This was an idea i've been thinking about for a while, and my good buddy Mark Kumar just did a webinear that touched upon it. If you just want to point and shoot then any camera will do but listed below are things to know if you want to have more control over your pictures, and make them fantastic.
The first thing that I would recommend is getting a good piece of glass. Without a good lens you can not really take great photos. What is a good lens you say, well that's what the pros use. I've used many other name lens but since i use canon, i use the canon L lens. These lens will take a beating and work perfectly with your camera. If you use multiple lens with different makers you might get confused on which way to turn the barrel to zoom in and out, since some manufacturers change the direction. As time goes on you will learn of the aperature and the bokeh that it creates.
The second thing to think about is what are you shooting. This will help you decide the lens, but will also help you pick the camera body. For example the 5dmark2 is a great camera for many things, but it does not burst as fast as other canons due to the fact that it's full frame. If you are doing sports you can get away with a 7d or something a little cheaper then the 5dmark 2. Now if you are doing a lot of low light then the 5d is your buddy.
After you get the camera and lens that you need, practice on your style. What makes your photos different from anyone else. Also be prepared for criticism, then take it to propel you forward. And try to learn from local photographers or clubs in the area. Learn the basics of your camera even if you have to watch youtube. Then goto some workshops and seminears. Most of the reading i have done points to 10,000 hours to get the eye for photography, and it's a grind. Just keep at it.
Once you are great at taking photos, and learned how to work with light, then move on to editing or sub that work out to someone else. Make a portfolio and then start your webpage. This process can take as long or as little as you want. It's not about all the expensive stuff but as Mark says "the self confidence."
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Barn Tour
Sometimes you just grab your camera and take it with you. In June 2011, it was one of those days. There was a barn tour where you would hop barn to barn and learn of history. For me it was more about capturing the day. Of course, I always love to take pictures of animals. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as i do :).
Underwater Cameras
This is a tricky topic to say the least. My first disaster experience was on a trip to hawaii. My only camera
at the time was a compact Olympus Point and Shoot basically. Before that i had the Olympus Ultrazoom and the quality and pictures were excellent so i thought the compact camera would do.
The first day i took a handful of shots, and then I put it in the underwater enclosure. This enclosure was brand new, and i tested it for seal many times before the trip. While underwater the camera took about 3 shots and then the lens retracted. So I tried to use my mother's 35mm film camera, and the pictures turned out less then stellar.
I lost 2 days of shooting while i looked for a replacement camera in Hawaii. That is now Canon became my main camera of choice. What happened is that the gears that extend the lens broke a few teeth, and thus the lens would go right back in.
Now here is it 2012, the present day of fear as my next underwater shoot will be in Australia. Back to the rub of underwater cameras. I've come to the conclusion that i don't want to risk my lens or even my backup camera underwater. I've looked at compact cameras that are waterproof and all the reviews.
In the end i went with the sealife dc1400 with the external flash. I've looked long and hard at the cameras out there. This camera will not do raw like i wish, but this is just to document the trip so i think it will do just fine. It's also rated to 200 ft of water. The canon dc10 was a close 2nd choice, and third was the gopro.
I'll do a follow up review of the camera once i field test it, wish me luck :).
at the time was a compact Olympus Point and Shoot basically. Before that i had the Olympus Ultrazoom and the quality and pictures were excellent so i thought the compact camera would do.
The first day i took a handful of shots, and then I put it in the underwater enclosure. This enclosure was brand new, and i tested it for seal many times before the trip. While underwater the camera took about 3 shots and then the lens retracted. So I tried to use my mother's 35mm film camera, and the pictures turned out less then stellar.
I lost 2 days of shooting while i looked for a replacement camera in Hawaii. That is now Canon became my main camera of choice. What happened is that the gears that extend the lens broke a few teeth, and thus the lens would go right back in.
Now here is it 2012, the present day of fear as my next underwater shoot will be in Australia. Back to the rub of underwater cameras. I've come to the conclusion that i don't want to risk my lens or even my backup camera underwater. I've looked at compact cameras that are waterproof and all the reviews.
In the end i went with the sealife dc1400 with the external flash. I've looked long and hard at the cameras out there. This camera will not do raw like i wish, but this is just to document the trip so i think it will do just fine. It's also rated to 200 ft of water. The canon dc10 was a close 2nd choice, and third was the gopro.
I'll do a follow up review of the camera once i field test it, wish me luck :).
Inspiration
Of the things I always find hard to do is find inspiration in my own works. Every photographer looks back and says i did this wrong, or that wrong. But sometimes those errors make for a great photo.
One of the best things I've done is pick John as my business partner. His artistic eye is among the best, and his creativity i've seen no equal. But overall think the best thing for me about having John as a partner is that he inspires me by showing me the pictures I have taken after he's edited them. When I look at them, the thoughts come to mind...if i didn't know these were my pictures, I would have thought these are top notch. Not to mention that he has great business and people skills.
So if you are going to start a business and have a partner, look for someone that has the skills you are missing so that you both compliment one another.
One of the best things I've done is pick John as my business partner. His artistic eye is among the best, and his creativity i've seen no equal. But overall think the best thing for me about having John as a partner is that he inspires me by showing me the pictures I have taken after he's edited them. When I look at them, the thoughts come to mind...if i didn't know these were my pictures, I would have thought these are top notch. Not to mention that he has great business and people skills.
So if you are going to start a business and have a partner, look for someone that has the skills you are missing so that you both compliment one another.
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