Wow, You must have a really good camera!!!

One of the first things people say when they see my photos is "Wow, you must have a really good camera" and they then ask for me to teach them how to use their DSLR camera. It seems to be one of the common threads among people these days. Everyone thinks it is the camera that creates the photo - which is true to an extent, but there is so much more to a good photograph than the camera you use. Perhaps because of this opinion and the relatively inexpensive nature of entry level DSLR cameras more and more people are exploring this option when buying a new camera, and yet very few understand how to use them to their full potential.

There are so many tutorials, videos, articles and online courses available these days at the click of a button. We truly are living in the information age and google is your friend. And I wondered whether I really needed to add to everything that is already available... Then decided that if my mission is to make beautiful photographs available to EVERYONE, then a huge part of that process is to educate people on how to take beautiful photographs. After all, why have a camera - any camera - if you don't know how to get the best out of it?

And so, I have created a series of blog posts about just that - Using your camera to it's full potential, regardless of what type of camera you own. It is a series for beginner photographers. Ordinary people who want to be better at taking extraordinary photographs so they can document the life of their families.

The series will explore: 

- The different types of cameras that you might choose.

- What I have learned about what turns a 'good' photo into a 'great' photo. 

- How to compose a photo - and what does composition mean. 

- How light makes all the difference  

- Ways you can use post production and editing to enhance images.

Today we will start with cameras... What kind of camera do you need to take a great photo?

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There are two quotes I love that sum up the type of camera you need to take an amazing photograph...

"Photography is no more about equipment than writing is about word processors" ~ Unknown

and

"The best camera is the one that's with you" ~ Chase Jarvis

A common misconception among digital camera owners is that a cameras megapixel rating is the main thing to consider when determining a camera’s quality, however, megapixels are NOT everything. A point and shoot cameras with more megapixels than a DSLR does not mean their quality level is necessarily as good as the DSLR.

The main reason for this (and there are many others) is that the image sensor used in point and shoot digital cameras is generally much smaller than the image sensor used in a DSLR. This means that the pixels on a point and shoot camera have to be much smaller. It is a complex subject, but basically means that smaller sensors significantly reduce the quality of an image. Whether this is of concern to you really depends on what you plan to use your images for. Posting them online and sharing through social media means you are not needing large digital files and therefore the quality of the image is not so important. However if you wanted to enlarge your image to hang in your home then a camera with lower megapixels and a larger sensor will be much more useful for you than any camera with a smaller sensor regardless of the number of megapixels.

The main questions to ask yourself when choosing a camera is 'How do I intend to use the camera?' and 'What do I want to do with my photos?' - When you know your purpose it makes the choice so much easier. Someone who wants to snap images of their children and share them online will choose an entirely different camera to the person who wants to create large fine-art prints to display in a gallery.

So, with your purpose in mind, let's explore the different options for camera choice...

Smartphone Cameras 

Smartphone cameras are the most used camera in the world. Most of us carry one of these cameras with us on a daily basis and with the technology available in these cameras the images can be amazing. With the right light, the right framing and the right focus, you may not be able to tell whether a photo was shot on a phone camera or a dslr. With red-eye reduction, auto-focus, zoom and many other features, the smartphones have rendered point-and-shoot cameras almost obsolete.

Some people in the photography industry look down on mobile photography but I personally believe that camera phones encourage us to take more photographs, and I think the more we take photographs, the better photographers we'll be. The advantage of being able to share our photographs with the world via Instagram and social media, email and text message means we are sharing our lives, our joys, our passions and our memories.... which to me, is the whole purpose of photographs in the first place!

There are some disadvantages to phone cameras of course such as when your camera is damaged, like the lens cracking after being dropped. Regrettably there’s not a way of rebuilding just the lens from the mobile camera phone. It requires a whole new phone.

Smartphone camera's usually also have a video camera option, another reason why they’re popular and practical as a day to day camera. Having the opportunity to create short videos means most of us are able to capture and share funny or moving moments that otherwise could have been lost.

