I Want Pretty Pictures: To DSLR Or Not
- On June 22, 2011
- By Kate
- In Blogging, Photography
39
Earlier today on Twitter I was having a discussion with some fellow bloggers about what new camera they should purchase, and if it should be a DSLR, a basic point and shoot, or something in between. This lead me to think about camera purchases and blogging as whole, and I thought I might share my thoughts and advice, in case it might help others who are wondering if they should get a new camera and if so, what kind. Brace yourself, this might be a bit wordy, but I promise that it will be worth it.
But it's so pretty and shiny...I must have.
As lifestyle, personal and style bloggers, because a lot of our content is visually based, rather than text/written, we are acutely aware of the value of having high quality, well composed, and clear photos. While many of us start blogging without really thinking about what camera we own, as we continue to become a deeper part of the community, and as our blog continues to grow, we often find ourselves wondering, are my pictures good enough? This is especially true as we discover other blogs filled with gorgeous photographs, and can’t help but be a little envious and wish our photos looked the same. We wonder how they got such beautiful pictures, so we scour their blog for information about the camera that they use. After a few minutes of searching, or maybe an email or a tweet, we find out that they are using a $1,400 Nikon D7000 with a 18-105mm lens. Immediately we start thinking that we must have this camera. That if we did, our pictures would look as gorgeous as theirs and we would instantly have 5,000 readers, and that everyone would love us. Then we start scouring the internet for deals. We beg our significant others to pull the money out of our savings. Or we start skipping lunches out so that we can save the extra $10 and put it towards the “If I Don’t Buy This Camera I Just Might Die” fund. Months go by and eventually we have saved up the money so we take a quick e-trip to Amazon and stick the camera and lens in our cart, as well as an additional lens (for better range), and a tripod, and a remote timer. We click purchase and are now $2,000 poorer, but its ok, because in a week the camera will arrive and from that moment on we will have the most gorgeous crisp and clear pictures ever. And everyone will love us, and we will have 10,000 Google Followers. And all will be good.
A week later, after what seems like a decade, the camera arrives.
We rush outside and immediately start snapping photos of anything we can see. The neighbor’s trashcan that hasn’t been emptied in two weeks. A wilting flower. A stray cat. A crushed Mr. Pibb soda sitting in the middle of the driveway (hey it’s artsy!). We can barely contain our excitement as we quickly snap a few hundred photos in under 30 minutes. We then hurry inside and boot up our computer where we pull a few gigabytes worth of amazing awesome photos off of our new pride and joy. We start to scroll through one by one. First the 20 pictures of the trashcan, then 30 or so of that flower…As we progress through each one our hearts start to sink. Why is this one slightly blurry? And why does the flower look blue in this picture when I know it was purple? And holy crap, look at that lens flare. We finally reach the end of all the photos and out of 250 photos, only 10 came out exactly how you wanted them. We are crushed. We’ll never have beautiful photos. We’ll never get 15,000 Google Readers. No one will ever love us. We should just give up blogging now.
So many lenses! And buttons! And menus! Oh my!
Now, let me tell you the cold hard truth, something someone should have told you before you dropped $2,000 on that camera you just had to have, otherwise you just might die. Just because you have a camera that costs more than your car does not mean you will have absolutely perfect pictures. There, I said it. Now go ahead, disagree with me. How dare you try to tell me a camera that costs $1,500 doesn’t take better pictures than my cheap $150 point and shoot? Now hey there, I didn’t say that. Read what I wrote again. Just because you have a camera that costs more than your car does not mean you will have absolutely perfect pictures. That $1,500 camera you have there? Of course it can take better pictures than that cheap point and shoot! But cameras don’t take pictures by themselves, someone takes the pictures using the camera, and that is what makes all the difference.
Gone are the days of a simple 35mm camera where you just load the film, point at a subject, and press a button. Even your basic point and shoot now has at least half a dozen different controls and menu that could confuse even Stephen Hawking. Learning to use a digital camera can take time (anyone who has ever tried to teach a less technologically inclined older parent, or grandparent, or friend can attest to this). For many of us, even after a year or two of using our faithful $200 point and shoot, we are only taking advantage of maybe 35% of its potential. Did you know that many point and shoot cameras have multiple preset modes for different picture taking environments? Low light, fireworks, high speed sports, starry skies, portraits, dusk, indoor and outdoor parties. And that is just a small sample of all that is out there. Furthermore, many modern point and shoots (say within the last two years) have a full manual mode, where you can adjust the aperture size, shutter speed, exposure, ISO, white balance, and more…just like on a DSLR. The only thing you can’t do? That fun little twisting of the giant lens.
