Learning to See: A Photographer’s Guide from Zero to Your First Paid Gigs

LEARNING TO SEE 
I’ve loved photography since I was a young girl and I always wanted to be able to take beautiful pictures (especially of people).When my son was a baby,I bought my first DSLR camera and started taking pictures of him. That was back in the mid-seventies. I found my new camera to be a mystery and struggled to get good shots unless it was set on auto. I looked at a few books, but honestly, the camera was too complicated for me to figure out on my own. I signed up to take a camera course and it helped some, but I still could not get the results I wanted in manual mode. 
Fast forward a lifetime. I got better as time went by. I have some decent shots of my kids growing up and some great vacation pictures, but I have far more bad ones. Cameras became digital so it was a lot easier to practice and my grandchildren have been the best subjects of my efforts. But then, I stumbled on this guy named David Molnar. He did a free webinar on photography and had a site you could join to take courses to learn to use your camera. I joined it and have learned so much. I have loved this camera journey so much. It has helped me to master my camera so much better and to grow in confidence as a photographer. The enthusiasts I’ve met through the community have been such a blessing. I’ve spent hours admiring fellow students‘ work and learning from the experts.
When David announced he had written a book I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I was so happy to get to read it early and in my opinion- he has written a masterpiece! He has blended his fun, loving personality with personal testimony and professional technique in such a unique way. I found the book hard to put down. It not only inspired me to keep working on my skill, but it also gave me tools to do just that. 
In this book David shares his personal journey as a photographer and the struggles he had to go through to achieve the goal of “professional.” He tells about how his original life plans got tragically altered and how his faith in the Lord Jesus helped guide him into a plan to follow his passion. 
David wasn’t satisfied to just become one of the best and keep the knowledge to himself. He experienced how difficult it can be to learn to use a camera and then turn that knowledge into income. So, he wrote a book to share that knowledge with others. In this book, David skillfully gives technical lessons on how to use the settings on your camera. He simplifies the jargon with easy to use (and remember) illustrations and examples. The book is full of instructions on composition, landscape photography, posing and putting your subjects at ease, and helpful advice on starting a business.
This book is a great starting place for a new camera owner or a great guide to someone that wants to advance their skills or go into business. And it is a fun read to top it off! The layout is user friendly, and the photographs are beautiful. This book is also available in audio format, with David reading his own work. His personality comes through beautifully as he reads. It is well done. This book would be a gift to anyone that owns a camera (even the one on a cell phone). I truly recommend LEARNING TO SEE anyone that takes pictures!

For years, I’ve listened to David Molnar’s classes on learning how to capture portraits and landscapes and how to edit photos. I was curious how a photographer would pour his natural gifting into words.

I so enjoyed this book! Molnar begins by sharing about how because of an auto accident, he lost a college scholarship . . . and his opportunity to attend college. But, what he has become through photography has fulfilled dreams he didn’t know he had in those early days of learning the craft.

Molnar shares both his journey to becoming a renowned photographer and practical tips and skills for people who want to up their photography game. He also shares how to begin a photography business, for those who want to do this.

Written with nods to God, Molnar shares his mistakes as well. No one is perfect, especially in the beginning. I grinned as I read some of the things he did, but his stories also encouraged me in the areas where I’m pursuing my dreams. The practical explanations he gives are helpful, even for inexperienced photographers like me.

This isn’t just a how-to book, but it’s a book that shares heart. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to hear how someone who’s “made it big” in the photography world, how he did it, and who also want to learn how to up their photography chops.

I truly enjoyed and learned from this book!

Hi,

I really like your book, it flows from one subject to the other discussing the 5 steps to see better pics! Your book gave me the exact information I needed to know. It’s been a while and I needed a review on camera settings for more professional photography at various types of photos, times of the day, light, editing, storage and how to make it easier for clients to choose their prints and get their photos printed or placed in an album after the shoot or event. I was happy to see your business suggestions as many people often ignore this when many people want to know you are an established business. The tips you use to greet clients, gift them, compliment them etc are all useful in getting to know people. It’s a people business yes! and you need to be able to communicate well!

I enjoyed the Tips on controlling a blurred background or getting a crisp background. Shooting in slot of light or shooting when it’s darker. Correcting photos in editing. Sharing the photos of the camera settings for shutter speed and discussing aperture, was half the battle to getting great manual photos as they are responsible each for 50% of the work. Working together 100% better pics!
Thank you. I will continue to come back for more tips. I couldn’t wait so I bought the digital book which I often do In any case. We live in a coastal area and coastal beach weddings are super popular. I like lifestyle photos too!

We see weddings at the beach all the time. However, my love for photography isn’t just people but the landscape and beauty of which God surrounded us.

Janie Powers

If you are new to photography this book is for you. As a pro I was familiar with the process. The big p!us for me was the helpful tips to portfolio building and business tips.

I purchased this book to support my photography mentor, David Molnar, and thought it might contain things I've already learned while participating in The Photo Mentorship (TPM), but ALAS! This book contains so much more!

What an interesting, heartwarming and humorous personal story. It is well-written, a pleasure to read, and contains insights from a pro photographer who has "been there." The book contains practical, useful advice, photography tips & tricks, and of course, the simple to learn, practical training. It is not another technical, textbook-like read that I've tried to muddle through before.

David's photography training is laid out in a way that is easy AND enjoyable to read (can't say that enough!) for anyone who wants to learn more about photography, your camera, and helpful info if you want to go pro.

It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a pro, you will learn a lot and genuinely enjoy this book.

Easy read and loaded with lots of great tips and tricks that you probably won't find in other books.

Well thought out, engagingly written guide to better photography. Auxillary an materials enhance the experience.

This book will be a huge help in me getting into learning photography

This is my ultimate go to book to help me take better photos and also to create awesome edits. This book has taught me to look at taking photos in a new light. I understand how to work my camera better and have turned it from auto mode to manual mode. I never thought I could take better pictures. Now, I have taken them the book walks you thru the edit process and wow the pics are even better. This book is with me every time I use my camera it is my number 1 reference manual. Thanks David for explaining how to take pictures in plain English and sharing your “secrets” with all of us.