I sometimes wonder what it is about digital cameras that make some new photographers believe in magic?
Maybe that’s not exactly right, but when photographers approach me with troubled questions about why some aspect of their photography isn’t working, I do wonder just what they expect.
Recently a fellow brought his new digital camera to show me and asked me why the labs were making better pictures then he was with his personal home printer.
He wondered if there might be a problem with how his camera connected to his computer? Could it be his computer programs, or maybe was it because the printer wasn’t very good?
I asked him if he had calibrated his monitor, and profiled his printer to the paper type he was using. He wasn’t sure what I meant and answered, “no” to both. He was sure all his equipment should know what he wanted the print to look like, just like magic.
I remember a photographer I met last summer, admired the lens I was using and said, “I think I need to get a better lens”. He said he couldn’t focus very fast, and sometimes when he pushed the shutter it took a long time before the camera took a picture, and thought that it must be a lens problem.
When I looked over at the lens he had mounted on his camera I noticed it was a newer model, while mine is over ten years old. I asked him if he was using his camera on it’s basic Program Mode, even though I already knew he would say yes. I guess he, like the photographer that was unhappy with his home printing, thought his equipment should magically know how he wanted his photograph to be.
Computers must be told what to do whether on one’s desk or in a camera.
Home computers are set up by the manufacturer to print one of the papers they sell and the computer screen doesn’t have any way of understanding colour unless it’s programmed, and that’s why there are controls for light, dark, contrast and equipment made to calibrate home monitors.
I have written about camera modes before. I like Shutter Priority mode when photographing fast moving subjects like rodeos.
I might select a 1/500th of a second shutterspeed that is capable of stopping fast movement and leave the aperture selection to the camera.
For scenics I might choose Aperture Priority where I select the aperture and leave the shutterspeeed to the camera.
When I want to control depth of field; a wider aperture means less depth of focus and a small aperture gives me more. When I am photographing people I use Manual Mode. I also prefer Manual if lighting conditions are very bright or when the light is fading. Manual gives me complete control over both the shutter and the aperture.
Cameras also give a point and shoot option, or Program Mode. I do use that mode at parties or Christmas in small, bright rooms when I am using the camera’s popup flash. I would never use Program for anything serious. I certainly would never use a mode as unpredictable as Program for sports or a scenic.
Cameras have had auto or program features added for years. However, when I used to teach college I required students to turn their camera to manual exposure for all assignments.
New photographers (that believe in magic), usually select Program Mode and when their pictures aren’t like they imagined they start blaming equipment malfunction, instead of themselves.
Equipment, of course, should be state of the art if a photographer requires high quality. I don’t think brands, or operating systems, matter much as long as they are used properly. However, magic shouldn’t be part of the equation.
Purchasing what some experts says “is the best” will only be successful if education on how it works comes next.
Photographers need to take some time and learn how the cameras, computers, and printers they purchase work, then do some research on how to set their systems up, and hopefully make some time to take a class.
When I talk to serious photographers they usually tell me they read, discuss, and attend workshops.
Most Professionals are always second-guessing their equipment, relying first on knowledge gained from study and second on their cameras and computers.
However, when I ask new photographers if they read their camera manuals, or any books on the photography they like to do, or if they plan on taking a class they usually say, “no”. And I expect that is because they believe in magic.
These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net. Stop by Enman’s Camera at 423 Tranquille Road in Kamloops. I sell an interesting selection of used photographic equipment.
Don’t hesitate to call me at 250-371-3069.
