I figured I’d pop in here today and post some links and info that you might want to read about…whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
I get this question asked a lot, “What point and shoot camera would you recommend?”. I recently just picked up the Canon Powershot SD1200is. It’s small, it fits in my purse, and it’s super duper easy to use. You literally turn it on and shoot! I keep it with me all the time ‘just in case’. I love love love it for landscape shots! You can check out some of my favorite images taken with this camera on flickr HERE. Keep in mind that I do process all of my images taken with it in Lightroom or Photoshop. I just don’t get the great color with it as I do with my DSLR. It’s got a nice little macro setting. I’m not a fan of the zoom on it though, so it’s not ideal for any kind of wildlife photography. But if you like bugs, flowers and landscapes it’s something you might want to look into!
Here’s a shot on taken with the SD1200is on a recent trip to Epcot in Orlando. I processed this in Lightroom:
If you want a camera with more options, something closer to a DSLR but still compact, look into the Canon Powershot G10. I did consider getting the G10 for my compact purse camera, but if I was going to go into that price range I would have rather saved that money for another lens or a flash for the DSLR.
Speaking of lenses, the old Canon 18-55mm non-IS kit lens gets a bad rap. If you’re ever on any message boards or on flickr you’ll hear how it’s just a crap lens. Not true! Please don’t sell yours! It is true, that you get what you pay for…but sometimes you can do amazing things with equipment that you didn’t pay much for! This lens stays with me all of the time in my bag. I’ve used it for landscapes, studio shots, cars, horses, etc. I recently took a two week roadtrip with my girls out to the southwest. I just HAD to see Upper Antelope Canyon in Arizona. I went in with my tripod, the Canon 50D, the Sigma 10-20mm and the kit lens. I ended up ditching the tripod and just putting the kit lens on the 50D and doing all of my shots hand held. Here’s my favorite photo from Antelope Canyon:
Macro Photography is something I think everyone dabbles in, some get addicted and some only do it once in awhile. If you’ve got a DSLR and you’re thinking of doing it, you might want to try out some of the cheaper alternatives before plunking down the cash on a dedicated macro lens. At first, I tried out a Bower Macro Filter. It just screwed on to the end of my Canon 28-80mm 3.5/5.6 USM lens. Cheap and simple. I wanted to make sure that I was OK getting that close to bugs! lol Here’s an image taken using that set up:
I found the Bower Digital Macro Filter +10 on Ebay. You can probably pick one up for less than $20.00 If you’d like to try this, make sure you get the correct mm size of the lens you want to buy the filter for. You can find the mm size at the end of your lens, inside near the glass. For example, the 18-55mm non-IS kit lens is 58mm.
I did catch the ‘macro bug’ fever and ended up owning the Canon 100mm 2.8 macro lens. LOVE this lens, it’s perfect for what I wanted. Here’s a shot taken with it:
Once you start getting into macro, you’ll soon realize you’re going to need a flash depending on the light. Sure, with the Canon 100mm 2.8 I can work in shade or low light but I’m only going to get the bug’s eye in focus. If I want to work at f/8 or higher to get more of the object/bug in focus I need a flash. I wasn’t ready to purchase a macro ring flash so I decided to try something a bit different. I bought the Gary Fong Puffer for the on board flash that’s on my 50D. I figured it didn’t hurt to try it! Here’s a macro shot with the lens and also using the Puffer on the on board flash:
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160), Aperture: f/10
I was really pleased with it. Plus, it’s great to use when you’re shooting people pictures indoors so you don’t get that horrible flash shadow behind your subjects.
Another thing a lot of people get interested in is using a Fisheye lens. I too was curious about it but didn’t want to go right out and buy a dedicated fisheye. So, I went back to Ebay and found a Fisheye Filter that screwed onto the end of one of my lenses.
Again, you need to make sure that the filter you buy will fit your particular camera and lens. You’re going to want the correct mm size just like with the macro filter. Here’s a fun shot with the set up you see in the photo above:
When it comes to DSLR’s I have three cameras I recommend, but it depends on what you want to shoot (I only mention Canon because those are the only cameras I have ever really owned or used, I just don’t have personal experience with any other brands). If you need a fast shutter speed for action, sports, wildlife, etc. then you’ll want to check out the Canon 50D which is what I use. If you need a full frame camera, are into landscapes, studio work, portraits, etc. then look into the Canon 5D Mark II. Of course the 50D can handle studio work, portraits, etc. but with the full frame sensor on the 5D Mark II, you will get the full range out of your lenses, especially the wide angles…plus it’s got video. If money is absolutely no object, then check out the Canon 1DS Mark III.
Speaking of video on the Canon 5D Mark II, check out this blog post by Andie Smith about her finally using the video on her camera! And be sure to stop by her photography blog HERE too…she does some great photography, especially her work with airplanes!
I did mention Lightroom. I love it! I’ve compiled a list here on the blog of several sites that offer free presets. You can find that list HERE.
If you need info on how to install presets into lightroom, check out this video HERE.
If you’re a professional photographer and are looking for some products to enhance your photos and your business, be sure to check out Pink Ink Studios! The shop there is chock full of marketing materials, photoshop actions, storyboards, Lightroom presets, greeting cards, save the dates, and much much more!
Holly McCaig always has great info on her blog. Check out this recent post on unique backdrops, but be sure to hop all around her blog for everything. She’s always posting fun stuff!
I’ve really been finding some great stuff at Smashing Magazine. Here’s a few posts to check out. The Ultimate Collection Of Photoshop Actions. Desktop Wallpapers for September 2009. 50 Incredible Photography Techniques and Tutorials. 100 Beautiful Free Textures. 50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Photography Skills.
Photo Contests seem to go hand in hand with photography whether you’re a beginner or a pro. There’s endless amounts of contests you can enter. The first and most important tip I can give you is READ the rules and any other information they provide to you about the contest. Some contests do state that they have the right to re-use your image for their own projects. Be sure to read the information they give you and that you’re ok with what happens to your photo after you enter it. Also make sure you’re submitting the correct type of image (jpg, etc.) and that it’s the correct DPI and size that they ask for. Here’s a big list of some photography contests if you’re interested.
Whew! That’s a lot for today. I didn’t expect to do a blog post this long, but I hope I was able to provide you with some information and ideas!
I’ll leave you with a photo I shot yesterday morning 
