Friday, January 17, 2014

Friday Photo Tip – My Camera

My Baby #canon #camera #photography

Today is my very first photo tip day! Thank you all for responding last week (see here) when I introduced the plan to do a series of photography and styling tips each week. I hope you find these helpful and I'm looking forward to chatting with you all. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like! Remember, I'm not a pro by any stretch of the word, so no questions will sound dumb to me. I'm not a tech person either, so much of the info I give will be from a personal experience, trial and error background. So ask ask away! I'll do my best to answer and I'm sure others will pipe in too!

I figure the best place to start is with the camera. My camera is a Canon EOS Rebel SL1 which is a DSLR. Whatever all that means! Who knows! This was the first "real" camera I have ever purchased. Before this, I only ever had point and shoot cameras, meaning that you don't really adjust anything, the camera does it for you. 

Now let me just come right out and say it at the beginning: This camera is expensive. You can find one of these right now for between $500-$800. This isn't going to be in everyone's budget and it doesn't need to be. Not everyone really needs this nice of a camera. Before my blog and shop, I was quite happy to have a regular old run of the mill digital camera to take snapshots of family trips and whatnot. When I started a business that relies upon imagery, I found that my digital camera just wasn't giving me what I wanted in a photo. Also, I never put photographs of myself on my blog until I got this camera. It made a freakin' world of difference in photos of myself. Images are crisp and amazingly detailed now.

The main reason I chose this particular camera was that it is the smallest and lightest DSLR camera on the market. My hands don't do well with holding heavy cameras and I don't want to lug around a huge object with me wherever I go either. Most ladies could probably fit this baby in a medium sized purse without problem. It is only 5" by 5" big! Is that still big enough to feel embarrassed taking photos of your food at a fancy restaurant? Yes, but I think it would feel that way no matter the size, so I've just had to tell myself to get over it and take the damn picture anyway! Luckily, now I have a smartphone that I can take some of those pics with instead. ;-)

Another tip: If you have a local photography/camera shop, I would suggest going there before the big box stores like Best Buy, etc. The big box store staff really doesn't have much knowledge of their cameras past the stats and info you can read on the box. A local shop however usually is made up of photographers. They tend to know exactly what cameras to suggest to which people and they will let you fiddle around with them a bit inside the store too (can't do that at Best Buy because they don't have a memory card and they're attached to a gargantuan safety lock). I wanted to be able to take some photos, try out different settings, etc. before I laid down that kind of money. The staff at the place I went to was extremely helpful and I trusted their expertise. Plus, I got to help support a local mom & pop shop, which I love.

Now, truth be told, I was in way over my head with this camera. Like I said, I had never had a "real" camera before so I had no idea how to really work this thing. Luckily for me, the main parts of the camera are relatively self explanatory. They did a great job at making it intuitive to use. I would love to take photography lessons some day, but for now I've just been trying out different settings and sticking with the ones that work for me. I'm a bit lazy. I could easily find online tutorials and such about how to use the camera, but I got overwhelmed with those quite quickly. Instead, I really only use like 10% of what the camera is probably capable of. I usually stick to portrait mode when photographing myself and then adjust different aspects to suit the mood, outfit, and location that I want (I will discuss this further in future photo tip posts).

Having had this camera now since June, I've had enough time to decide whether it works for me and ask the question "Did I make the right decision?". The answer is a resounding YES. I love this camera!

Please ask away about any specific questions you might have regarding the camera, how it works, etc. If you are thinking about purchasing something like this yourself I would love to be of any help possible in answering questions. Also, if you love the camera you have now, please let us all know what type it is and why you love it in the comments section so we can get other great recommendations going. 

Next week, I'll be sharing tips and info on the rest of my equipment, including my extra lens and tripod.


