“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph. – Matt Hardy
Does it matter the brand and model of the DSLR you used to snap a stunning photo? Does owning the best of the best really makes a difference? There is always this misconception that by owning the most complex, hefty, expensive DSLR, your photos will turn out like the pros. Don’t fall into this trap, pals! Before you invest into a high-end DSLR, ask yourself: Will I be using all these features? Is 1080p shooting really important? Do I really need 24MP?
If you are an amateur, get a semi-DSLR and learn the basics first. Familiarize yourself with the Shutter Speed, Aperture, Manual and Program modes. Don’t rush into getting unnecessary accessories and DSLR lens. You might find out that you don’t actually need them all. I bought a tripod a few years back and now, I felt it was an impulsive decision. The tripod is still in good care, unscathed but it has not seen a day of sunlight since the day it lands on my doorstep.
Being at the right place at the right time, with a little spin of luck, sometimes you will capture the best shots even with a 5MP gadget, namely the iPhone. There are a few particular nifty users in Instagram, the famous app bought over by Facebook just months ago who capture amazing shots of landscapes and natures alike. Coupled with the right amount of effect, the photo is just as good as one taken on an expensive camera.
When it comes to landscapes and urban photography, we altered the exposure, hue, saturation and a pinch of effects to rejuvenate the shots. Vintage, black and white, tilt-shift as well as lomo are some of the more common filters photographers used to add some spice into their photos. I, for one love to experiment with different effects and saturation though there are times when I couldn’t make up my mind which is the best filter for my photo.
A
B
C
D
As you can see above, Photo A, B, C, and D are the same stills taken from the same angle, same time and the same Olympus E-PL1. But a little tweaking turns it into an extraordinary piece that generates different aura and flavour. It brings out the deep details of the sky, the peaceful river, the calm boats, the serene greeneries as well as some tiny bits of magic (Photo A and D).
The point is, don’t be quick to judge that a semi-DSLR is not as good as an expensive one. The price tag plays no importance to the beauty of the photos you take. It is by practice and experience that produce the best shots. Oh, and don’t forget a little pinch of filters (and luck) too!
