In the least pretentious and most genuine way possible,
I’ve decided to answer a few questions I am often asked. On an unrelated note, here’s a cool picture of me being pretentious:
No, I don’t think I’m that cool or anything like that, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. But I do tend to get photography related questions on a regular basis (which is so so so flattering), and I wanted to address some of the most frequently asked questions here in this blog post in hopes of helping out some fellow photography enthusiasts. Here we go!
1. Canon or Nikon? This to me is a silly question, because they are both great brands. I shoot Canon because I’ve shot on Canon for over six years and I’ve never had a problem with build, reliability, etc. Both Canon and Nikon make respectable bodies and you will be happy with either. A lot of people like to identify with Canon or Nikon, and then sort of form a kinship with other Canon/Nikon enthusiasts. If that works for you, cool! Go for it.
2. What camera do you recommend for a beginner? Canon, Nikon, and Sony all have phenomenal starter cameras. It all depends on what you want to shoot, your price range, and your future plans. If you love photography as a hobby, and you have a moderate price range I would suggest a Nikon d40 or any of the Canon Digital Rebel series. If you have bigger plans, I would recommend saving until you can afford a full bodied camera.
3. How do I know if a used camera is a good camera to buy? This depends largely on your needs. If you are a hobbyist, it will usually make sense to buy used. When buying a used camera, I would ask the seller to accompany you to a store like our local Colonial Photo and Hobby, and have them check it out in front of both parties. If that’s a little too intense for you, just test it out. If it’s an SLR, make sure it loads film correctly, and I would develop the film before purchasing. DSLR – play around with it; make sure there aren’t any spots showing in your images. Basically, common sense rules this game. If it seems to be working – lens mount is working, film is loading, and the pictures are accurate – go for it!
4. How can I improve my photography? Shoot, shoot, shoot, charge your batteries, shoot some more. I am no expert on photography and I still live by this motto myself. I am constantly trying to improve, trying to grow, trying to learn. On a related note, don’t be too hard on yourself. I am guilty of this daily. I often compare myself to people who are so talented, so experienced, and so far into their careers that I get so bummed about my work. When in reality, it’s all relative! The bottom line is this: It’s great to be motivated, and you should shoot every day if you want to grow in photography, but don’t beat yourself up about your shortcomings either. It’s a fine line, this photography stuff.
5. Textures, editing, programs. What do you use? I use Lightroom and Photoshop CS4. I use a variety of textures and I don’t have any specific method to my madness. Editing for me is (lamely) cathartic, and once it’s done, I can’t look at it anymore. If I do, I’ll want to re-edit, only to continue the torturous cycle.
6. What’s your style? That’s a really good question, I asked myself that for a while. I realize that I am primarily drawn to images that contrast loud pops of color with soft, feminine, and romantic touches. I enjoy warm colors, vintage textures, and long walks on the beach… erm.. wait… You get the idea; I want my images to be like modern art, wherein the couple is part of the natural beauty of the shot.
7. How do I define my style? Figure out what you love! Also, keep shooting and editing until your eyes fall out (no, literally). When you find something you are continuously drawn to (for me, modern and soft touches with a bit of a creative and edgy flair), run with it! And remember, your style is always evolving as you grow with photography.
Phew, 800 words later, hopefully this answers a lot of the questions I’ve been getting. If you have any additional questions, feel free to comment on this blog post or use the contact form to shoot me an email. I love emails and I love helping fellow photogs, and don’t worry I won’t bite (unless its before 8am and there’s no coffee, and then.., yeah, I’ll bite you).
