How to edit, mix, shoot video, take pictures and alter them like a professional?

[Trey]

Hello! I'm a senior in high school and have this daunting challenge of finding something I truly am passionate about and want to do for a living. I have just started taking interest in pictures especially on instagram and tumblr, I'm new to both also. I have no idea how people take some of those pictures, I know creativity comes in hand and being exceptional and a connoisseur at their art style is a necessity but what software or application skills do I need to acquire to put something I ponder or conjure up spontaneously up in my head to film or a print? Any particular degrees or programs. Much appreciated if any advice that entails specifically what I'm looking for.
And any professionals in this field, what are good brands to purchase; cameras, video recorders, filters, editing programs and schools to attend. I want to have my life centered around this and fully immersed if this is the route I plan to venture. I know it will be a wild escapade but I willing to challenge myself and strive for excellence and to stay optimistic and ambitious. I will not be easily discouraged. I do not wish to partake on this for instagram fame or tumblr likes, I just am fascinated and inspired by these pictures that showcase the amazing world that I want to travel and see and I would love to travel and have everyday be an adventure!

[itsadogslife]

To answer all these questions, consider taking a digital media production class. If your high school doesn't offer this, try your local community college.

Regarding equipment for photography, iPhone cameras have surpassed many expensive digital SLRs. Experimentation is the key to learning, so just play around.

[fergiesfabfotos]

You can't expect to pick up a guitar and be a professional muso overnight.
With photography it's one day at a time and it may take a few years before you become adept enough to get to pro standard. Unfortunately, many fall by the wayside in the process.

[Secret Kat Power]

You can't just decide in advance that your going to be good at photography or filming because you like some images you've seen online! Photography/filming is an art form that requires creativity, time and effort to develop skills which can only be attained through experience; although passion is very important and its nice that you really want to try and get into this area - good for you!

However start at the beginning, get yourself a camera (depends on your budget - compact, DSLR etc) and start experimenting, trying different things, being critical of the results, and seeking outside opinion with regard to critique in order to develop some skills and experience and develop a portfolio.

There's lots of good courses around but they usually expect you to illustrate your interest in the area via interview/portfolio discussion (at least they do in the UK anyway)! There is lots of excellent literature you can purchase to help you to analyse your own work and others, as well as brilliant websites full of tutorials such as 'digitalcameraworld' etc. As such do some research online, find out more about it.

A book I heartily recommend is 'Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera' by Bryan Peterson as its really accessible, inspiring and inexpensive - good luck and hope this helps!