Ok, so you already know that your little Canon Powershot can do all that, but you still are wanting a DSLR anyways. Then let me ask you this. Are you willing to make the effort and take the necessary time to learn how to use the camera? DSLRs are not an easy thing to learn to use, especially for a novice photographer. Those confusing and overwhelming menus on your point and shoot? They are twice as confusing and ten times as overwhelming on a DSLR. And how about the concepts of all those strange sounding terms I mentioned above. Aperture size? Shutter speed? ISO? Yes, when you look at a picture you can see that it is too blurry, or maybe too grainy, or too dark, or too bright, but do you know how to correct all these things. These are all factors that you need to consider when deciding whether to go DSLR or not. If you are willing to take all the time to learn this, then by all means, throw that DSLR in your Amazon cart and click purchase (be sure to add a beginner’s guide to DSLRs too). But understand now, it is going to take time.
Canon or Nikon? Which do I choose?
So you decide to get that DSLR, and you spend a month reading all the guides you can get your hands on, and soon you know exactly what ISO to use, and what aperture size is optimal for shooting on a perfectly cloudless sunny day. Well here is an interesting fact for you. You will still take a majority of your pictures on the automatic setting. Why? Because it is easier. Because sometimes you are in a rush and don’t have the time to spend 10 minutes figuring out which settings are optimal for the day’s overcast skies and setting sun. And because sometimes it might just be you taking that picture, and trying to set the proper settings without a live subject can be, well..a pain in the bottom. And because sometimes, you only have 5 minutes on your lunch break to get the photos taken.
So what is my point in this ridiculously long post? Because from what I have read it sounds an awful lot like you are telling me there is no point in getting a DSLR. Absolutely not the case. What I am saying is that you need to put thought into the decision. And not just 5 minutes of hemming and hawing. You need to spend a few weeks, a month, a few months thinking about it. You need to weigh the pros versus cons. You need to think about the cost and long term financial investment. You need to figure out if you are willing to put in the time and effort into learning how to properly use one. You need to go into an electronic store and spend an afternoon playing with all the different cameras available. You need to ask your friends and family what they think. Only then can you make a proper and well informed decision. Whatever you do, do not buy a DSLR just because a blogger you admire (and/or envy) has one. That style blogger who has the most crisp and clear and beautiful pictures you have ever seen? There is a good chance that her pictures are taken by a significant other who is a professional photographer. Or that one lifestyle blogger who has the most amazing photos of her daily life? It is likely that she has been using her DSLR for years and has spent a lot of time learning what works through trial and error. And let’s not forget the power of a photo editing program. Those perfectly vintage tinted photographs on your favorite vintage style blog? They were probably taken with a high end point and shoot and then run through a photo editing program where a half a dozen different actions were applied to get them to look as they do.
Bottom line is this. I have seen some absolutely stunning photographs that were taken with a $140 point and shoot. And I have seen some absolutely appalling pictures taken with a $2,000 DSLR. The camera can only go so far in making a photograph look good. The rest is up the photographer.
Stay tuned in the upcoming days for a follow up post regarding which cameras I recommend, particularly for more novice and mid-level photographers who do not have a large amount of time or money for a DSLR.
jahn
great post!! I agree with you
sunshine monica
Hey Kate! this is a great and very honest post. I’ve spoken to other bloggers about this and come to realize that it’s not about the camera… (mostly) it’s about learning how to frame a photo and how to use post processing software to tweak it. I’ve seen some awesome photos come from even a cell phone, film camera, point and shoot… when I went to France I was using a 3 mp point and shoot from the early generation of point and shoots. And well, those are some of my most favorite photos!
anyways, thanks for the post! it was well written
xo,
sunshine
Robin
My husband just gave me a Nikon D3100 as an early Birthday present after a rough night at work (My bday isn’t until July 15th), and I love it! I had been thinking about a DSLR for about 3 years, but I could never bring myself to actually buy it so he bought it for me.
