Hey Everyone,
So the holiday's are upon us. There are several things that are going to happen to you this year. The first is you are going to spend to much money on other people, get some crappy presents from people who think they are doing you a favor and hopefully you can wiggle enough money out of the deal to buy yourself something nice for the holidays that you will use and actually like.
For me this year I bought a DSLR Camera. You know the high end Digital Camera's that have all the lens you can take off and on with different zooms. Now for those of you out there I want to make clear, I have been and continue to be a photo taker. Back in the day I even used a Dark Lab to develop my own pictures from that stuff they use to make called film. I used a Cannon AE-1, one of the best camera's ever made in my opinion. I still have it tucked in the closet and wish they made film so I could develop in a dark room most days. But time, energy and space are not the hallmark of being a parent. So Digital it is. I have for the last few years been watching the market and what is out their. These two things have lead to this purchase. Now most of the SLR camera's (once you reach a certain point) become a matter of criteria of wants then necessity. The camera on your phone is just as good for everyday use that having a DSLR Camera. If you only want it as a status symbol rather then something you would actually use, spend the money on something else. If you actually want to get into photography it isn't for you start with something cheap and learn about ISO's and apertures along with the different techniques of photography using a Cannon Power Shot or something similar. Personally I would go with the Olympus Touch as they are great for the beach, pool and everywhere else you want to go. If you have and want to continue being a photographer then a DSLR is for you.
I say this with the express knowledge that a good DSLR Camera is expensive. There is no need to purchase one if you won't use it. Now back to the matter at hand. Like most Photographer's of the prehistoric age of film we understand ISO, aperture and the overall mechanics of a camera. Can't tell you how many times I have repaired and cleaned that old cannon. The general principle of the DSLR is still the same. The difference is that rather than burning the image using light onto film, it digitizes the image. This is neat as with the current technology rather then having to replace the film you can do this with a memory card in under 30 seconds. Which are reusable, never deteriorate and won't get ruin despite getting wet, stepped on and/or most other things. Plus you can cram them into your pocket and it won't feel funny.
The other side to owning his type of camera is the use of photo software and what your computer is able to use. I'm geeky and have plenty of access and knowledge to become efficient in most software that is out there, the other side is cost. Real high end software can run you several hundred dollars if you are serious about using it. Plus with the market there is always a newer and better thing to come out. Finding something in between can help you come out of the dark room and into the digital age. I personally like the ability to turn color into black and white (personal preference to develop pictures in) without having to use different negatives and solutions, the down side is you loose the actual art form of photography. Digital gives everyone the chance to think they are the next new thing. Who knows you might be.
Now you own the Camera and want to use it. These new models can do about anything up to and including shooting HD film. This is cool but sucks a butt load of memory at once. There are several things you have to learn and set the preferences for what you want the camera to do. My personal choices are to not review every picture I take. I rather shoot as much as I can and pick from the pile later, with a large memory card and multiple cards with these cameras you are more than able to find a rose in a pile of shit. The second is how in depth you want to get into "change the features". Remember you can always reset them. My suggestion is you to go one step at a time in altering the setting with a notation to yourself in what you did. This way if you screw something up you can still make the changes you liked and miss the one you didn't. Once your set up and ready to shoot go out and shoot. Spend a day or a week shooting everything you can to get over the awkward feeling of having a large phallic device in your hand all the time. The best thing you can do with this is to shoot and play with the software. Don't be afraid to mess up. There is always a reset switch. If you write down your steps as you go you won't get but so lost.
There is a wealth of information on what you need and can buy. If you are like me and have to buy these in sections this is the order you should take once you are taking pictures:
1. Lens UV Filter (Need to buy this, prevents a lot of dust problems and issues with your pictures)
2. LCD screen protector
3. Good Bag to Hold your Camera, lenses, accessories, cords and all the other things you want.
4. Extra Battery(s)
5. Tripod/mono pod (depends on how mobile you are)
6. upgrade camera strap
7. External Hard Drive (14 megabits a picture add up after a while. No need to clog your computer memory)
8. Lenses (most expensive add-ons)
Remember the key to photography is learning the different ways you take a picture of the same thing. Most of it comes through experience and the deep desire to capture the world in a way you see it or develop a new perspective. This only comes through taking millions of pictures. With a DSLR you are more then capable of taking millions of pictures without having to keep them all (unless you want to). A DSLR is for someone who has a good understanding of photography and wants to take an active hobby development of this. If this doesn't apply use the camera on your phone or get a Pocket Camera, you will save yourself a butt load of money.
-RudestDad
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