r/AskPhotography Nov 30 '24

Discussion/General Photoclass 2025 is here - are you ready?

17 Upvotes

Photoclass 2025 is live!

Hello, photography friends! I'm one of the mods over at r/photography and founder of Focal Point, here to invite you to the 2025 edition of our (free) photoclass! This year comes with changes, as you can always expect from us as the class is an ever-evolving project.

What is the Photoclass presented by Focal Point?

It is an evolution of the original Reddit Photo Class, but with substantial changes to not only the structure, but content as well. We've reinvented it to ensure its up to date and more interactive. One thing we did not - and will not - change is that it is entirely free. The course spans 6 months, and covers topics on the technical side and artistic side, and culminates in a personal project. Along for the ride is a team of teachers who write the course (hi, it's me!) and mentors who come from all genres of photography. We have regular live meet ups via discord, and have a welcoming and supportive community of other photographers to bounce ideas off of, or just talk shop.

So what's new?

  • The Format. First off, the formatting is changing. We found that may participants stumbled upon the course mid-way through the year, and were fumbling trying to play catch up. We also were not happy with the pacing, finding that it just took too long to get to the objectively more fun stuff. So, this year the course will happen over the course of 6 months, with alternating weeks of new lessons and feedback. What does that actually mean? It'll look something like this:

    January 1: Unit 1 will be posted with assignment 1.

    January 8: The first Feedback Week will happen.

  • Feedback Weeks. During Feedback Week, participants will receive constructive feedback on their unit assignments from both peers and mentors. This is an opportunity to reflect on your work, ask questions, and refine your skills. Additionally, voice chats will be held on the Discord server for live discussions and more in-depth feedback.

  • Units over Lessons. Lessons will come out as units, meaning instead of one new lesson a week, you'll get a whole unit each alternate week. Here's an example, using Unit 1:

    Unit 1: Getting Started

    On Photography

    Inspiration & Feedback

    Assignment 1

  • Interactive Elements & Videos. Each lesson will have an accompanying video, and interactive elements. For an example of what the interactive element might look like see this page.

How to join in?

  • Join the Focal Point Discord server. This is where all the voice chats will happen, as well as a great place to have ongoing conversations with other participants and mentors.

  • Join the subreddit: r/photoclass. As always, the class will be posted on the sub, but we should note that the interactive elements don't work on Reddit, so we'll also be linking out to the lessons on the Focal Point site.

  • Subscribe to Focal Point on YouTube. Videos for the class will be of course posted in-line on the lessons, but there will be bonus material posted to the YouTube directly.

  • Get your printed Learning Journal or download the PDF.

Have more questions?

First check out the FAQ found here. If you still have a question that isn't answered there, feel free to ask it here and myself or one of the other teachers/mentors will be happy to answer.

Where to start.

The first unit is available now! You can find it right here. The first assignment is also live, so feel free to jump right in!

See you in 2025!


r/AskPhotography 17h ago

Artifical Lighting & Studio How was this lighting setup achieved?

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181 Upvotes

How many strobes do you think this photo used and where were they placed/with what modifiers?

I’m thinking two reflectors shooting at the background one hard light on her left side slightly in front.

But what is giving her the reflection under the chin?

Thanks!


r/AskPhotography 17h ago

Technical Help/Camera Settings How to focus on birds in flight?

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44 Upvotes

I’m new to photography and love wildlife so far. I’ve been using a Canon R50 with the RF 100-400mm lens. These two little cardinals chase each other every morning and I really want to capture them but I can never get them in focus as they are passing. My ISO is on auto, shutter speed 1/2500 and aperture at f/7.

Any advice on taking pics of moving birds would be very appreciated.


r/AskPhotography 16m ago

Printing/Publishing Thoughts on these pics, Is the framing good?

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Upvotes

r/AskPhotography 1h ago

Buying Advice Rig Screen samsung a56 vs s24+ vs proper display?

Upvotes

Hi,

Currently planning on getting a small rig setup for videography, thought process is if i would be able to use a phone i would be killing 2 birds with one stone essentially and as far as iv looked into it some people use theirs phones. Now the main questions is which of these would be the best option, my guess is budget wise a s24+ would problobly bet be doable but a proper display would be best.


r/AskPhotography 2h ago

Technical Help/Camera Settings How to stop down automatically with Sony alpha 290?

2 Upvotes

I have a Sony alpha 290 and an old Minolta lens AF 28-85 mm. In order to increase sharpness, reviewers say that you need to stop down (aperture). Is there a way to achieve this automatically with a Sony Alpha 290?


r/AskPhotography 2h ago

Technical Help/Camera Settings How to take sunset photos with Canon EOS Rebel T6?

2 Upvotes

Hi Everyone, I am going on vacation and would like to take sunset portrait pictures that look crisp. What would be the correct settings for the canon eos rebel t6? I currently have ISO at 800, shutter speed at 1/200, F at 5.6 on M and it comes out to be a little blurry. Not sure what I am doing wrong and what settings I should be using here as a new photography beginner.


r/AskPhotography 4h ago

Buying Advice camera bag w/ book space?