Jamie Rose
Such a great post as I’m looking to buy a new camera within a year or so. I’m not completely sure what to go for, but I want something more complex and powerful than what I have. I was thinking DSLR, but I probably won’t have the money. I totally agree that it’s 1/2 the camera and 1/2 the photographer that creates a great picture. Thanks for the insight on this matter!
Francesca
This put into words the reasons I’ve been hesitating to buy a DSLR for the past 2-3 years. Since I started my blog a month and a half ago, my desire for one has only increased, since my pictures are taken with either my 8 year old digital pentax (which I used to think took great pictures) or my android phone. This post helped me realize buying a new camera isn’t just a monetary investment but a time investment as well. Thanks!
Christie
Spot on. A good camera will only get you so far. It’s who’s behind the lens that makes the difference. And I’ve taken some pretty awesome pictures with my iPhone and some equally terrible ones (specifically self-portraits) with my DSLR. I simply cannot master the art of the self-portrait, but I’m going to keep trying!
Sophi
Great post, Kate! As a long-time user of film DSLRs and frequent borrower of whatever DSLR I can get my hands on, I really have my sights set on one. I think for most people, though, a great point and shoot with manual control is probably the way to go. From my perspective, the camera is much less about the blog than it is about wanting to be able to take the kind of photos I want to take in my life more generally. Since I have a strong background in photography, it positively vexes me to not have the kind of lens control and just more generally the SLR aesthetic that a DSLR would afford. All of that said, I’m buying myself a used DSLR with a normal lens and capping it at $600.
yaga
I was at exactly the point you described. I was desperate to pimp my blog and thought it couldn’t be without a ‘good’ camera. i was willing to learn, for my blog’s sake. I tried my bf’s camera but found it really boring. then i went on a trip without the big camera and forgot the charger for my point and shoot. that’s how I found out that my phone camera is actually about as good as a small digital one (if you take care of the lighting) and that I had much more fun playing with picnik and GIMP than with aperture, WB etc on a big camera.
I am now taking much more care of where and how to take pictures and then spend the time saved editing them properly. Thats a much better solution for me.
I can’t find the link but there’s a guy out there who does really great artsy pictures just with his iphone camera.
xxx
yaga
MONKEYFACE
Hi Kate, your blog is absolutely beautiful and I LOVED this post! Read the whole thing, because I am currently battling with myself to NOT upgrade to a new wide-angle zoom lens and flash gun for my camera until I learn how to maximize the tools I’ve already got. AMEN to the fancy camera a beautiful picture doth not make. I have spent almost a year with my ebayed entry-level, way-old DSLR and still know I can get better pics from it if I spend more time learning. And I will! Thanks for the inspiration boost that I needed!
LittleRus
Brilliant post! As somebody who does have both DSLR and “regular camera”, I cannot agree more with what you said here. The picture can be beautiful if one has talent for taking that picture, but then if you do have talent, then you can create a masterpiece with a camera on your mobile phone.
On the other hand, it’s great to have a professional camera if there’s such a chance because it can be totally inspiring to learn more about photography and discover things about yourself you didn’t think of.
xxx
Becca
This has been my inner debate for a while now and I am so dang happy to have found a post that sums everything up as well as this one does. I love my camera a little bit more now.
MJ
I love your honesty in this post. This can for cameras, clothes, shoes, templates, self hosting, etc. At the end of the day, you have to decide what the vision for your blog is. If you want to be a professional blogger/writer, then it makes sense to invest in a camera as well as learn how to use it. If it’s just a hobby for you, then it may not make sense to spend all that money on a camera.
Excellent post!
Alecto
I got all of my cameras secondhand! I refused to spend that much money on a toy. Plus I’ve always been interested in photography (not just for a blog/website) so there was some determination mixed with my bargain shopping. But I completely agree with your entire article(and I really like the way you write). Thanks for this!
Kara
You make some excellent points here. When I was deciding on buying my DSLR, I knew it was going to be a lot of work to learn how to properly use it (and I’m still learning). I did notice on some blogs that even if someone had an expensive camera, that didn’t necessarily mean they had better photos. Just things I’ve noticed, but never read anywhere until now. Thanks for writing this- it will help a lot of people in their decision making process!
