Camera Know How

Just owning a "good" digital SLR isn't enough you have to know how to use it to its potential to get studio worthy quality. 

 If you own a digital SLR but don't know how to use it you may as well have spent a whole lot less on a point and shoot, cause you're not going to get the high end quality you're hoping for! 

Lighting is another major area of concern so really you need to be well versed in all aspects of photography if you really want professional shots.  

There are many classes offered (relatively inexpensive) at your local colleges on the use of the digital SLR's.  A friend of mine attended and she is now making $$$ with her pics and let me tell you they blow away "most" any seen here.

My .02 

BTW My pics are terrible, I only have a point and shoot.  But am looking into investing in a digital SLR in the near future and I will be enrolling in a digital photography class.

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Life is too short for drama and petty things, so laugh insanely, Love truly and forgive quickly.

Having an SLR and knowing how to use it can be beneficial, I do agree. BUT I have also seen individuals take photos using and point and shoot that could rival any SLR photos. Equipment is not the only, nor do I believe, the biggest contributing factor to good photos. The person behind the camera has to have an "eye" for the good shots. Seeing the finished product before snapping the pic....knowing where and what your background is etc...

I also have no schooling in photography. I have a DSLR and am teaching myself along the way. With close to no knowledge of shutter speeds, aperture or anything else - I took this photo:


So yes, a good camera and knowledge of how to use it are beneficial, but good photos are possible without those as well.

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If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll

point & shoot....that's me!

I love the point & shoot type of camera. I'm an artist by nature, so I don't mind spending some time/energy getting the herp in just the right position, looking for just the right angle, and having just the right lighting and all that type of stuff...but when I am ready to capture all that effort in a photo, I don't want top have to fidget with camera settings....I just want to click a button   I always have the camera in macro mode and everything else in auto settings.

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An Excellent Show; don't miss it!

ArpeggioAngel wrote: Having an SLR and knowing how to use it can be beneficial, I do agree. BUT I have also seen individuals take photos using and point and shoot that could rival any SLR photos. Equipment is not the only, nor do I believe, the biggest contributing factor to good photos. The person behind the camera has to have an "eye" for the good shots. Seeing the finished product before snapping the pic....knowing where and what your background is etc... I also have no schooling in photography. I have a DSLR and am teaching myself along the way. With close to no knowledge of shutter speeds, aperture or anything else - I took this photo: So yes, a good camera and knowledge of how to use it are beneficial, but good photos are possible without those as well.

I agree with what you said Katie. I only use a point and shoot, not being conceited, and I think I take some descent pictures. Katie is right, Lighting, background, shutter speed and an "eye" for the shot mean a lot. I know my camera inside and out and it will no doubt have me ready for my purchase of a Canon Rebel Xti............ C'mon "stimulous" check!

Jay

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PJC Reptiles - "Quality Before Quantity"

P.S.

I love that picture Katie. Now that's haveing an "eye" for the shot. ;)

Jay

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PJC Reptiles - "Quality Before Quantity"