charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Was watching TV last night and just happen to stop surfing on a shopping channel that was selling a brand name DSLR. Decided to listen for a few minutes and wish I hadn"t. In summary they said; you can put the camera on Auto or one of the special settings (portrait, landscapes, etc.) and take great photogrpahs. That's all there is to it. They then showed some really good photographs and told the audience that they were taken by someone with no camera experience and that you too could do the same. One spokesman did say briefly that the camera could be set to manual just in case someone "else" in the family was familiar with that type of camera. But then went on to say basically that it didn't matter, with this camera you can't go wrong and will be taking great photographs in just a few days. At that point I had had enough and resumed surfing. Problem for me is that there is some truth in what they said. The quality of today's cameras in picture taking ability is fantastic. And the level of knowlege and experience necessary to take good photographs is, lets be polite and just say not very much. If a person has a naturally good eye for composition then the camera can do the rest. Must admit that this makes me mad. As an elderly curmedgeon I do resent that after all the years I spent learning and practicing, beginning with 35mm film, folks can, without any understanding of what the S, AV, and M camera settings do, consistently take very good photographs. What further makes me mad is how many don't really care to learn or who want the information spoon fed to them. I know, get over it, this is the digital age and learn to live with it. I will, but not without a fight. Also know it is a losing battle.

Happyclicker Loc: West Mids, UK

The power of advertising - making money is their main aim. If like you taking photograhps is a challenge and a delight then the rest of the world can go fish.....lol.
Some people will always want it cheaper, quicker, easier - others like us will never give in without a fight......bring it on

pinkycat Loc: The Garden State

I agree with your sentiments. As one who is just starting out, let me assure you that there are still those of us who are serious about learning the art and technique of photography. I guess it's like someone who decides to make an apple pie with pre-made crust and canned filling as opposed to someone who makes the whole thing from scratch. :thumbup:

jaddottart Loc: Florida

Your time was not wasted,you enjoyed real photography all those years and I bet the comradeship of a lot of other people with the same interest's.I have made many friends over the years and would not trade them for anything.Keep your eyes open and lens clean,and most of all Enjoy............

EstherP

Yes, all-automatic digital cameras have spoiled a lot of people. But all they have learned is to push the shutter button. They cannot tell you why a picture is a good one or a bad one, and therefore have no idea how a picture could be improved or even IF it could be improved.

Challenge: Find someone who only knows how to use his/her dSLR on fully automatic, then both of you take photos of the same subjects. Then go to your computer and compare them side-by-side.
(I'll be going for a photo-date with my son this summer, he's one of those on-click-photographers).

EstherP

spikejone Loc: California

Ironically, later generations are content in their "dumbed down" existence. The entire world (medical, agribusiness, etc.) is giving in to technology, in favor of efficiency, and profit. My thinking is, at some point boredom will set, and curiosity will take over, saving many from the doldrums of a process-driven, "auto" life style.

colo_jeep_gal Loc: Colorado/In Pollock Pines, CA

It is true in what you say. My Dad was a photographer in the Air Force in WW2 & Korea. When he passed I got a ton of his things and I was amazed at his creativity. He had made so many things to get certain results. Filters with holders etc. and now we just go to PS or even Picassa go get the same results and even better in many cases. And to think of how long it took. His books on photography, the course in NY he took etc. He did get a digital at the end and he really liked it a lot. But not soon enough to have fun with software.
I guess it just comes down to the love of capturing what we like and sharing it with others and being creative with software if we like. For me it is all for me then if others like it that's a thrill too.

rodpark2 Loc: Dallas, Tx

There are certain shots that can be taken on full auto, others almost certainly cannot. A shot of the moon is a good example. I had to use manual focus and manual exposure to get this. I'm a photography teacher and have seen many students reach their limit by not understanding when and where to get off auto modes. If you understand the camera it's at least faster and easier to use manual on some shots than to try to override auto controls to achieve certain things. Here are 3 shots that would be very, very difficult to do on an auto setting.

spikejone Loc: California

Bingo!

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

What really floored me was when I discovered that they make lenses that you can put on your iphone! Really? It's a frikkin' phone!! not a camera.

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

If you're talking about the Canon T4i on QVC, keep in mind these are the same people who sell a computer and tell you that you get $900 worth of software on it, which in actuality is nothing more than crapware you get on any new computer. They're selling a good camera to the lowest common denominator in America - people who have no idea how to take a good photograph but think that the camera will do it for them. MOST will be highly disappointed in their results and post on help forums something like this: "All my shots turn out blurry. I'm taking candlelight pictures indoors of my granddaughter's birthday cake. What's wrong with my camera?"

So don't be too upset about QCV. There will always be a difference between good snapshots and good photographs. Remember, if 700 monkeys typed for 700 years, eventually they would produce the complete works of Shakespeare. The same holds true for camera users on auto.

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

Unfortunately, the P&S camera market is being eroded by the increased use of cell phones as cameras and camcorders.

steveo52 Loc: Rhode Island and Ocala Florida

Ditto! Just 2 years ago I was using a point and shoot Fuji 8 mp. They were some decent "snap shots", but I wasn't having half the fun I have now with my Canon 60d.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

:thumbup:

rebride

Some day you will be able to just blink and take a high resolution picture. No camera involved.