It was an excellent photography course, theory in the morning, practical in the afternoon, but I now know that my much-adored little camera won't do all the fancy things that we learnt about in the morning session. I want it to take a portrait with a blurred-out background, catch a bird in flight or a water droplet in mid-air.
I did love my camera until I had its limitations pointed out to me. So before I go out and spend vast amounts of money on a high-tech version that could capture a flea taking flight from a pin head I thought I'd share my favourite four photos that I took during the second part of the course using my very small, limited-capacity camera.
The Door: The keyhole to this door was thick with cobwebs. It hadn't been opened in a long time. Maybe not for hundreds of years. I do love doors.
The Thistle: Not a bad image for a dead thistle!
The Horse: Getting up close and personal. I'm just a teeny bit afraid of horses. They're so huge but this one was rather a sweetie, [even if I did lean on an electric fence to get the shot - ouch!]
The Stone Rose: I love those tiny specks of lichen, a basic form of life on an old and crumbling gravestone.
We all have our limitations. The important thing is knowing what they are and working within them. This little Canon Compact Camera knows that it can't catch water droplets in mid-air but it can still take a fine picture.
So do I stick with my compact camera or do I get an all-singing, mid-air-droplet variety? Any suggestions?
If you're interested in going on a photography course, I'd recommend this one which is run by Glen Tillyard from Digital Photography Courses. He runs regular courses for all levels and abilites and he's based in a little village in Leicestershire.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures! Especially the thistle. I've spent all afternoon out with my little compact Cannon, and have just viewed the pictures. I am happy enough with mine.
I also have a Nikon, which is, all singing, all dancing, BUT, I still spend time with my Cannon.
Don't abandon your familiar friend.
Regards the photography course, its something I've wanted to do this last year, and promised I would, but have not gotten around to, so I shall be taking a look...
Thank you
P.S We really must catch up soon. Tea and cake?
If you want those highly detailed, up close and personal photos you mention, then I guess you will have to upgrade.
ReplyDeleteI think your photos are beautiful. no matter what kind of camera they were taken with. Whether or not you upgrade to a camera with all the bells and whistles depends on what your end goal is for your photography and what you want to get out of it. If capturing a picture of a water droplet mid-air is something your really want to do, go for it! (Like the commercials say, "You're worth it.")
ReplyDeleteI have a little compact Canon too that I haven't bothered to learn yet. Several years after I got it. I guess it is not my thing at this time in my life. So I point and shoot. I sometimes feel I should do better, but so far haven't. This to say, I have no suggestions for you. But I must tell you that I really, really love the moss on the step leading to that old door. You can see it hasn't been opened for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteIt depends what you want to do with it! I have a big fancy camera which was my husband's (he was a photographer and died 16yrs ago) - I use the auto-focus as all thought of all those fancy bits is enough to give me a fit of the vapours, but my pictures will never be as good as his. And a compact canon which I take travelling, and gives photos that are good enough for me (and even good enough for book covers!.
ReplyDeleteSo - if you want to take raindrops and can get your head round all the nobs and whistles on the camera, then a big one looks great. I love your door, and your thistle (they'd be good enough for me) - but if you want to go even cleverer, then go for a big one! Good luck
I used to have a Nikon D50 DSLR but it gave up the ghost about a year ago (no idea why and nobody fixes them any more!) I now have a Canon SX210 point-and-shoot. It takes some excellent photos but it just isn't the same.
ReplyDeleteTake the plunge. Get yourself a whizzy camera. You can still carry your compact in your handbag for quick shots.
PS. I love the stone rose. That's my kind of photo.
ReplyDeleteThose are fantastic pics! I'd say go for the bells and whistles - this is obviously something you love (and have an eye for!) so go for it! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ros, that was a good post. I also realise that my Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot is limited, like your little Canon. I am currently weighing up whether to spend bigget and buy a really good professional camera. I think I'm going to do it.
ReplyDeleteI would perhaps go for it if I were you and buy the better camera. That's if you're really into photography and want your photos to be noticed. But I would still keep the small Canon too, for spur of the moment things when you might be out.
Duncan In Kuantan
I love doors, so this post had me eager to push through. Great pics with your little camera. Sounds like it's handy and obviously you've figured out how it best captures images. I'd keep it close for everyday wanderings and quick shots. But, you've got a great eye, so you might need a fancy dancy camera for serious photo shoots. Enjoy your photo adventures and don't make them a chore with too much fuss on equipment.
ReplyDeleteRos, you have such a great photographic eye. These 'simple' shots are really terrific.
ReplyDeleteYou obvously love photgraphy so I'd go for a high quality camera if fianances allow.
But continue enjoying taking photos- don't feel you have to justify the cost of a better camera by searching out 'fancy' shots - the ones here are really beautiful.
Hubby got me a Rebel and with my limitations visually it actually made my world sharper. It shows me thing on my laptop that I could not have picked up with my own eyes at the scene of the photo!
ReplyDeleteI so badly want to go take a photography course. One of these days I will make it happen. I also love neat doors; great photos! I like my Canon Rebel T1i (or some such - may be Ti1). I think what camera you have depends upon what you really want to do with it. Will you get out and take those fun pictures if you spend the money? Would it make you happy? Would the financial aspect not override the pleasure aspect? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWell done Rosalind. I like the doorway and the thistle head. I think with cameras, size does matter. The big ones may look more professional and do more tricks but you need a shopping bag to take them out with you. The little ones will go anywhere, anytime and therefore be close to hand when those unexpected shots present themselves. (This is the level of my technical knowledge!)
ReplyDeleteHi Ros .. am at the library - so hope this pops up!
ReplyDeleteGreat - well done you on learning new things ..it's something I'd like to do now .. that I'm free perhaps to go to the local adult education college ...
Let us know what you chose to do .. cheers Hilary
I know the dilemma but personally I don't think I have the kind of brain that can do the really technical stuff needed for the cameras that do those wonderful shots...if I did then I definitely would get one though.
ReplyDelete