

So glad you were willing to help someone. I have had to learn it all the hard way. By myself and some great words from Jarrell that I always keep in mind.


Do you remember the daunting look you had at your first camera glimps.

I am proud of you.

Keep up the good work.

 

GHO,

Thanks for reminding me. I need to go back to your site. It is truly great, easy to understand.

I need to go over these things often, there is so much to remember.

The older I get the less I remember :>)))))

Then sometime I say to heck with it, point the camera and shoot. To my suprise I will get something good.

Then I saw an oldddddddd engine that really fasinated me, and even set up the shot to get the wheel in movement :>))) I was so proud.

 

Wow GHO,

Your web site has really increased. I am still reading. Can see by time of posts. Wonderful Job.

Thank you so much. You have explaind some things I haven't seen explained in any of the books etc, making understanding much easier.

When is your book coming out. :>))

Thank You again.

 

Gordon, you're a better man than I!! LOL I'm bad enough trying to teach people about computers and fix their problems over the phone, but when people ask if I can give them camera lessons for their new cameras, I always point them to the local camera store's Digital Photography 101 one-day course. I just tell them I don't know all the different cameras so they're better off with a course. Of course, you can't use that excuse if the guy has the same gear!! LOL It will be very interesting to see what short of shots he comes back with! Good for you.

 

No where.... you did a very kind thing. However you simply say no when he calls again. Here's what I'd say to him.

"I was glad to help you, but it looks like you purchased a camera which is a bit more powerful than you thought. I have many personal activities which prevent me from spending more time with you. However, (then you give him the web sites or recommend a local photo store) you can try these sources for assistance."

Most reasonable people will understand and thank you. If he tries negotiating for a specific smaller time or gives other signs of a "control" relationship be very firm and say, "no I'm sorry I've just got too much going on in my personal activities to give any further help."

He will be disappointed, but you've been more than helpful.

Rich

 

Gordon,

I think Rich has summed it up nicely, in every respect. You have been very generous, but there are many people who don't realize how long it takes to learn new equipment and, perhaps more to the point, to learn some of the basics of photography as well. His best bet would be to use a point and shoot -- and I don't mean that condescendingly. That would maximize his chances of getting decent shots in that situation.

Just my 2¢ worth...

 

He's probably seen your work and thought 'I want to make pictures like that!' Remember the guy on DPR with the tag-line that asked what piano could make him play like Mozart?

If you don't mind being around him for a short while, take him around the yard on a little shooting trip, so he can see the work, skill and talent that it also takes to shoot like you. Then maybe he'll feel brave enough to try it on his own.

Or maybe he'll just run out and buy all the same glass too...  

 

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax;

 

I guess it's his money, huh? Teach him about P mode and auto ISO and auto WB. It might be interesting to see what a rank tyro* can do with such top notch equipment in full auto!

* I've always wanted to use the phrase 'rank tyro' but is seems so mean, yet somehow applicable here... :|

 

Glad you find it useful Gale. Actually, I haven't had time to do anything to it since I put it up there. The only thing I've been adding to is the galleries.

I've still got to write up some photoshop stuff, but I just haven't had the time lately.

 

Gordon, I always know you have a great heart inside. You don't do anything wrong here. If I was you, I would do the same thing. What I have learned with time is after giving a crash course on the equipment, I always suggest a basic setting (everything in auto mode as Chris101 said) to begin with. Cheers, my friend.

 

This is a hoot, Gordon. If he went 2 weeks without being able to identify the on/off switch, I wouldn't rate his chances of mastering the s2h as very high :lol:.

Unless he's a relative or a dear friend, I don't think you should have any reservations about charging him for your time and expertise. The next time he offers to pay, take him up on it. $50/hr. is the going rate for individual dance instruction, and is very reasonable for consulting services in a skill area. It will either encourage him to do some independent study, or help build you a nice bankroll for your next case of lens lust.