Thursday, May 5, 2011

The artistry comes from the photographer not the camera

I receive a lot of questions on how to get started in photography on a minimal budget. It's easy. The artistry comes from the photographer, not the camera. You can begin with a camera phone, iPhone, an inexpensive Point and Shoot or an entry level DSLR. Purchase whatever your budget allows. Any of these is a place to start.


An iPhone captures great photos - 

Captured with an iPhone. Photo credit- Tim Todd


Captured with an iPhone. Photo credit- Tim Todd


Captured with an iPhone. Photo credit- Tim Todd

Before I could afford a DSLR my photos were taken with an inexpensive Point and Shoot. Very few people can tell the difference between my Point and Shoot photos and my DSLR photos. Here are two samples from my Point and Shoot -


Captured with my Point and Shoot


Captured with my Point and Shoot

Move up to more expensive gear when your budget allows. Once you are headed in a specific direction you can determine if you need more expensive gear like special lenses, a tripod, special flash attachments, etc. 


One of the first photos I took with my Nikon D90 DSLR


Captured with my Nikon D90 DSLR


Very few people can afford to start with professional gear that may cost thousands of dollars. Better to use that camera phone and get your feet wet than to never start clicking at all.


Start shooting with whatever you have or can comfortably afford, study photographic composition which is more important for beginners than fancy gear and read, read, read, practice, practice, practice.


I enjoy looking back at my early images and seeing how far I've come. Keep track of your progress. It's encouraging and amazing. 


It's fun if you have a friend or group of friends interested in photography who you can shoot with. Join a photo club. No matter what your age, I guarantee a day of photography whether shooting with a camera phone, a Point and Shoot or a DSLR is a great fun!  


Please be sure and check out Tim Todd's website Darje' Images. Many of his photos are of Western Washington where I live. I'd love to share my area of the world with you through his stunning images. 


Tim, thank you for letting me share your iPhone photos on my blog, I very much appreciate it. I'd love to have you write a guest blog post and share your considerable knowledge with us!






Next post - composing backgrounds in your photos.





43 comments:

JIM said...

SO very true..do you love it when someone sees your images and says " wow you must have great camera?"
lol I bet no one tells a writer wow you must have a great computer!!!



http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/05/read-all-about-it-proof-dinosaurs-in.html

Aaron said...

Mari,
As always great post. Many early photographers always make the mistake of "gear hunting" to make them a better photographer when the truth is the photographer supplies all the magic. Some of my best shots are with a beginner DSLR and kit lens.

When you are starting out keep it as basic as possible and master your gear before adding more.

Aaron
http://www.aaronoutward.com/2011/05/aprils-best-urban-and-landscapes.html

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Jim - your comment about writer's and computers gave me a real chuckle. :D

I've gotten so many emails from folks saying they'd love to get into photography but can't afford the gear. Hope this helps dispel the notion it takes lots of money to get started.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Aaron - so very true!

David said...

Beautiful pics and good info. I've been toying with the idea of getting a fancy camera, guess I'll hold onto my ancient point and shoot for awhile longer. Practice practice practice I must lol

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

David - I love your photos! When you do decide to move into a DSLR there's so many decisions to make. I'll be doing some posts with suggestions.

I'll get some ideas from Jim and a couple of my other pro's for that post :D

David said...

Thanks!! Every pic I've ever taken has been with 35mm point and shoot or cellphone. Never owned a digital camera as I'm old school but gonna make the leap in the next few months. Need some suggestions from you professionals, a blog post on that topic in the near future would be nice :)

Angel Eyes said...

Beautiful Shots you have a great eye (ha Jim I didnt say camera) lol I love your work!

xxooxx

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

David - I'm planning on a post on the subject of cameras and lenses. I'm going to ask Jim and a couple of our other photo buddies to help me write it. I'll have each one discuss their camera and gear and why they chose it.

Finding One's Way said...

Mari,

Ok miss the iPhone it is... will start tomorrow. Wish me luck...
xoxox
Jessica

Kriti said...

Very encouraging Mari - on my way to Tim's blog. You are so right about the artistry bit - I don't think I would be able to capture moments like you do even if I had the most expensive gadgets.

Nelieta said...

People normally think "What a great camera" but they forget that it is more important to have an eye for a good photo.

Great post and great tips!

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Jessica - can't wait to see your photos! Glad you're jumping in!!

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Nelieta - so true. All it takes is some study and looking at other's photography or even paintings to pick up composition.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Kriti - I'd be willing to bet you that within 6 months you'd be shooting like a pro!

Rimly said...

Spectacular Mari. each picture was a treat to the eye.

Jidhu Jose said...

its the truth.
I use my Camera phone

Ravenmyth said...

Mari..when artistic, you look at the world through the Artist's Eye...you are the painter of that vast canvas before you..it is the Artist's way, no matter what the modality.Love your art! Me too Jim..made me laugh.

pilgrim said...

Thank you for a lovely post Mari!

I look forward to reading your piece about lenses. At the moment I only have a 18-55mm and a 50mm fixed lense for my Canon 400D and I SO wish I could afford a 70-200mm 2.8 with image stabilizer! That would be the only other lens I would ever buy, oh, and perhaps a good macro...

As you say though, without the fancy equipment it is still very possible to take stunning pictures.

Love all yours!

www.caminosantiago2012.blogspot.com

IMPRESSIONS said...

Wowwwwwwwwww, that's all i can say.:)

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous post and photos, Mari! Thank you visiting my blog and for your comment! Your picture hasn't shown up with my followers, but I have joined yours and look forward to enjoying more of your work. We do indeed live in a beautiful area! And today we even have some lovely skies and sun!!! Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

Sailor said...

Beautiful shots. And your post make poor souls like me feel better:)

I am sure you will have lots to click in Alaska with your trip.

Thanks for all the nice comments. Had problem with our internet for couple of days and back to work. Have a nice weekend!

mmichele said...

What a beautiful blog with beautiful photos! I'm so glad you found me and I look forward to following your blog!

Admin1 said...

Hi hon,
I'm a new follower! Wow! I cannot believe how gorgeous those pictures are! Love the dogs! Adorable. :)

I actually came to your blog to thank you for the wonderful comments you left at Jessica Brant's finding one's way page on my story living this side of hell.

I wanted to thank you and let you know I have left a comment on the story telling you all how much your comments and support have meant. I hope you'll get a chance to reAD it. :) Anyways, I'm working on a blog post I've dedicated to the wonderful people like you who commented with such empowering, kind words. I will be sharing your link on the post. :)

By the way, I love your blog! I'm so glad I visited! You have some of the most beautiful, interesting works of photography here! I can't wait to read more of your posts! So well done!
Thank you so much!
-Kendra

cooking varieties said...

hi mari, whatever you use, the results are great because you have the artistic talent to shoot images at the best angle.

I am not a photographer and i believe having an artistic eye is very important before anyone can join the ranks of pro photographers- irregardless how sophisticated one's camera is

KD said...

Very cool photos! I agree the artistry comes from behind the camera...but it sure is fun to play with the nice stuff!

Duane Scott said...

I loveeee that first photo. :)

Teamgsquare said...

Yes its very true , now days there are many good mobile cameras . I'm too following you . Thanks for being on our blog .

Arti said...

Stunning captures, and the title just couldn't have been better!

Pooch Purple Reign said...

hi mari
thank you for visiting my blog and your kind comment. i started using my cell phone camera, now have iphone ... big improvement haha. actually it is :)
im sure i will learn something by following you
~laura

Sebab said...

Thanks for all the nice comments and visits. In one of the earlier comments about Alaska you said you wanted to go to Alaska and I wanted to suggest you somewher warmer in the south. Now I know that you figured that out yourself. I am sure you would really enjoy a few days of warm climate :D

Waiting for your more cool tips on photography.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Mari...thanks for coming over and for your very kind comments about my blog...I am thrilled!!! I'll have a look around now...Dzintra

Melissa Tandoc said...

mari... you said it's the photographer not the camera... how about models...or subjects... does it help if you have really good ones?

alejandro guzman said...

I think my iPhone is getting a little old now... need to upgrade lol
Thanks Mari

A

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzin said...

Hi Mari...thanks for coming over and for your very kind comments about my blog...I am thrilled!!! I'll have a look around now...Dzintra

KD said...

Very cool photos! I agree the artistry comes from behind the camera...but it sure is fun to play with the nice stuff!

kendra30752 said...

Hi hon,
I'm a new follower! Wow! I cannot believe how gorgeous those pictures are! Love the dogs! Adorable. :)

I actually came to your blog to thank you for the wonderful comments you left at Jessica Brant's finding one's way page on my story living this side of hell.

I wanted to thank you and let you know I have left a comment on the story telling you all how much your comments and support have meant. I hope you'll get a chance to reAD it. :) Anyways, I'm working on a blog post I've dedicated to the wonderful people like you who commented with such empowering, kind words. I will be sharing your link on the post. :)

By the way, I love your blog! I'm so glad I visited! You have some of the most beautiful, interesting works of photography here! I can't wait to read more of your posts! So well done!
Thank you so much!
-Kendra

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous post and photos, Mari! Thank you visiting my blog and for your comment! Your picture hasn't shown up with my followers, but I have joined yours and look forward to enjoying more of your work. We do indeed live in a beautiful area! And today we even have some lovely skies and sun!!! Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

emilene said...

Thank you for a lovely post Mari!

I look forward to reading your piece about lenses. At the moment I only have a 18-55mm and a 50mm fixed lense for my Canon 400D and I SO wish I could afford a 70-200mm 2.8 with image stabilizer! That would be the only other lens I would ever buy, oh, and perhaps a good macro...

As you say though, without the fancy equipment it is still very possible to take stunning pictures.

Love all yours!

www.caminosantiago2012.blogspot.com

Rimly said...

Spectacular Mari. each picture was a treat to the eye.

Kriti said...

Very encouraging Mari - on my way to Tim's blog. You are so right about the artistry bit - I don't think I would be able to capture moments like you do even if I had the most expensive gadgets.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Aaron - so very true!

JIM said...

SO very true..do you love it when someone sees your images and says " wow you must have great camera?"
lol I bet no one tells a writer wow you must have a great computer!!!



http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/05/read-all-about-it-proof-dinosaurs-in.html