I’m going to try to say this without sounding like I’m bragging, and I hope you’ll understand why I’m saying this when you reach the end of this blog post.
*deep breath*
I’ve had quite a few people approach me about becoming a professional photographer.
Did that sound totally braggy and pompous?
Honestly? It’s really weird to me, because I feel like I’m just now hitting a groove with my photography. I feel like I’m just now getting a good feel of composition and processing. I just recently started shooting in manual mode. I still shoot in aperture-priority mode a lot. I still come home and trash 90% of the photos I took on any given day.
The number one question I get is – what kind of camera do you use? And while this is a valid question, it doesn’t really explain the pictures that you see.
I’ve been using the same camera (or form of it) since 2005 … an Olympus Evolt. I started with the E-300 and recently upgraded to the E-520. It’s a great camera, and I know every little detail about it.
I also have 2 lenses besides the kit lens [14-45mm] :: a 50mm f/2.0 and a 40-150mm. The 50mm pretty much stays on my camera 24/7. I break out the 40-150mm when we’re traveling or visiting scenic places. And the kit lens still gets some action sometimes.
But it’s not JUST the camera that takes great pictures. Case in point? I will not start a photography business with it. There are so many things about it that just don’t compare to other cameras I’ve been eyeing. Anytime I go over 200 ISO, I have noise. That’s just not cool. The available lenses for the Olympus do not have the types of aperture I like to shoot (wide open, larger than 2.0) and the ones that I would need to start a professional photography business are very expensive.
But … an expensive camera doesn’t always mean great photos.
Honest confession, I rarely (if ever) post pictures straight out of the camera. There are some that I tweak just a little in brightness and contrast, but most of my images include cropping and then manipulation in either Lightroom or Photoshop Elements 5.0 or both.
So here to prove it, here are some of my recent shots … straight out of the camera and then edited.
sooc
after
sooc
after
sooc
after
sooc
after
Also? I take a gajillion pictures each time I hold my camera in my hands. I rarely (if ever!!) get it just right the first time.
So there are a whole lot of things that go into taking photographs. I know many people who can whip out an amazing photo straight out of the camera, and I wish I could get it just right. But for the 98% of the time that I don’t, I’m thankful for processing.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Can I tell you HOW MUCH I hate when people ask what kind of camera you use and then make comments saying that they could take great photos if they had nicer equipment. So insulting. And annoying.
I think you rock, so much. YOU ARE SO TALENTED. You have the eye, creativity, and the genius needed to succeed in the business.
Don’t underestimate your skills. You have a wonderful eye for composition, and even if you edit your photos, there’s a lot to be said for your eye for editing. You’ve got a great sense for color, lighting, and mood. It’s one thing to take a nice photo – it’s another to see its potential.
What I love most about your photography is how evocative it is. A lot of (yes, even professional) photographers can take technically flawless, wonderful photos that are beautiful in a way, but are missing that extra sense of connection with the subject. You connect very well with your subjects and make us, your audience, respond to that connection. It’s that quality which I think takes you from mere photographer to artist. As a photographer, you can always learn and grow and gain more skills. But the artistry is something that I think is probably innate in you.
Can I just say I am so glad your camera doesn’t have a Canon or Rebel in the title?!?! I love your eye for photography!
You know what looks beautiful and you know how to create that. I am in awe, and I don’t just say that because I adore you, even though I do.
That was a wonderfully honest post – loved reading it.
Mariah – there is nothing wrong w. a camera with a Canon or a Rebel in the title. Just my opinion. :)
I don’t think it has anything to do with the camera and everything to do with the photographer. I’ve gotten some amazing shots on my daughters $100 camera.
Just like with a great story, it doesn’t matter what pen you wrote it with…
keli…i LOVE your photgraphy, you know that! ;)
it’s not about the camera to make good pictures. it’s not even the good/better/whatever equipment that make the better pictures.
it’s YOU and your EYE that sees the beauty in the moment /object!
and YOU got this “kind of EYE” that goes straight to my heart!
xo…
nic
I think the sooc pictures are awesome! I think you do great photos and its ok to brag sometimes, you got a good reason to, you did really well!
You are amazing. Honest and truthful. Your photographs are incredible because of your vision. Your creativity and the style that is all your own. THAT is what makes you awesome and worth watching. Not the type of camera you have or even your SOOC shots. Because your creations have that magic ingredient that cannot be taught.
I love your honesty. I had the request to go pro while I was still learning. I am still learning and don’t ever think I’ll stop learning. Nor should we when we really find we are passionate about something. Scientists never do. :) And when I say I was still learning, meaning I may have just turned Manual for about 7 months… LOL!
And like you, I delete a lot of photos. They just don’t turn out or look the way I wanted them too, or the lighting is WAY wrong, or the composition is WAY off. And the more I shoot the Less off I am, but I don’t think I am anywhere near getting a perfect SOOC. :)
And I love that you get the beautiful images you do from a non-Canon or non-Nikon…. That just goes to show you it doesn’t matter what camera you use, it’s all in the artist behind it.
And as for the record, there is nothing wrong with a Canon Rebel. Some of us just work well with what we got. :)
Honesty! I love it! I always say I am on the journey from amateur to advanced amateur because while I am pretty good with my camera, I am not really doing it for the money. Even when I get paid, it still was just too much fun to me, to consider it a profession :)
Well, even if your photos aren’t perfect sooc – you have a gift for putting a photo together and quite a nack with processing… they are fabulous!
The camera questions is starting to kill me! When I wasn’t good at taking a compliment, I’d say “I’ve got a good camera & cute kids.” But then I started really playing with the camera, Photoshop, & taking ALOT of pictures. And the camera question now irritates me to no end. Ask my husband to take a picture & it looks like crap. And it’s the same camera. I stopped thanking my kids & camera, when a Photo major said, “No. Some people can take a picture & some can’t”. I still give credit to the camera, but I think it’s because I still feel like I really don’t know what I’m doing. Oh well. It’s captured & that’s what counts.
Your talent for producing gorgeous photos is amazing. Does it really matter what kind of camera you’re using?
Composition is about 90% of the battle, I think! I wish I had better composition skills! In terms of the post-processing, it all has to do with what you want the picture to look like. Your sooc of your Little Miss Muffet is gorgeous! But your vision created the second shot-cool! Stick with your photography, enjoy it, don’t feel pressured. But don’t hesitate to take on some “assignments” every now and then, because you’re awesome!
you are so humble.
I got the best vibe from this. you are just so sweet about the way you explain things. And while I love your sooc shots, I know what you mean, I lean on my post processing a lot. I try to get the main things like light (since i can’t recover lost details with my only jpeg files) and composition. I figure that’s okay, since I am still learning ;)
You made me feel a lot better. I know it sounds, cheesy but I really look up to you. In the sense that I admire your photography and the way you approach each photo. I think it’s magical.
PS
I love the flower and the little miss muffet, good stuff!
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