Point and Shoot Digital Cameras

These cameras are great for those who perhaps don't have access to a smartphone or who choose to keep their photographs separate from their phone. Point and Shoot cameras are often slim and light which makes them ideal for putting in your pocket and carrying around. They are great for travelling, parties or night/days out when you don't want to carry much with you. The quality of images produced in point and shoots varies greatly, but in general they shoot well in auto mode, which tends to be the mode they are most commonly used in. 

Point and Shoot cameras are generally cheaper than a DSLR camera or a smartphone, but as with any product you can go to the top of the range and spend as much as you would on a cheaper DSLR.

Many digital camera users prefer to frame their shots using the LCD monitors on the back of the camera. Point and Shoots always come with this ability and some even come with ‘flip out’ screens that enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting. This does mean however that most point and shoot cameras rely almost completely upon their LCD for framing. Most point and shoot cameras have view finders but they are generally small which renders them almost useless. Some models don’t have viewfinders at all.

Point and Shoot cameras do often have a smaller sensor (as I mentioned above when I talked about megapixels) which means the image quality is not as good as a DSLR, however if you’re not planning on using your images for major enlargements or in professional applications the quality of point and shoot cameras can be more than enough for the average user. ISO ranges are also more limited in point and shoot cameras making them less useful in low light situations which leads to a reliance on the use of flash (which we will discuss later in the post about lighting). Point and Shoot digital cameras have always been notorious for their slowness, particularly their ‘shutter lag’ (the time between pressing the shutter and when the image is taken). This is constantly being improved but the instantaneous feel of many DSLRs is still not there with point and shoots when it comes to shutter lag, start up and even focusing time. Again, if you are not trying to capture moving objects and only want to take snapshots this may not bother you. 

DSLR CAMERAS 

Digital, Single, Lens, Reflex Cameras (DSLR) are bigger than the average compact system (point and shoot) camera because they have a mirror that reflects light into the optical viewfinder.

These cameras accept interchangeable lenses making them much more versatile than other cameras.

The DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. They can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending on your photography needs and budget. There is also an extensive range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) which allow a DSLR to be adapted to many different situations, from cramped interiors to landscapes, distant details, portraits or very close macro subjects.

The larger size of the image sensor in a DSLR means they are generally able to be used at a lower ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain. This means the DSLR camera is much better suited to low light situations and capturing fast moving objects. DSLR cameras are actually much faster pieces of equipment in their start up, focussing and shutter lag than point and shoot cameras.

Many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in some form of manual mode and there are camera apps available for smartphones that allow manual control, but a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers finger tips as they are shooting. If you choose to purchase and use a DSLR camera then you really need to educate yourself on it's functions and settings in order to use it to it's full potential.

There are obviously reasons why choosing a DSLR camera may not be for you. The main one being price. While they are coming down in price (especially at the lower end) DSLR’s are generally more expensive than point and shoot digital cameras. Also consider that you might want to upgrade your lens (as kit lenses are generally not of a super high quality) or you may wish to add more lenses later and that this adds to the cost. DSLRs are also heavy and bulky and when you add a lens or two to your camera bag you can end up with a fairly heavy load to carry.

Another factor well worth considering if you’re going to use a DSLR with more than one lens is that every time you change lenses you run the risk of letting dust into your camera. Dust on an image sensor can leave imperfections on your images. Cleaning your image sensor can be quite a process and most recommend that you get it done professionally. There are DSLRs now available with self cleaning sensors to assist with this situation.

At the end of the day, your choice of camera is unique to you and your needs. Ask yourself what you are wanting to do with your images and what you will use your camera for and then make a decision based on what works best for YOU.

After all, it doesn't matter what camera you use - what really matters is learning how to see what's in front of you, noticing the moments and situations that make a great photo, and then capturing it with whatever you have available with you at the time! Document the ordinary moments however you can, because ORDINARY MOMENTS ARE EXTRAORDINARY!!!