Photo Inspiration
Ever since I started blogging, and more to the point reading other people’s blogs, I have become so much more aware about my severely lacking photography skills. I was never the photographer in the family. When we first started going out Rocky had a (film) SLR and put a lot of effort into taking photos. I so vividly remember our travels around Europe and the States when we would come upon a Kodak moment - a scene worth preserving. I would whip out the trusty point and shoot, take a couple of shots with very little thought for framing or lighting and meanwhile Rocky would still be adjusting the lenses, filters and focus. I learnt very quickly when I was posing for a photo not to smile too early. It took him so long to take the shot, my smile was faded and plastic by the time he was ready.
Since I’ve started blogging however, I’ve wanted to punctuate my posts with photos, to illustrate my point, or just show off the kids. So, I’ve started paying more attention to the photos I have been taking. I’ve even taken a few on a setting other than Auto!! But then I visit some of my favourite blogs and see their Wordless Wednesday posts or their Weekly Winners photos and I think - “I want to take photos like that!” Kate and Tiff’s photos are so lovely and creative. They are a beautiful collection of memories of their kids as they grow up. (And Kate kindly answered my email questions about her camera)
So, this year I’ve set myself a goal to try and take better photos. I’ve been reading about it and trying to get my head around the lingo like apertures, ISO and depth of focus and I’ve been wondering how much I can improve with my point and shoot camera. I wasn’t sure I could justify the cost of a DSLR and I have been able to produce some different effects just by twiddling the dial on the top.
Then, we went home for our holiday and I met my brother’s new camera - The Mother-of-All DSLRs he calls it. He’s a very keen photographer - semi-professional really, since he uses some of his photography in his work. He’s currently off photographing gorillas in Rwanda - I’m really looking forward to seeing those photos!
Anyway, his camera is a Canon EOS 40D with 10MP, huge lenses and all sorts of other stuff I know nothing about and it is beautiful!! I had a little play and fell in love! I wouldn’t normally have expected the “tools of the trade” to make such a difference to the result of the photos; I mean, I know there is a lot of skill and creativity in taking a beautiful photo. But I was surprised at how much better a photo I could take on his camera, still the same old me, doing basically the same old stuff.
Here’s an example from a day we had in King’s Park:
Photo taken by me on my point and shoot:
And one taken by me on my brother’s DSLR:
The second photo is so much crisper and sharper! Obviously I didn’t really frame it properly, but I guess I was just surprised at how much difference the camera alone makes.
So, I am now hatching a plan to get one of my own!! A bit of birthday money and some saving up should get me a decent entry level DSLR. I don’t need, nor do I want to spend the money on, anything more than the “basic” model. I’m sure there’ll be lenses and other accessories down the track, but for now, I’m going to go for the beginner kit. I’m not expecting it to turn me into Annie Liebovitz overnight, but at least I’ll be able to get a bit more control and hopefully learn how to improve my photos. I’m pretty excited at the thought of learning a new skill.
We’re planning on making the most of our proximity to the States for this purchase since they cost about half what they do at home. Funds permitting there’s quite a few things we’d like to get in the States while we can (like a new computer) - so a trip North of the border is definitely in the medium-term plans.
Here’s some more photos taken by my brother while we were back home
Do any of you have DSLRs? Do you have any recommendations on what to buy, what accessories you need? And please, share your photography tips with me - all help gratefully accepted!!
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They are beautiful pics!!
Have no clue what a DSLR is let alone if I have one! lol
Bettina’s last blog post..Phone Etiquette?
I love my DSLR ! Well, technically it’s my husband’s, but I use it more
Mine is a Pentax istD - you can also review cameras on flickr ( click on Explore/Camera Finder ) and view photos taken by a particualr model etc, even email a user to see if they like the camera etc - it’s great research !!
Personally, after a bad experience with a P&S buy recently, I would be hard pressed to select any camera that wasn’t a CANON or a PENTAX though.
DSLR’s rule !
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oh don’t drool over my photos… I am not a very good photographer and I struggle to remember how to use my camera on anything other than auto!
My top tip is the usual - when you are photographing people GET CLOSE!
Go for as much gentle natural lighting as you can… harsh sun in the face isn’t good just like all flash isn’t good.
