3D models from photos? Like Underhill says...calm down!!!
You have 2 big tasks - learning DB and learning modelling, the latter is gonna slow you down in a big way.
Fantastic 3D models are no good to you unless you have a purpose for them. I would suggest you get to know DB using primitive shapes, or possibly pre-built models - there's a handful from the tutorials for you to use.
Once you're in need of models to take your application to the next level (that is, you've got an idea, mapped it out, and done the guts of the programming using placeholders for the real models), you've still got a long way to go.
I would recommend the "Proof of Concept" approach. That is, prove your idea is worth doing, and do it using prebuilt models.
I don't want to put you off, DB is fantastic, and seeing your own models come to life is even better. But you've a long way to go. There are thousands of free models to use on the net, at places such as 3dcafe.com.
As far as making models from photos is concerned, consider this...Games programming hangs on rendering speed (in most cases). A 3D rendering app will take minutes to render one frame, you're gong to want to render real-time at least 25 frames a second - 1500 frames a minute! Models need to have a low poly count and texture resolution needs to conform to the specifications of the 3D card (they need to be able to be cached to the card's memory). I think you need to set your sites a little lower.
Like I say, this may be a reality check, but don't let it put you off. Have a look at some of the screen shots in the forum, people are doing some awesome stuff (check out the circus and the galleon shots!)
Good Luck!!
Thanks in advance.
All the Best,
StevieVee