Ria
Such a wonderful, wonderful post! I took Media Studies for A Level and we were lucky enough that our college lent us DSLR’s to take shots for projects, and I remember that being tricky! There’s so many settings and you’re right, if you’ve got the time to study and learn about them all go ahead and invest.
I currently use a very old Pentax Optio 6Mpx camera and it’s easy enough (when using the right settings) to get just as good shots as a DSLR. What I want to invest in is more megapixels, but again easily achievable with a point and shoot.
Great post again! Am now following your blog
xoxo
Angela
Thanks so much for this post. Just this morning I was lamenting my lack of fancy camera and thinking, oh if only I had a big fancy DSLR! Now I realise that I should first learn how to use all the different settings on my dear little point and shoot. Maybe once I’ve put time into learning a bit more and developing my photo taking skills, then I can consider upgrading.
meghan @ out of order
wonderful information, I can’t wait to read more!
<3Meghan
P.S. *Stumbled*
Alterations Needed
Sing it sistah! As a blogger who also has a soft spot for photography, I gave myself the green light to get an entry level DSLR after about a year of blogging. I figured it would help my blog, and I could learn photography which was always an interest of mine anyways. The first few months were euphoric! Nice, crisp photos…yay! Then I started comparing my photos to better and better blog photos and now I’m obsessed. I can spend hours in Photoshop tweaking skintones and saturation, and I’m still never satisfied. Now I’m convinced a Canon 5D Mark II is the answer to all my woes…but it’s not…it’s me. And I need to chill out and get over it! Great post, and so very true.
Alexis of NorthOnHarper
This is amazing advice.
I have been researching DSLRs for about 3 mnths now. And I will get one. But I am doing it knowing there is a learning curve. I am okay with that. But I didn’t reach the decision lightly.
FASHION TALES
I love this brilliant post. Wow, I’ve been debating whether or not to get a DSLR, trying to figure out if I’d take the plunge – learning more about it though I think I will probably get one in the near future. I’m due for an updgrade. This is definitely a bookmarking post. Thank you. *looking forward to your upcoming post, especially for people like me who don’t have a large amount of time.
Castle Fashion
[Slowly stands up and applauds]
This SO needed to be said. I’ve seen so many fashion bloggers go in extreme directions; from cell phone pictures (which I always disapprove of) to high quality hell. Even after you get a DSLR….there’s still the issue of who’s going to take your pictures? Where are you going to shoot? Do you have enough good outfits to sustain a blog? Can you make new purchases every week? There’s so much that goes into becoming successful. One thing that really bugs me is seeing bloggers that expect it to happen overnight -_______- Let’s be real. Anyway, THANK YOU for posting this. I will definitely link in one of my upcoming posts.
Yasmeen
Sorcha
This is such a great post. I’ve been suffering with much the same DSLR envy that you talk about here.
Really, I think the biggest problem I have wouldn’t be solved by a shiny new camera. A lot of bloggers pictures look amazing because they take them in amazing backdrops and locations… for me, I’m just too shy (at least now) to cart my tripod out into the world and let people watch me take pictures of myself!
Metsy
Thank you for this post! I’m a new blogger and have been having this struggle – want nice camera but no $ to get one. After sitting on several posts because the pix were not perfect, I’m going to use my iPhone until I can get a better camera. Hopefully people will forgive the photo quality for now.
Anika
Thank you so much for this post! I use my cell for pics, because that is what I have got, and I feel better about it now. As you point out, there are different ways of defining quality in terms of pics for us fashion/personal bloggers, is it clear? Does it convey something? I want my pics to touch the reader, to have some soul. I am sharing on twitter asap lovely.
Fashionistable
Great advice, hope people are listening. I always advise anyone who is about to splash out to go for the best lens they can afford and a cheaper body. After that it is truly the person who makes the picture, very well said. I would say it is better to practice and get your eye in by having fun with a point and shoot first before you splash out at all. Xxxx
Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys
There’s definitely nothing to disagree with here! My significant other (who is not pro but is damn good, I must say) and I have three cameras of completely different complexity/price ranges. The DSLR undoubtedly can take better pictures, but it certainly doesn’t always, and I would certainly challenge my readers on a few posts to tell which of the cameras were used. Good, down to earth thoughts. : )
Fashionistable
Was thing more about this overnight and here is a great example – I have seen this guy at work and he does not use a DSLR http://facehunter.blogspot.com/ Xxxx
Fashionistable
Ooops I meant thinking…..
