Where to find a foundation

[devin_kkenny]

besides just getting out there and doing it 🙄 . Hi, I'm a relatively-new photographer and deal primarily with medium range digital (3.1 mp) and very bare bones 35mm SLR (Pentax k1000 50mm with no flash or haze filter). I'm really interested in doing work on the streets, usually urban decay stuff and just eccentric 'painterly' scenes made accidentally by the elements and human traffic. I'm interested in doing street fashion photography though (with people! 😀 ), any advice on free resources I could check out to learn basics or any inexpensive equipment I should get (new college student so...funds are limited). Hopefully, this hasn't been too confusing or long-winded.
Thank you all.

 

[Doug]

Hi devin_kkenny (what should we call you?), welcome to RFF! You can download a basic text on photography (such as could be used in a college photo course) in the form of .pdf files from: http://www.bw-photography.net/

You already may have sufficient gear to get started well. The K1000 has been a favorite for such college courses! I have a similar model too.

Keeping budget in mind, and if you want to test the "RF experience" you can get your feet wet with a fixed-lens leaf-shutter RF of the 60's/70's/80's like an Olympus 35RC or Canonet, Yashica GS, etc. that sell for less than $100. These can produce excellent results, too! I have a 35RC that I bought used in 1972... good little rig.

You'll want to do some research among past threads right here in RFF, as there's a wealth of information and opinion to digest.

 

[DougK]

I agree, you've already got a fine camera to start out with, can't go wrong with a K1000 (I have two of them myself). If budget is a major concern, I'd spend the money I could on film and developing rather than more gadgets and read everything available at the library about photography.

 

[dmr]

and very bare bones 35mm SLR (Pentax k1000 50mm with no flash or haze filter).

That's really a great camera, probably my favorite of all time. I use it for most semi-serious work. I did get a 28-135 zoom and I'm spoiled with it. 🙂

I'm really interested in doing work on the streets, usually urban decay stuff and just eccentric 'painterly' scenes made accidentally by the elements and human traffic.

I enjoy doing urban scenes, have for a long time.

I'm interested in doing street fashion photography though (with people! 😀 ),

I sometimes think I would like to do this type of photography too. I'm an avid people-watcher. 🙂 Although I've never been called shy, I'm a bit uneasy intruding on others space, if you know what I mean.

any advice on free resources I could check out to learn basics or any inexpensive equipment I should get (new college student so...funds are limited).

As for equipment, you already have yourself and a good camera. My suggestion is to not get so hung-up on equipment and focus more on doing what you can with what you have. 🙂

I would suggest you just look at the works of others to get some ideas. The gallery here is actually a good place to start, and be sure to post some of your own work as well. 🙂

ObRangefinder: A rangefinder is a good camera for street shooting. 🙂