It is the Photographer! Telling a photographer that their camera takes good pictures is like telling a chef their pots cook good food! (Yes, I have been told my camera takes 'good pictures!' Like I had nothing to do with it. LOL!)
There are 2 photos below. Taken several years apart.
This photo was taken with an older point and shoot camera that is several years old. It cost $150.00.
This photo was taken with a DSLR system that cost me $2500 (body and lens) new. I shot the photo raw, processed it, converted it to jpeg and shrunk it down to a lowres jpeg so that it would load faster.
I think both photos were taken somewhere between 12-2pm.
I get many emails from people asking me what type camera to buy, etc. I have seen people spend $3000 bucks on a dslr camera and not even realize that the lens is interchangeable. I would say that they over bought for their needs.
Both of the above photos were taken in the same spot, well, I was a little closer in the 2nd photo. Very very crowded day WDW Epcot. People tend to walk in front of you when you take photos...
Before purchasing a camera, ask yourself these questions:
- What will you be using the camera for?
- How much time are you willing to spend learning how to use your camera?
- How much time are you willing to spend researching the camera(s) before you purchase
- How much time are you willing to spend post processing and spend on post processing software? (I have major bucks invested in several Photoshop programs and addons. ) The more expensive and pro the camera, more time needed to post process in the computer.
DH and I often recommend a 'bridging' camera that zooms. It does not have an interchangeable lens, but for most people, this is all they need. Most no longer have a shutter lag (do your research, older digital cameras all have shutter lag. My old point and shoot has horrible shutter lag).
I am not a camera techno geek. (The equipment I own is all the digital equipment I know about.) I like having several just alike or of a 2-3 generation span that work very much alike. And a bag full of lenses that fit them all. But I shoot for a living. Unless you have money to burn or are a very serious amateur, that is not necessary for the average person.
Think you have to have an expensive DSLR for a good photograph?
Think again!!! This was taken with my $150 Point and Shoot that I keep in my purse. I would not enter it in a completion. But I would hang it on a wall.
And this was taken with the same camera. Good for a wall, scrapbook, etc.
It is not about having a fancy camera, it is how you use that camera. Do you know how to make it focus? Do you know how to compose? Do you have an artistic eye? Do you know a photograph when you see it? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THE CAMERA YOU HAVE? It matters not what you spend on a camera if you do not know how to use it or the general basics of photography.
The next thing I am going to tell you to do is READ YOUR Manual! Most even give you photo tips. But always read your manual.
Check with a local Community Collage, University, City Rec Center, etc about signing up for a photography course. Almost all will have a Basic Composition and Lighting Course. And Please, READ YOUR Manual before you go. Take a few photos, get familiar with your camera. Everyone in there is there to learn basic composition and lighting, not sit there and wait for the instructor to try to show/teach
you how to use your camera.
When you get into DSLR's you also need photo editing software. The first photo above was not edited. The 2nd photo was edited in Lightroom II. It is an Adobe Photoshop program that I like.
Before buying a new camera, 1st determine what you need.
After making your purchase,
read the manual. Go outside and practice with your camera. Then sign up for a basic photo class. You will not regret it.
Let me know if you find this post helpful.
When was the last time you had a portrait taken of just the two of you?
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