Want to start photographing-newbie needing help

Hello to all the experts in the field,
My name is Zadist Diavolo and I am a regular DJ in SL. I ant to broaden my horizons and thought photography would be a great place to do this. I am pretty good wiht Photoshop but really bad at knowing how to start in SL. For example, there are a million different studios to purchase and the snapshot camera in SL is poor ( at least the way i'm using it). Can anyone shed some light on good equipment purchases to take solo, couple and group photos. Hers are some of my questions:

Do I use a camera hud or the sl camera to take photos?

When I try to take photos using the snapshot there is a ton of cropping I have to do? Is there something i am missing in the camera dept?


Just which are the better poses to purchase, more bang for your buck?

The big question, which studio is best and again bang for the buck?



Thanks so much for your help I kow the experts are the ones you need to got o for these questions. Salepeople, tell me their product is the best.

~Z~

hi Zadist
You don't need to buy a camera in SL to take photos, it works off your snapshot facility. cameras are there as props and to help you focus on the picture you want.

To get a good image you often have to get close, I tend to use Mouselook. Close your chat, then type , or scroll your mousewheel forward quickly. Try Mouselook for now, it's a bit odd unti lyou get sued to it but it has plenty of uses.

Then join an SL photography group, they'll help you.

This is the best you can read!
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/User:Torley_Linden/Snapshot_tips

I agree, the SL cameras is just props. A photostudio can be handy... but I can't help you with that, since I'm a sucker for photographing "on the spot". That's what really makes a SL picture in my opinion. Most places don't allow to rez poseballs. That's a shame. What you need then is a model who can play poses and move around, not just click on a poseball and let it do all the work.

I assume from your question that you will be a fashion model photographer. A very good blog recommend this: VR Posestand Professional/VR Posestand HUD/Library
You can read the credentials yourself on the end of each post: http://scarboroughflairbysasyscarborough.wordpress.com/22nd-feb-2009-elixir/

Look for me in world... would love to point you in some directions. I claim no expertise, but have very good success with SL photography. I hope to hear from you. No equipment needed, just SL and heart.

Here is some of my work

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasononovi/