What does exercise equipment have to do with a camera? How many treadmills are gathering dust or being used as a great place to hang clothes?
Many of us have had or have intentions of getting in to photography. We think about it, talk about it and buy our first ‘real’ camera. The cameras that have dials, buttons, a lot of features and capabilities.
We take it out of the box and start reading the manual.
Impatient to get through the details, we grab the camera, go outside and start taking pictures. One of a squirrel, a couple of the kids, the dog, the backyard and maybe a flower or two.
We go back inside to find that the subject on the screen looks so tiny, blurred, washed out, etc. Definitely not the vision of what we thought our work would look like.
This is it! Many cameras find their way back to their box to be used another day. Instead, it gathers dust and takes up precious closet space.
Why? Pick one or all of the following or add your own to the list:- We’re not reading the camera manual.
- This isn’t a point and shoot.
- Well, there’s just not enough time.
- Plus, I don’t know anyone to ask questions.
Camera Recommendations
- This one is huge! Know what you want to photograph before the purchase is made. If you don’t know what will motivate you to pick up the camera, the less likely you’ll use it versus your smartphone.
- Talk to another photographer or your local camera dealer to understand the time commitment, what it takes to learn what you want to do. It could be a simple as an hour or two. Or depending of your goals, could require extensive practice.
- Buy a good camera (I use Nikon) and take it out of the box.
- Commit to a few hours of reading the manual, a how-to-use the camera book and an easy to follow photography e-book. Jim Harmer’s Instructional e-books are available through Amazon. Easy to read and follow, he translates the technical jargon to usable steps.
- Explore other’s images on Google, Facebook (Facebook page example: Sheen’s Nature Photography), Instagram, etc. to inspire your own style.
- Google ‘how to’ photography tips for your specific interest. Take advantage of photography sites like Light Stalking for tips, guides and helpful informations.
- Get out there and take many pictures. Close up, far away, looking down, looking up, different settings.
- Recognize that you will only really be thrilled with a small percentage of your images – that’s normal.
- Lastly, don’t take yourself too seriously. You will evolve with experience. If you’re having fun, it will be reflected in your work.