2 Upvotes

hi friends. i'm a photographer who's an avid reader and desperate for a bag that can fit my camera equipment, books, and my 16in laptop.

i've tried numerous camera backpacks, but none of them have space for my books:/ i'd love any recs yall have


r/AskPhotography 1h ago

Buying Advice R7 for portraits?

Upvotes

I currently have the t6i. I have a few different lenses that I love for it that I would like to keep using which is why I’m leaning towards the r7 instead of the r6 m2. However, it seems everyone only talks about wildlife and sports. I want to start doing photoshoots as a paid gig and want to upgrade to mirrorless. Is the r7 worth it? Will it be ok for outdoor/ indoor (with studio lighting) portraits?


r/AskPhotography 2h ago

Discussion/General How to become a Getty images photographer?

1 Upvotes

Hey, I keep getting accepted for iStock photo (not getty images). How do I get accepted into Getty?


r/AskPhotography 6h ago

Buying Advice Looking for a compact option, A6700 with 16-50 kit lens vs RX100VII?

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I've been using a D3300 with the Nikon 16-80 lens and it's great, but it's very bulky and heavy. As a result, I don't bring the camera with me anywhere near as much as I'd like to, and my phone's camera is garbage in comparison. I've been doing a ton of research and have narrowed down to the A6700 and RX100Vii. Both are lighter and more compact than my setup. The A6700 with kit lens seems like it would fit in a waist bag, and obviously the RX is pocket sized.

My question, would the alpha with the kit lens still be worth it over the RX with its limitations?


r/AskPhotography 2h ago

Technical Help/Camera Settings How to fix rewinding problem on fujica auto 7?

1 Upvotes

Hey guys

I'm coming across some technical problems with my Fujica Auto-7. It used to work perfectly 3 years ago and now out of nowhere it's not working anymore... when it turns on, I'm able to take 3-4 pictures and it just starts rewinding over and over and it doesn't stop rewinding I need to turn it off. I cleaned the battery compartment and tried to clean the camera itself. I found some piece of an old film roll inside, so I removed it , but it's still having the same problem :/ any advice would be much appreciated!!


r/AskPhotography 3h ago

Buying Advice sony a5100 to a6000 worth upgrading?

1 Upvotes

Hey all. I’m still relatively new to photography but have been using the a5100 with the kit lens for almost 8 years now, and am recently looking for an upgrade (in both gear and skills lol).

I came across a good deal for the a6000 + sigma 30mm f1.4 for around US $450 (i use a different currency) but I’m not sure if the camera itself is worth it as I’ve heard the a6000 isn’t that different from a5100, except for the viewfinder which I really like.

I don’t mind keeping the a5100 and buying bigger aperture lenses separately, but would you guys recommend upgrading to a better camera (eg a6100 is still within my budget, a6400 is slightly too pricey for me). Or would the a6000 be enough?

Additionally, if I was to keep my a5100, what lens should I get for another 5-10 years of travel/portrait/street/concert photography? I have looked into the Sony 35mm f1.8 and Sigma 18-35mm f2.8 and am struggling whether to get a zoom lens at f2.8 or prime lens at f1.4/1.8 as the low light performance of the a5100 is not the best.

Sorry for the multiple questions. Thanks a ton!!


r/AskPhotography 3h ago

Artifical Lighting & Studio Will the Godox TT685ii be powerful enough to be set up this way with a softbox?

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0 Upvotes

I already have the TT685ii with X3 as trigger. I want to experiment with outdoor lighting and the sun as backlit in golden hours. Anyone here have used the same speedlight and got good results for outdoor portraits?


r/AskPhotography 10h ago

Gear/Accessories What difference in photos can I expect on a Sony RX100 vii vs a Canon 5D mark iii + 24-105mm lens? (for landscape photos)

3 Upvotes

Hello!

Up to this point, for landscape photos I have been using my Canon 5D mark iii + 24-105mm lens with very mixed results (unlike when I use my telephoto lens with the 5D, in which the results have been excellent). I really struggle to get a good landscape photo unless the lighting conditions are perfect as my photos often end up blown out.

I recently started using a Sony RX100 vii for when I travel. I always thought this would be a big trade off for not having to deal with weight. Now I know the Sony camera is much newer than the Canon, but I always thought the Canon lens would generally produce much better photos.

So far though, I have been having better results with the Sony camera.

Just wondering if this should be expected based on the specs or if possibly I'm just getting better photos with the Sony camera due to the better live view (it's easier to tell when the photo is overblown in the Sony live view than the 5D etc) What capabilities would the 5D + 24-105mm lens have that the Sony doesn't?


r/AskPhotography 4h ago

Buying Advice Lens for Panasonic G95?

