Camera marketing has led us all to jump to the initial conclusion that all we have to do is buy the latest and greatest camera and we’ll become better photographers taking better photos. As amazing as the new crop of digital cameras are, it just doesn’t work that way. (But it does sell lots of cameras.)

Why? Because PEOPLE take photos. And the camera is just a small but necessary part of the process.

Good photos are a combination of good composition, knowing how to use light, good technique in using the capabilities of the camera, and often skilled post processing of the digital image data to produce the image that communicates what you wanted it to.

• No camera can do composition for you. Good composition is the result of learning rules of what’s pleasing and attractive to the eyes, studying the art of great painters and photographers, and lots of experience in trying to make good compositions.
• Likewise, no camera knows how to handle lighting. Taking a photograph is at its essence capturing the light, whether it’s available light or augmented by flash or other means. Understanding light, and knowing how to use it to make a good image is a skill that has to be developed by the photographer.
• Most modern digital cameras can do a pretty good job of setting the camera parameters automatically for you, either using the auto, program, or one of the mode functions. And generally, the more you pay for the camera, the better the computer in the camera is at doing this. But, none of them come close to doing it as well as a knowledgeable photographer.
• In a similar vein, the computers in most modern digital cameras do a pretty good job of processing the data to produce an image, usually a jpeg file. They even allow you to make some selections as to how that image is developed in camera. And generally, the more you pay for the camera, the better the computer in the camera is at doing this. But none of them can “develop” the image as well as a knowledgable person who takes the RAW file and makes decisions on how the image is developed or processed based on the characteristics of and goal for the individual image.

So you want better photos? You’d be well served by investing some time learning the fundamentals of composition and using light, and shoot a lot of photos with whatever camera you have concentrating on applying what you’ve learned. You’ll be amazed at the improvement you (and others) see.

Then to kick it up a notch, learn how to use the capabilities of your camera to their maximum, and learn how to manipulate the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO on your camera to achieve the effects you want to achieve in your compositions yourself. You may be surprised at how much capability your existing camera actually has. And yes, it may push you toward buying a better camera, but if so, it will be because you know you need it to be able to photograph the way you want to be able to.

And finally, move into post processing the images you capture. You can actually learn about and do a lot of this inexpensively on an iPhone, iPad or computer before investing in more serious software such as Lightroom or Aperture or Photoshop.

So where would you go to learn this kind of stuff? There’s an amazing amount of instruction both as articles and videos available on the web. And much of it is free. Plus there are more books on photography than any of us will ever be able to read, and many of them are very easy to understand and give big bang for the buck (such as Scott Kelby’s books).

I know, I know. You still just want to know what camera to buy. Not much I’d rather do than talk about than the gear, so I’d be happy to talk cameras with you. But just to keep my conscience clear, I may have to remind you that the only way you can buy good photographs is from a good photographer. Or learn to be a good photographer yourself.

I don’t know what Missy dog is thinking.

I know that I assume this pose or one like it from time to time. Staring. Off into the distance. My mind locked in deep thought.

Sometimes Eloise will glance over and ask, “Where did you go?”

Not that it’s a bad thing. Sometimes, when our brain is processing what we’ve experienced or what we’re facing, everything else slows to a stop. While it appears that we’re looking off into the distance, in fact we’re looking deeply inside, often visualizing as a way of processing.

Since I was out in the yard with the camera, I’m suspicious that Missy was visualizing a house without devices, without iPhones and iPads and laptops that make weird sounds and distract me from paying full attention to her. Devices that she is, in fact, afraid of.

Of course, she doesn’t know that such a time existed. And that it wasn’t very long ago. And that there was no way to write a blog post like this with a digital photo. Or post it to Facebook and Twitter. I’m about to assume the Missy dog pose just thinking about how much things have changed…

 And I’m aware that they’re pointing to Sunday and to the resurrection.

Take blowing bubbles. It’s really not as easy as it seems. It takes concentration and effort. There are lots of mechanics to get down. At least when you’re only three.

Watching Madi learn to blow bubbles, I recognize there are things I’m still having to learn to do. Many of them are not easy, and require concentration and effort too.

I hope as I see others working to learn new things I’ll remember that oftentimes it’s hard.

The birds were pretty sparse Tuesday, but I got some fun shots. And there was a big gator out sunning. Mostly though, it was quiet, which is what I needed most, Tuesday.

Photos were all taken with the Nikon V1 coupled with the Nikon 70-200 VRII with a 2x adapter, so several of the shots here were at over 1000mm full frame equivalent, about 20x. I could neither afford nor carry that kind of magnification for a full frame camera, but this rig worked pretty well!

American Kestrel Points the Way

A Ruckus Across Teal Pond

A Bird in the Bush

Soundhill Crane Standing Guard

Getting a Little Sun

]]> http://jameswhughes.com/2012/02/22/quiet-time-with-long-glass-at-brazoria-national-wildlife-refuge/feed/ 0 http://jameswhughes.com/2012/02/17/fun-with-make-up/ http://jameswhughes.com/2012/02/17/fun-with-make-up/#comments Sat, 18 Feb 2012 02:01:40 +0000 Jim Hughes http://jameswhughes.com/?p=1356 Nana/Honey bought Madi a play makeup kit, and she and Ben had a great time trying it out. Here are a few photos showing the action, including licking the lip gloss off her lips.

Photo Note: Nikon V1, 35 mm f1.8, FT1 adapter

Photo Notes: Nikon V1, Nikon 35mm f/1.8 with FT1 adapter

This shot features Ben working in mixed media: Crayola brushes and stick on eyes. I want to learn again not to be so influenced by others’ opinions of what’s realistic or correct, and find the joy of creating in ways that are just plain fun.