Here is how I transitioned from a small digital camera to a digital SLR and some perspectives on what equipment might be right for you:
I don't remember seeing many photos of me and my family when I was a child. I started taking photos a few years ago - driven by the urge to capture my life. I started with an inexpensive, traditional film-based camera but very quickly became intrigued by the promise of the digital medium.
My first digital camera was the Sony DSC-P92. This camera offered limited settings and I tried to get extra mileage by exploring endless combinations of these. The best thing about starting out with this camera was that it forced me to focus on the creative side of things as there were only a limited number of bells and whistles to play with.
When I decided to upgrade my camera I chose to buy a mid-range digital camera as I wasn't quite ready for a SLR. The Panasonic DMC-FZ5 took to me to the next level and vastly enhanced creative options: zoom, macro, and many different effects. I was impressed by the quality and detail that I was able to capture.
I applied all the skills that I had picked up from my first camera and further refined my technical knowledge & skills. I realized that things get easier once you understand the functioning of a basic camera; you can transfer this understanding to more complicated equipment and your learning curve tends to be less steep.
Over time my hobby became more serious and I decided to research SLR cameras and bought the Nikon D-80. At first using this camera proved to be rather frustrating. There were too many buttons, too many options and it took some time to understand its functionality. However, once I figured out the controls, the camera opened a whole new world to me. Each day I discovered a new setting, the amazing lenses and filters that create all kinds of special effects. The accessories seem limitless.
On the flip side, I sometimes find that I am less creative as I am too preoccupied with technical details. When using a simpler, point and shoot camera, you can be totally in the moment and not get too stressed about settings.
Below are some photos from all 3 cameras. It seems obvious that the granularity and richness of detail increased with each camera. But the general mood of the images did not change that much.
The lesson: A simple mini digital camera can create magic too. Beauty can be captured with a relatively inexpensive equipment but we have to learn how to see and learn to capture the decisive moment. This is what creates great pictures.
Here are a few photos from my first camera Sony DSC-P92:
And here are a few photos from my second camera Panasonic DMC-FZ5:
And a few from my Nikon D-80:
Have fun shooting and don't forget to post links to your images here!
- Elsa
Add to Del.icio.us | Add to Digg | Add to Netscape
7 comments:
Wonderful photos! My vote goes the first and last camera.
Nancy
Those are great photos. I like the ones from your first camera just as much as the ones from the other two. Helen
wha in the would
i love these pics.. theres a lil bit of everything... from nature to people ... i really like it
The pictures you have taken are very good. Incredible in fact!! The difference with me is that I started out with Minolta K1000 SLR, 28 years ago, I believe that was the correct model. Because I also had a Canon something, and Nikon something, which I still have sitting over in the corner, in its case and haven't used it in 7 or 8 years, film still in it. The shutter is stuck, it happened once before and I had it fixed and I just haven't had it fixed again. Even though I loved to play around and take pictures. It was my passion. Then when the automatic 35 mml, came out I was hooked, for a while. now I have a simple little digital Kodak Easy Share 330. I love it, I guess because it is quick and lightweight. Easy to carry. I can't seem to find the time to explore all of the bells and whistles, like I would like to. But, what I have taken with it have turned out very well....But, I definitely miss, the time it took to take all of the pictures I did with the SLR's making notes,and the excitement and disappointments when I got them back(comparing notes and pictures) But, it's a very close race being able to take the picture look at it, delete, keep, load on computer, enhance, do all the the little fun things on the computer to adjust, etc.....SO... when I look at your pictures, it is reminiscent of the good old days.....of the SLR's but I love the digital too. Magnificent!!! Virginia Kines
BYE THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GOOD LUCK ELSA.....MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
vIRGINIA
Your progression was interesting, I did the same sort of progression over 50 years and now have a Nikon D50, my 5th SLR (and my 6th digital) and a Nikon S9 which I carry in my shirt pocket at all times. Your photos show your exceptional artistic eye but further demonstrate what I learned 50 years ago - great photos can be taken with any camera, only limited by the person releasing the shutter.
Post a Comment