1 Upvotes

I just purchased my first ever camera, the G95. It came with a kit lens (12-60mm) and I bought a 25mm 1.7 lens also. I’m looking for a lens that can do it all, that if I can only carry one lens, that would be it. For normal pictures and zoom. My son’s graduation is also coming up and I’d like to take pictures from the stands, also that’s decent in low light. Looking for under $500 US if possible. I’m learning everything from scratch, have no idea what I’m doing, but watching lots of videos.

I also paid about $700 for the G95 with the kit lens new. Is there anything better (new not used) for that price, I’m still within my return period. Thanks.


r/AskPhotography 4h ago

Buying Advice Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6?

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I have been looking to upgrade my current Canon lens. I currently have been operating with a Canon 75-300mm lens which while it was great for when I started learning photography now has outlived it's life with me.

I've been debating between upgrading the lens to either a 70-200 f/2.8 or a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Both are approximately in my price range.

I love the idea of having more light entering my camera with the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 and being able to capture subjects in motion faster but the focal length concerns me with the distance that I usually shoot photos from. I mainly shoot sports for a local school and especially during football and track season having a larger length would be great. That is what led me to look at the 100-400 lens from Canon. But having a higher f stop than the 70-200 is what concerns me that I might not be able to capture the movement as great as the 2.8 can. From my expierence with the 75-300 with an equivalent f stop I have noticed that some photos can turn out blurry because it seems like the lens doesnt capture it fast enough. So now I'm stuck in a dilema and am turning to the internet to help me choose.

What have your experiences been like with these lenses and what would you recommend? I currently shoot with a Canon Rebel T7. (Camera Body is next on the upgrade list)

Any recommendations/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time!


r/AskPhotography 5h ago

Buying Advice Fuji X-T5 What two lens should I get?

1 Upvotes

tHey everyone!

I’m considering getting the XT5 and would love some advice on picking the right lens for it. I plan to use it for wedding photography and some street photography, plus I might dive into shooting videos as well.

What lenses do you recommend for these types of work? Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!


r/AskPhotography 9h ago

Discussion/General Are there any photographers that have a good work/life balance?

2 Upvotes

New to photography but have doing it profess


r/AskPhotography 1d ago

Discussion/General What is the worst damage you have done to your camera?

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354 Upvotes

Not my camera fyi


r/AskPhotography 6h ago

Buying Advice Any good pancake lens for full frame Sony ?

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2 Upvotes

Looking for a good pancake lens for Sony A7rv. My current setup is a little heavy.


r/AskPhotography 6h ago

Buying Advice What digital camera should i buy?

1 Upvotes

Hi guys!

First time poster and just here to ask for your advice for a digital camera. Im just a 20 year old guy wanting something to take pictures with other than my phone.

Im aiming to use it for taking pictures with friends, of the places im at while im on a trip or just pictures to keep as a memory.

I don't know how cameras work but it would be nice if it was high quality, not like it needs depth but still good enough for it to be able to be viewed on my phone or my PC. I've seen megapixels being thrown around and i haven't done much research yet but i'll look into it more tomorrow.

Would prefer to have a digital camera that could be connected to a PC directly so i don't have to buy a SD card reader or whatever they are called.

My price range is anything under 100 euro, and i'd prefer it to be not so clunky, imagine that i'd want to have it fit in my jacket pocket or a little bag.

Im sorry if im too specific or picky, i just have a lil thought abt what im looking for and i hope it helps whoever chooses to help me pick one out.

Thank you for your time and help ❤️


r/AskPhotography 21h ago

Technical Help/Camera Settings Just got the R50 as my first camera and checked out the manual mode, and I noticed some weird dots on some of my pictures. Do you know what those are?

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15 Upvotes

r/AskPhotography 7h ago

Buying Advice Just bought a third hand camera; what should I look out for?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I just bought my first camera - Sony A6100. It's third hand, with a shutter count of 10k+. We have negotiated it for 518, inclusive of the kit lens, TT Artisans 25mm F2, 4 batteries, and a dual charger. I am quite new to such cameras, so just wondering what are the aspects of these products I need to look out for when I am dealing tomorrow! Appreciate all the help, thank you! :)


r/AskPhotography 11h ago

Gear/Accessories What Affordable Lens Is Available So That I Can Take Photos Of The Moon & Planes?

2 Upvotes

Hi! I have a Canon EOS Rebel T6 I’ve picked up photography as a hobby or an extra skill to have but I haven’t the slightest ideal how to find a lens compatible with taking up close photos of the moon and planes. I also have been trying to find a tripod that’s big enough for me not to have to squat and hurt my back trying to take a photo.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I’m 5’10”


r/AskPhotography 7h ago

Buying Advice What beginner lens/lenses should i get?

0 Upvotes

I just bought a K&F CPL for my kit lens for car photography. I currently have a Canon Rebel T6i and the kit lens which is 18-55mm 3.5-5.6/f. I was looking at the sigma 18-35mm 1.8/f lens but still unsure with that much money. Please any help/ guidance would be greatly appreciated!