Style Chic 360
This was such a great post. I just recently bought a new camera after my point and shoot died. I did not want nor was I willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a new camera.
I ended up purchasing the GE X500. I think it will be an awesome camera. I haven’t had it for a week but I’ve read the manual and I’m trying to become accustome to the features of it!
I have to say I’m in love with it so far anyone looking for a bridge camera with 16 megapixels and 15 X zoom should check it out. And for less than $130 I think it was a steal.
I just debuted it on my blog and I’m so excited about me camera!!!
Great post!!!
westwood
tend to think that unless photography is your hobby, or you are photoblogging, it is really not worth the investment.
Corinne
Thank you for this post!!! I was just at this exact do-I-don’t-I moment in my life
Corinne xo
Lynsey Michelle
Great post. I went through this on my site. After getting the DSLR I wanted, I have invested an inordinate amount of time and money taking photography classes, working with professional photographers and trying out bumbling around photoshop just to get a semblance of what I was looking for. And it’s still hard. Especially when I am now the one instructing my husband as to how to take them from the other side of the lense. I now have a new (unintentional) hobby – photography. While I love it, I agree with you. If you are not willing to put in the time, the camera is not worth the money.
Lynsey Michelle
——————————————–
LAW OF FASHION
http://www.law-of-fashion.com
twitter.com/lawoffashion
Jamillah
I LOVE THIS POST! Yes, I totally get camera envy b/c I have my ex-boyfriend’s cannon powershot and use tupperware in my kitchen for a tripod. And I have had the moment when I feel my blog is less because I don’t have a fancy camera to take beautiful crisp images or the will to go into photoshop and make them stellar. I mean props to anyone who does and does these things well, but for me outfit posts and my lifestyle images are a small part of my blog and unless I get a huge windfall of disposable income I don’t find it super important for me to invest so much in a camera and thank you for making me feel I’m not crazytown for not having a dslr.
I love your point that just because you bought a $2000 camera doesn’t mean your images will be gorgeous. It takes skill and practice and I think some people assume that a dslr and the are some kind of magical wand, it’s not.
Fashnlvr
I struggled with this subject shortly after starting my blog. I have an in-between camera with a TON of settings and controls but not a DSLR. I cringe at the idea of spending over $1000 on a camera for my silly little fashion blog hobby. So I decided to learn to take better photos. Mine has a self-timer but no remote – which was killing me at first. Now I have worked on framing the photo, setting the timer and getting into position before the timer ends. So far so good. I couldn’t sell my photos to Vogue but I think they display my outfits well enough. It is more important to take clear photos than fancy ones.
Diana
Hi Kate. I subscribe to your blog and really enjoy it. I wanted to let you know that I appreciated this post very much and even referenced and linked it in one of my own posts today.
http://parisinspring98.blogspot.com/2011/07/11-things-july-update.html
Thanks for the good advice!
Diana
Naina
Oh I couldn’t agree more! When people ask what camera I used to take travel photos and I tell them it’s just a normal Canon point & shoot they look at me like I’m crazy … but it’s so handy and clever and takes SUCH amazing photos! The DLSR shouldn’t be put on a pedestal when the P&S is pretty cool in its own right
SIDEWALKCATWALKS.blogspot.com
Sofia
Great article. I absolutely agree with you. Thank you for making us think about that. Best,
SofÃa
http://www.thecoolture.com
Ana
This is a really good post, you bring up a lot of fantastic points. I saved up for 2 years before buying myself a Nikon D7000 and I LOVE it. But I use it for my Etsy shop along with blogging, so it was part business investment for me. I also endless harass my family by taking a bazillion photos. I don’t think I could ever buy a camera just for style blogging.
MARSHA
Wow everything you wrote I went through ( well not the buying part) but I was searching the internet wasting precious time trying to find a used dslr, I just decided to just go along with my Nikon S6000, which is great, But I believe I want my photos to be like the other fashion bloggers pictures. But thank you for writing this, I’ll take my stylish camera around and use it with pride! When I see the money to buy a dslr maybe I will in the FFFFFFFFFFFFFAAAAARRRRR future.