Do I Need a Fancy Camera to take Great Photos

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nemo Sandman on May 16, 2008 at 10:22am

Hello,

about this subject
I have created a group named the "Poor Man Photographer".

http://www.myshutterspace.com/group/poormanphotographers

I hope to see many example of non fancy camera doing fancy pictures !
cheers
Nemo

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Permalink Reply by Captain Ted on May 16, 2008 at 1:21pm

IMHO, no but it helps (alot). Don't get me wrong, P&S cameras CAN take good pics when set on auto. Color and clarity can be good, but consistant, dynamic photos are achieved by adjusting settings (aperature, speed, iso, temp) depending on conditions (lighting, angle, subject, etc). Even many P&S cameras allow these settings to be adjusted, but are rarely used by the consumer. Consider composition (includes everything i mentioned) and timing are main factors in any great shot no matter the camera. Good glass, good body, good editing techniques are secondary and definately help. Practice, read, network - see what works and what doesn't... Peace

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Permalink Reply by Dasiavue on August 1, 2008 at 1:54pm

I never realized Paul didn't use a SLR. He usesdifferent lenses for infrared. Can you do that on a non-SLR?

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Permalink Reply by Fkostas on June 28, 2008 at 2:17am

Ha! I am tempted to put away the FRUSTRATING S5 IS and pull out the simple easy share! How is it that a $99.00 camera produces better results than a more advanced model at 3 1/2 times the price? I can't get this miserable camera to function, and I have gone over the manual many times. For instance, if I shoot in aperture Priority, in f/8.0, WHY does it automatically revert to, say f/2.8? Isn't a higher aperture desirable for a landscape? No matter how I set this stubborn thing, it reverts to whatever setting it wants. Not one out of almost 1,000 photos have acceptable focus! Bad camera? Bad model? It mocks me.

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Permalink Reply by Edgar on June 28, 2008 at 10:48pm

Hello,

My name is Ed and I've got the S2 IS, it's very much similar to the S5 IS and the camera that you have can do a lot o' things that most P&S camera's can't. I actually own two S2's because i loved it so much.

I suggest you join a Canon S2/S3/S5 group and post your question/s about your problems with the camera. I'm sure you'll find some answers or suggestions.

Now, i will suggest to use the " Landscape " ( it's on the Dial ) setting on the camera to shoot landscape/nature scenes and see if that works for you.

Ed

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Permalink Reply by Holly Smith on July 13, 2008 at 1:58am

Hello,

My name is Holly, and I have the S3 IS. I LOVE this camera, and have recommended it to everyone who has asked. The only times I have problems with this camera are when I accidentally change the ISO setting to a high ISO (since the button is right next to where I hold the camera) or when I'm trying to shoot through glass or chain link fencing. I don't use most of the preset modes, such as landscape or portrait, so I can't comment on those. Perhaps folks at the Canon user group can help. I'm there also, and I'd be happy to do what I can.

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Permalink Reply by Gailie on May 16, 2008 at 10:35pm

I have a digital SLR, I do not class mine with the "professional" cameras. In today's market you can pick up a good DSLR at a very reasonable price. Especially now that Canon has introduced the Digital Rebel XSI / 450D. Its predecessors can now be obtained at a very very reasonable cost. I love my camera, I believe that it takes practice practice practice. I take approximately 100 shots to every 1 that I post on this site. I sort through them, pick out the best, and go from there. But, as has been previously posted in this discussion, Paul Holmes takes phenomenal photographs with his non-dslr camera. Check his site out. So to answer your question...yes...you can take good photographs with a non-dslr camera.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on May 17, 2008 at 3:55am

Steven,
I am by no means a pro, but have had great results for many years using my sony cybershot point and shoot. So much so that I used the same 3.2 megapixel camera up until about 6 months ago. I just upgraded to a dslr and I'm haveing a hard time adjusting to all the settings and variables.. I know it will come with time and practice, but there are times I still break out the old sony to grab a shot on the fly without having to tinker and set up the camera.

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Permalink Reply by Captain Ted on June 30, 2008 at 10:59am

A fair analogy would be camera equipment to a photographer is like a rock star playing with an ordinary guitar. He could play a $300 guitar and sound incredible because he/she is trained and can easily adapt to any equipment he has. I can be 'out-played' because of experience (knowing result he wants to achieve and knowing what to do with the equipment to achieve that). If i were to pick up and play a $12,000 Gibson, it wouldnt make me a better guitar player [believe me:)]. Be creative, use your eye/skills... equipment is secondary in art compared to creativity. However, learning how to play a $12,000 Gibson would be really cool and something that could compound my skills. Keep learning, expand, enjoy your passion. Peace.

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Permalink Reply by Everlasting Visions on May 17, 2008 at 5:43am

I have a Canon Powershot S3 IS, not a SLR but it still takes stunning pictures and has 10 times optical zoom...just what I need to capture emotions in nature

Unfortunately, if I need to think of doing photography on a more serious mode, I've been told I need to get an SLR...

I think any technology is cool...important thing is how you capture the feelings, emotions etc etc...

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Permalink Reply by Edgar on June 29, 2008 at 2:24am

" important thing is how you capture the feelings, emotions etc etc. "

yes, yes. very true.

btw, i own two Canon S2 IS...

Ed

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Permalink Reply by Steven on May 20, 2008 at 7:19am

Thank you all for your replies. I'm glad i invested in my P&S cameras. You have all given me a lot more confidence in them ,thanks again.

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