Take LOTS of photos. The photos I put on my blog are usually the one good shot of the 100 or more that took at the time! That is the joy of digital!
Lots of things can be corrected, fixed or enhanced with photoshop or some other photo editing software…. all of my photos on my blog are cropped and enhanced in some way in photoshop - they are all way to crap straight out of the camera! LOL
But the best tip of all is just enjoy it… play, take lots of photos, try new styles, new angles, new subjects…. just have fun! and oooooooh a new camera on the horizon now that is fun!
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Thanks for the tips. I am probably leaning towards a Canon because I’ve only heard good reviews - and maybe I’ll be able to borrow lenses from my brother!!
Great tip about exploring in Flickr, h&b. I’ll have to check it out.
I love the close up photos too, Kate, specially of kids. One of things I like about the DSLRs is that you can take lots of photos much more quickly. The shutter lag time on the P & S drives me crazy - I always seem to be just missing the “perfect shot” because it’s still thinking about it! I’m sure I’ll have to take heaps to get one good one too. I really need to learn how to do more on photoshop too. My brother was saying if you shoot the images as RAW you can do lots more correction than jpeg, so I’ll have to investigate that too…
BTW, Bettina DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex - which is a digital camera that has all the manual settings, lens you can change etc - the “traditional” looking black ones you have probably seen.
Gorgeous photos!
I have a Canon 300 but I’m getting a 40D (d for drool) for my birthday.
I’d go a canon above everything else.
My tips?
Get a long lens. They are great for taking photos of children. You don’t need to get too close so they don’t feel the camera on them and feel the need to pose.There is just something about the natural that gets me everytime. Also late afternoon is the best time to take photos from a light perspective. Either that or on cloudy days.
My last tip is take lots of photos and then edit out the not so perfect ones! The beauty of the DSLR. Practice makes perfect.
Thanks for thinking my photos nice. It is one of my loves.
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I Would love love love a DSLR!!! I have a digital P & S Olympus camera and I do love it, but I would die for a better camera! It is on my wishlist….but I don`t think it will happen until we get back to Japan! I simply can`t afford it now!
I love taking photos and I use a DLSR at work for taking photos of kids….I just use the same lense all the time though because am always on the run but almost all of the photos turn out nice enough!!! The one at work is a Nikon, which is quite popular here in Japan but I am not sure about overseas….Since going digital in 2003 ( I was a little late!) I have always used Olympus while Shun usually has a canon…or a pentax! I like the nikon use at work and would most likely go for that or a canon if I was going for a DSLR!
My advice, go to the shop and actually try them, you will soon know what feels better, and more comfortable in your hands!
How exciting! I am so jealous! I love taking photos and wish I could do a better job at it!
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Those are great tips, Tiff. I love the natural shots too - usually Guerita in particular is so aware of the photo that she poses and smiles, which gives me some nice photos, but candid ones would be nice as well. I’ll have to look into zoom lenses.
Lulu - Good advice. I am thinking of getting one on Amazon because the deals are so good, but I should go into a store and pick them up and try them out first. Are electronics really cheap in Japan? I guess you can get just about every electronic option there is in Tokyo.
All the photos are beautiful. Your daughters are gorgeous.
I want a new camera too - like you a basic entry level DSLR - I am putting an order in for either Christmas or my birthday (well birthday is first ) .
Tiff has also inspired me to take heaps of photos and be a better photographer - her photos are awesome and her home has hundreds of photos displayed. So when you move back - choose a house with lots of wall space !
My Little Drummer boys
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Thanks for the before/after type shots. It has made me feel better about my photos. Like yourself, when I see the photos taken by Kate, Trish and Tiff I think they look so amazing. I don’t have a DSLR, but I think I need to add one to my wish list. Look forward to seeing more beautiful photos on your blog!
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Canon is a great choice. I’m not sure of the exact model but the one I’m getting soon (birthday gift!!) had a very fab technical review in FNAC ’s yearly camera catalog. They analyze cameras down to the T in their labs and the Nikon got some very bad ratings which surprised me. My brother also shoots Canon and he advised me on my Canon P&S which I love so I think I’m sold on the mark.
I’m not at home right now or I’d tell you the model I chose!
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