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Digital Photography For All

Updated on June 17, 2010

Introduction

Like the endless debate about Mac v PC, there is a debate about film v digital. The difference is that with photography digital is winning the argument!

The advent of digital technology means that it is easier for everyone to improve their photographic skills and to get more enjoyment out of their photography. Why? Because you no longer have to pay for film and processing everytine you want to take some pohotographs, and if you don't like your shots you can simply delete them. No wasted film and time!

I hope to share the things I have learnt over my many years enjoying photography, first in film and now in digital.

Equipment needed

Many people think that its important to spend as much as possible on a digital camera in order to get the best results. Wrong! An old saying tells us that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and that is a truth we all need to learn. As regards digital photography (indeed any kind of photography), what this tells us that the equipment is not the important thing, but what we see. Not just see with our eyes, but more importantly, what we see with our brains.

Think for a moment about the fact that every day, all over the world, there are robots taking pictures constantly and none of us regards these images as art - they are called CCTV cameras. Yes, there are human operators behind most of them but their job is mainly to observe and report, not exert artistic control over the images. Quality is limited and most images will be erased after a certain period of time.

So, my question to you is "when you take a picture, who's in control - you or the camera?"

You of course. So, take control and use your brain, Before you take a picture, think about what it is you are trying to achieve, what you want your image to say to the viewer. If you already have a camera, I suggest that you first of all decide what kind of images you want to take and then push your existing camera to the limit, find its weaknesses and exploit its strengths. I promise you your photography will improve no end.

If you don't have a digital camera and are intending to buy one, then before you spend your money, think carefully about the same issues, what it is you want to photograph (landscape, wildlife, portraits, still life etc) and read as much as possible written by experts in the field and take note of what kind of equipment they use. Of course, we can't all afford the latest Nikon or Canon DSLR and lenses, but we can learn from them.

For instance, most wildlife photographers use a tripod most of the time and they use long lenses. So, even on a limited budget your priority should be a good tripod that's light but sturdy and a long lens (prime lenses are better quality than zoom lenses). If you want to be a great wildlife photographer, resolution is less important than sharp images, so good quality glass and eliminating camera shake are much more important. A 10MP image that isn't cropped (because you had a decent long lens - 300mm or greater) will give you a better final image than one taken on a 18MP camera that has been heavily cropped because you took it with a cheap 55 - 180mm zoom lens.

So, remember, quality is important, more important than resolution. Better to get a cheaper 10MP DSLR and spend the rest on a good quality prime lens than spend your money on a higher specification DSLR with a kit kens.

Next time we will look in more detail at the various choices depending on what style or photography we wish to concentrate on.

Some of my personal images

Magnolia in bloom
Magnolia in bloom
Sunset at Abberton Reservoir
Sunset at Abberton Reservoir
Dawn at Abberton Reservoir
Dawn at Abberton Reservoir
Nature in close-up
Nature in close-up
Eden Project, Cornwall, UK
Eden Project, Cornwall, UK

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