If you are a photographer, or an aspiring one, WELCOME! I am so glad you are here! Over the last few months I have been honored, and humbled to have had a handful of local friends and acquaintances approaching me with more and more photography questions. I decided to make a post here sharing and answering some of the most common FAQ's. To begin with, I just want to say that when I first started, I think I must have done nearly everything the wrong way before learning the better way, to be honest! When I started, I didn't even know some of the things the people coming to me asking questions know! I remember so well that whereas I knew I loved the art of taking pictures, I didn't know where to begin to look in getting started. I can recall asking some other photographers for their guidance, at which point I quickly learned that many photographers are not very friendly. One of the people I questioned didn't even respond to me, the other one led me on a total rabbit trail and did not answer the question I asked! A third one and fourth one were the most helpful. I have found that the more established ones who have been doing it the longest seem the most helpful. I realize now, after these years and lot's of hard work, that it is because of all the hard work that is completely unrecognized that makes some photographers want to withhold helpful advice. After all, when you work so hard for something, the last thing you want is for someone else to come in and reap the benefits! So why am I doing this you might ask? I will be honest. A couple years ago i would not be doing this. I have since learned, however, that nobody can take from me what God has planned just for me. Nobody can become Me, and nobody can offer quite what I can because we are all individuals. Therefore, I trust God to keep things even, and it's a wonderful feeling. Sometimes I loose this feeling and have to get it back, but when I can keep this trust it is a wonderful peace! With that said, I am creating this series out of my own freewill, and I am going to be sharing information that took me years of hard work, and even some tears in learning! As a SAHM (and an H/S mom to boot) I am presently a hobbyist because my own family dynamics do not provide me the time to devote to taking on much extra at all right now. With that said, if at any point you find that the information I am sharing is a blessing to you and you feel the need to send a donation for my time, it would be deeply, deeply appreciated! It is my hope that this article and the following one will help point you in the right directions, and help you get started in this venture that although difficult, it is fun! So here we go! Today I will cover three of the most common FAQ's! Q. Camera Gear. Nikon or Canon, what do I get? A. I shoot Canon, but if I had it to do over again I probably would have gone with Nikon. Why? Go to Flicker and try to find images shot with both. I feel that Nikon are sharper, and there is just something edgy about them that I like. I cannot explain it, but for around three years now every time I see an image I love that really grabs me, I find out it was always, always shot with Nikon. Q. What camera series is good for me? A. This depends. Do you want to go pro someday? Or do you just want it for family? If you want to do things for other people and possibly go pro, get the most expensive one you can afford. DSLR's are so common now, as Kristen Duke of Kristen Duke Photography said so well "I don’t think a Rebel will do since so many amateur’s have them) Do you want your clients to have a newer model than you?" :-) On that note, most higher quality cameras will shoot better images in low light situations. Lower priced ones have more defects that we call "noise". Noise can be so bad in low light that you cannot even really decipher the picture. In buying or upgrading, you have got to check this site out! you can use their comparison tool to compare camera's! Click HERE. Find your camera and compare it to something like a powershot as well as the top of the line (one of the canon Marks). Q. What lens do I get? A. Whatever you do, if you are just getting your first camera, please don't get the kit lens if you want to take really nice images. You are going to want a lens that gives you a nice blur. Something 2.8 or lower (like a 1.4, 1.2, or 1.8). The blur, also known as bokeh is part of what makes an image look professional. See below for an example. Personally, I am a fan of primes. You can learn the difference between zooms and primes here. A good beginners lens is the nifty fifty, a 50mm 1.8 lens. You can get one for around a hundred bucks. Or if you have money to burn you can get a better one for around $500. Or you can get the best one for around $1,700. The next step is deciding what you are going to take pictures of. Honestly, it took me years to decide what was right for me! If it's portraits you want to do though, you'll want either an 85mm or a 100mm. Once again, they come in different price ranges. If it's weddings you want to do, we are talking a whole new ballpark. And we are talking thousands of dollars. Please do not ever consider shooting a wedding professionally with a rebel, by the way. Here is one article to help you with wedding gear though, and here is one more. If you are considering wedding photography, please, please intern with somebody before venturing on your own. At least for one or two weddings so you know what you are getting into. Now, if all you have is a kit lens, don't despair! Yes, you will want to upgrade, but here is a good article to get the most out of your kit lens http://digital-photography-school.com/why-your-kit-lens-is-better-than-you-think . In Deciding which camera and which lens, look for review websites. Since I shoot Canon I use this one (below). I have spent literally hours here! I think it is safe to say that this place has saved me hundreds, perhaps thousands that would have been unwisely spent. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ If you are thinking to upgrade, one of the best pieces of advice that I read (and I cannot remember where I read it) but it was to fully learn what you have before you upgrade! Okay, I don't want to bombard you so that will be all for today! If this post has helped you then you might be interested in my services found on my "Flourish" pages!
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AboutShayla P. {Camera Artist} offers fine art, boutique portraiture photography for family's. Since 2009 she has enjoyed refining her photography, art, and posing skills, creating beautiful imagery for family's to treasure. She works hard for each of her clients to create a comfortable, stress free environment, and a fun and special experience. Her specialties include Family, Maternity, Newborn, Baby, Child, Senior and Lifestyle photography. Shayla P. {Camera Artist's} family photography services are available to families of Eastern Washington including Colville, Kettle Falls, Chewelah, Deer Park, and Spokane. She will travel to Seattle as well! Categories
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