Table of Contents
In this lesson, we will introduce camera types, capture types, and accessories. Have your mind thinking what kind of camera and setup is ideal for you.
Books referenced include “Photography” by Barbara London et al.
Introduction
A camera and its accessories are really just tools. Some tools are high quality and some aren’t, but they are all aides to help you translate your vision into a captured scene with photography as the medium. Vision comes from within you and it’s yours alone.
Here’s the key to enhancing your vision: Don’t use your tools without thinking. Here’s a scenario: You think you’ve gotten this amazing shot, but when you look at your LCD display or printed photographs, it doesn’t even resemble your original idea. What happened? And more importantly – how do you encourage yourself to keep shooting? Understanding some essential camera functions will give you the knowledge and confidence that you can get the shot translated from your vision.
Camera Types
Let’s start right from the beginning with a photographer’s toolbox.
There are two most commonly used types of camera for the general public. Their formats are point and shoot and a single lens reflex or SLR, for short.
A point and shoot camera does exactly what the name says. You point the camera and you shoot the picture. No focusing, therefore, what you see is not necessarily what you get. Lenses are not interchangeable. Point and shoots are also fully automatic so it doesn’t allow for creative control.
On the bright side, it’s compact (packs well!), lightweight, and it’s easy to learn and use. This type of camera is great for vacation when you don’t want to carry a bulkier camera around.
Versus
A single lens reflex (SLR) camera can be bulky, heavy (depending on your lens), longer to learn to use effectively, but the automatic and manual exposure modes allow you more creative control, you can change lenses around, what you see through the viewfinder is what you get. Also, this format is best for fine art and portrait shots.
Most important!!! While shopping for a camera, consider your budget, consider the functions and capabilities you want, and then … hold it. No, really hold the camera(s) you’re interested in your hand, like you are about to photograph with it. Does it fit in your hand? If it doesn’t fit or if it’s not comfortable, you’re not going to want to hold it.
I used to work at this great camera shop in Savannah, GA, Worldwide Camera. Tom and Pam Coffer are the owners, and I attribute my camera factoids to the two of them. They’re great people!
Anyway, it was through these two that I realized you couldn’t keep a customer happy with a camera if it didn’t fit comfortably in their hands. That’s basic. Sure, we all need to learn how to use a camera, but if you’re struggling to get a large camera gripped in your small hand or vice versa, you’re never going to enjoy using it. Go on! When it comes to cameras, hold it before you buy one.
Got your camera? Good…next part – what are you capturing them on?
Capture Types
Film versus Digital – need I say more? When I hear people speak of one or the other, they are very passionate about their beliefs in the capability of either one. Remember this, no photographer needs to be mutually exclusive. I know more wedding and event photographers that use both. Why restrict yourself to one or the other if you enjoy the benefits of both?
Film
Color negative films are made for color prints and enlargements whereas color positive films (slide film) are made for color transparencies. The advantage of color negative film is that they tolerate color correction in the printing stage and can be forgiving of exposure errors. Slide film is not forgiving of exposure error and cannot be color corrected as there is no printing stage to this.
Films also vary according to their ISO number or film speed. This number denotes the film’s sensitivity to light. The higher an ISO number, the “faster” or more responsive to light it is. For example, if you’re shooting in bright sunlight then a film speed of 100 will suffice. However, if you’re indoors or in a dimly lit situation, you’ll need a faster film like 400 or 800. Also, if you’re in a museum that says no to flash photography, a film speed of 1600 or 3200 could be used.
Do the film speeds seem like random numbers to you? Each number is equal to one stop of light. Therefore, an ISO 400 film is twice as fast as an ISO of 200 film, or one stop more sensitive. Next light stop? 800. Next after that? 1600. Random factoids, I’m full of them!
Black and white films are all negative films, so the choice comes down to speed.
