This is a building block from our How To Number 1 - Getting Comfortable With Your Camera.  This is further encouragement to get out there with your camera.  Fill up your memory card over and over.

We'll focus on the specifics of what kind of files to use (jpeg vs. raw) and also how to manage them on a computer and external hard drive system.  But first - photograph!

I don't want you to waste any time preparing to learn. You can learn your camera and the photographing process at the same time, making adjustments all the way.  You'll never be "set up" and ready to start.  Start now, set up along the way! I wasted much time getting my ducks in a row on the backend (computer system and harddrives and general backup organization).  I also wasted much time testing out photograph management software instead of photographing. 



I'm writing these blog posts to prevent myself from wasting more time focusing on things that are unrelated to actually photographing (repeating myself unnecessarily when helping other photographers is a great time waster, I hope to consolidate ideas here, where they're useful).  The "How To" series is really encouraging me to solidify the system I have in place for my photographs, and is highlighting how important it is to put the camera in my hand and photograph with it.

Hopefully, in reading and participating in these posts, you'll not only enhance your photographing skills, but comfortably manage your digital files.  I'm here to help you think through the digital photographing process.  I'm also here to remind you to photograph.

So, repeat photo scenerios.  Photograph at different times of day in different light conditions.  Play with flash and other light sources.

Fall in love with pushing that shutter button!