Last Week's Friday Photo Tip:



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19 comments:

  1. After seeing your photos and reading the details about this camera on dpreview.com, I'm very impressed! I use a Canon T5i, and I typically use the auto-settings, because Canon does a great job making even the most amateur (or lazy, in my case) user get awesome photos by taking a lot of guessing and experimenting out of the equation. The SL1 has practically the same features I have, but in a smaller package, including the latest technology in sensor logic which give the camera the ability to make make the most optimum setting changes in milliseconds. The SL1 also takes all the lenses and flashes offered by Canon. I often leave my T5i at home because of it's size, but I can see the SL1 being taken more places. After seeing your photos and reading about the camera, I may consider picking one of these up as a 2nd camera body for out-and-about photos. Thanks for posting this and I'm looking forward to your future posts! -Pat Freeman

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    1. I've always enjoyed your photos! You actually capture the dance in a way that I remember feeling while dancing. As a super amateur, I was stunned with the way this camera was set up. Crazy easy and yes, I think you would be really happy with it as a second, less bulky, option for you, especially if your other lens fit. I have no idea what it does in terms of movement, but for my still shots, I was thrilled with the results! Thank you for sharing your camera info and for participating Pat! :-)

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  2. Hi Jamie, that’s a handsome looking camera! I use a Canon G11 not a bit sophisticated, but it takes OK pictures (of books). Maybe I will branch out one of these days and buy something a little more special. You take brilliant photos, and I know I'm going to enjoy these posts.

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    1. You and your camera do a splendid job with your books. They are quite crisp, clean, bright and happy which seems perfect for what you do! :-)

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  3. We moved over the a DSLR last year too and I'm so very happy with it. I love the fact that you can also change up lens for different effects. They are wonderful but bulky:)

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    1. They are rather bulky, but I'm really happy with mine as it's the smallest and lightest one on the market right now. I honestly don't think I would have made the change had it not been for that one factor.

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  4. So happy you're doing this series! I still have a point and shoot camera, and I'm not sure I want to take the plunge on a dslr.... But I'll be pinning this for future reference!

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    1. I'm thrilled you like it Holly! And yes, pin for future! Really Holly, you seem like the perfect candidate for this type of camera. All your projects, outfits, and outings? If it is ever in budget, go for it! :-)

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  5. Great tips! Size and weight was the determining factor for my Nikon (basically the same camera just a different company). I love it too. It completely transformed my pics. Now I'm saving for a macro lens....gulp double the price of the camera!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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    1. Try Ebay Caroline!!! I purchased my macro for WAY less there. I'll actually be going over that info next Friday, so tune in. ;-)

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  6. We invested in a Canon Rebel T4i last year for the family. My oldest daughter was in Photography and needed access to a camera for projects and homework. She also is a pre-professional Ballet dancer and takes audition photos so this has allowed her to get her own and take them for her friends. My youngest studys classical voice and the camera has a nice film and recording ability. I purchased from a camera shop and they were able to help me find the right camera for our needs, Now I am trying to improve my photography skills and learn to use the camera. I like the quality and feeling in your photos I look forward to more tips from you.

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    1. Ooooh that sounds like a nice one indeed! And sounds like a great investment for your family (you seem to produce some talented daughters!).

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  7. I am very excited about this series! It is one of my goals this year to take more...and better photos. I have linked to your article on my blog http://smallbudgetbiglife.blogspot.com/ in a link round up I am doing of inspiring posts from the week.

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    1. Well thank you Jennifer! Glad to be a part of it! That is a great goal too and I wish you much luck and inspiration to fuel it! :-)

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  8. Thrilled to see you talk about photography. It's such an integral part of blogging that we all need to learn more about it. Your tips are good, especially the one about going to a camera store instead of an electronics store. People who work in camera stores are almost always photographers whose passion means they know infinitely more and can steer us in the right directions.

    You picked a great camera. You mention DSLR and what that means is an acronym for "digital single lens reflex." Before digital cameras, there were SLRs that used film. While one doesn't need to know exactly why a camera qualifies as a SLR, the biggest advantage they have is their ability to interchange lenses. Everyone should have a normal (55mm) and a zoom lens (mine go up to 200mm and 300mm).

    Can't wait for your future posts!

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  9. Thanks for this post. I'm really interested in learning more about photography and the cameras people use. Your photos really do come out beautifully.

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  10. I recently got the Rebel T3i and I have to agree, the quality is so much better than with a digital camera. Really glad I took the plunge and got a DSLR! Great, informative post! :)

    www.natalielovesbeauty.com

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  11. Jamie, I love how you explain this in normal people language :) Your photos are so amazing - I thought you were a pro. You give me hope that I can do it if I can just get a camera like yours. Thanks!

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