Based on your experience, what types of film do you like and why? I use Kodak, Agfa, Fuji, and Ilford. Which one depends on what I’m shooting, but this is a personal preference. If you shot a lush grassy hill, a person, and the ocean with each of these color films, you’d find discrepancies with each. What works for you and your color preference can only be determined by shooting a roll of each of these and then determining what color combination works for you. Color film and its processing is basic chemistry. Find the chemistry that calls out to you.
Digital
A digital camera is a computer with a lens. It produces an image by converting the tones of a scene into numbers. The positive side is that you don’t have to buy any more rolls of film. You can take pictures, transfer this to a computer, and then reuse the same media card. You see immediate results and get immediate gratification. The down side of this is that there’s a learning curve for various software and its initial investment. As performance in technology improves, the prices come down.
Some things to look for when going digital include image resolution, memory, and basic features. One of the topics that comes up constantly with digital capture is resolution. “What’s your res?” digital photographers say when first meeting up and comparing notes.
Lens sharpness aside, resolution in a digital camera depends on the number of pixels that the image contains. At the lower end of consumer cameras, the resolution provided is 640×480 pixels which works for posting to a website, sending via e-mail or small prints (4×6). In the mid-range are the megapixel cameras (1 million pixels) that are about 1152×864 pixels and can make good prints up to 5×7. At the upper end of the chain are the two-megapixel cameras. They store 2 million pixels. How much res you buy depends on how critical you are regarding image quality and what you can afford.
Memory, not your own, but your camera’s is significant when considering how many images can be stored before you have to have the images downloaded to a computer. Digital cameras became more flexible for people with the invention of removable storage cards. It doesn’t matter which brand you buy as long as the memory cards are compatible with whatever camera you buy. Some of these cards can store a handful of images at a moderate resolution (~4 megabytes) or it could get you through a whole vacation (160 megs). More, bigger, and better are on the horizon, too.
Features in digital cameras are varied as well. LCD display screen on the back and what size is to be considered. The bigger it is, the easier it is to view the photo you’ve just shot. Capture time and download time are something to keep at the back of your mind. How long does it take the camera to capture and store the image? For working with children, unless it’s a high-end digital camera, the capture time is not quick enough for me. I’ve photographed children who’ve just discovered the joys of walking…whew! What a workout that can be!
Accoutrements (aka Accessories)
Okay…we’re moving…we’re jamming…
You now know what kind of camera and how you want to capture your vision. Simple enough, I know, but what about the accessories? There are additional tools to enhance your photo usage and your learning experience.
For example, how are you going to carry everything around? A sturdy camera bag is the answer. Find one with sections that can be configured for your equipment, as well as one that’s comfortable for you to carry. The styles are endless these days! Backpacks, shoulder bags, and the list goes on.
How are you going to know what you did? A small notebook is great to jot notes regarding creative ideas, lighting or weather conditions, different techniques used, etc. This notebook can be a great resource and learning tool.
What if you only want one multi-use lens in your arsenal? Go with a mid-range zoom lens, like a 35-135 mm. The human eye sees at ~50 mm. Less than 50 mm is considered wide angle and more than that is considered telephoto. The mid-range allows you to have the best of both worlds.
Speaking of lenses, how do you insure yours against damage? A UV filter is pennies next to what you’ve paid for a good lens. (A lens has more impact on your photographs than any other piece of equipment. Please invest wisely.) The filter will screw onto the end of the lens to protect it from scratches, the odd object flying through the air, and dust.
How to power it all? Sure, batteries, but what if your camera has a complete shutdown while shooting an amazing sunset? Backup batteries, film or memory cards are key because Murphy’s Law will go into effect. If anything can go wrong, it will.
What about low light or fast action? Faster speed film can help, but your greatest asset will be a flash unit and a tripod to hold the camera super still.
What if you drop the camera? Here’s a bit of insurance…a camera strap. Wrap it a couple of times around your wrist. Trust me, it works.
These may seem basic, but they’re the tools that will keep you and your passion for photography together.