I gave non-advice to new photographer
Aug 6, 2018 11:36:02 #
Tomcat5133
Loc: Gladwyne PA
It really depends on the couple. If they want to take some better photos of the baby growing up a small camera with fixed zoom lens good IQ might be right and they can grow with it. It is a great idea to go in a photo store. But they can be intimidating as you probably know. Costco etc the cameras are pre packaged and sold
at discount. You can't handle them. I went sailing one day with a friend. Never had been a sailboat. Well 6 boats later I finally sold my last a couple of years ago. I have noticed lately out in places and events seeing women shooting with DSLR's etc. It depends how much interest you have in helping them a great point and shoot. Or if you just want to pass. Good luck.
at discount. You can't handle them. I went sailing one day with a friend. Never had been a sailboat. Well 6 boats later I finally sold my last a couple of years ago. I have noticed lately out in places and events seeing women shooting with DSLR's etc. It depends how much interest you have in helping them a great point and shoot. Or if you just want to pass. Good luck.
Aug 6, 2018 11:51:06 #
aggiedad
Loc: Corona, ca
Others have said to go with a great cell phone. If they decide to go that direction, advise them to ge as close as practicable to their subject and do their best to avoid backlit situations. I see too many of these shots where the subjects are much too dark, and attempts to lighten the shadows (if the do try at all) bring heavy noise.
Too many of the cell phone snapshot crew are the descendants of the instamatic generation who view any image at all as a success no matter how poor the image.
Too many of the cell phone snapshot crew are the descendants of the instamatic generation who view any image at all as a success no matter how poor the image.
Aug 6, 2018 11:58:52 #
ggenova64 wrote:
I would give her the Camera, buy yourself a new camera, and help with learning it! How do we forget learning our Camera features and functions.
I kinda, sorta, did that with my D.I.L.
Only, I created a monster! I gave her my seldom used D70S and a zoom lens that came in a purchase kit, still in its box.
She is now a professional photog, specializing in baby and toddler shoots. How little did I know that Nikon would turn into $20k's worth of equipment and a very successful career in photography.
My son just rolls his eyes and continually says to me, "How could you have, Dad?!!" (How was I to know that she had 'the eye'??) :)
With the quality of cell phone cameras today, I would have suggested forgetting a regular camera, and go with a good cellphone. My daughter's Samsung Galaxy 10 Note is unbelievably sharp. (As noted a few weeks ago in a picture I submitted here, of her shot of a fish at the Dragon Lights Festival, here in Reno.
Aug 6, 2018 12:08:56 #
Davethehiker wrote:
A young early twenty's couple from church asked me... (show quote)
As you did, I'd suggest a smartphone (I carry an iPhone all the time). I'd also suggest she go to http://www.dpreview.com and read reviews of cameras in her price range. THEN, visit a store and look at the ones that interest her.
However... I tend to suggest that people buy something used and inexpensive at first, to learn with. Once you have a bit of experience, you tend to know more precisely what you want.
I'd also suggest she jump start her knowledge with Bryan Petersen's *Understanding Exposure* and Tony Northrup's *Stunning Digital Photography*. $50 worth of knowledge is worth more than an expensive camera.
Unfortunately, the amount of time new parents have to truly learn photography is probably limited! We have twins (now 20). I can only imagine trying to raise them and teach myself photography at the same time... It takes all both parents have to deal with 0-5 year-olds.
Aug 6, 2018 12:34:38 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
Davethehiker wrote:
A young early twenty's couple from church asked me... (show quote)
For what she want's to do she already has a camera. Her smartphone.
Aug 6, 2018 13:04:50 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I am not sure she would want to learn photography or just wanted to take pictures of her baby. If she just wanted to take pictures of her baby then perhaps the phone is fine.
I'm not sure ether. She showed me some photos that her sister took of the baby and said she would like to be able to take photos like this. They were super cute photos of the baby with it's face biting into a big slice of watermelon. I can offer the opportunity to learn at a club, but I also doubt that she has time to attend club meetings. That baby keeps her busy.
Aug 6, 2018 13:09:59 #
Billynikon
Loc: Atlanta
A good friend asked me to help him get a camera that could do more than his phone and that he could get good pictures on vacation. I told him Costco had a good deal on a D3400 which was a very basic DSLR but took good pictures and came with everything he would need. He told me up front that it was his decision and he would never blame me if it went wrong. He loves it and I have helped him with it a number of times but he has kept to his word.
Aug 6, 2018 13:17:58 #
Davethehiker wrote:
A young early twenty's couple from church asked me... (show quote)
Not really my ball of wax, but for something totally emotional like baby pictures I'd tell her to buy or use her CellPhone (New Mom aged women must have a CellPhone). Or ask one of the grand parents to take pictures as they likely already have a camera or could more readily afford one. This is not going to be a fine arts project. Especially if they don't have the cash, not a new hobby.
Aug 6, 2018 16:22:02 #
HOHIMER wrote:
I agree. Never sell a used car to a relative who lives close by!
Lol. Excellent!!!
Aug 6, 2018 17:11:54 #
Something really simple, flexible, easy to use, fairly powerful for its size, and relatively inexpensive: I would have advised a Canon SX710, although there is now a 720, 730, and a new 740, all fairly cheap.
Aug 6, 2018 18:11:43 #
A cell phone or compact point and shoot camera will suffice for now. More as the commitment, budget and needs grow. Just keep it simple.
Aug 6, 2018 18:24:58 #
Angmo wrote:
A cell phone or compact point and shoot camera will suffice for now. More as the commitment, budget and needs grow. Just keep it simple.
Aug 6, 2018 20:03:48 #
Davethehiker wrote:
A young early twenty's couple from church asked me... (show quote)
I'd say you did as well as possible. Short of possibly offending them by telling the tale of how cameras produce images in the same way brushes make paintings. you minimized the need for an 'expensive camera'. Given that she is not informed and is about to be a parent, your steering her away from a pricey purchase was the right move. If she takes some images that are not up to her expectations, you'll likely have a chance to bridge the information gap with some images as a starting point.
Aug 6, 2018 20:16:26 #
anotherview wrote:
I would've added that she study composition and exposure along with the importance of subject if she later became interested in editing her photographs.
I might've also mentioned attending a workshop for novices to digital photography to improve her results.
I've found that beginners can absorb only so much guidance in the outset of their interest in photography. They need some hand holding.
I would've added that she study composition and exposure along with the importance of subject if she later became interested in editing her photographs.
I might've also mentioned attending a workshop for novices to digital photography to improve her results.
I've found that beginners can absorb only so much guidance in the outset of their interest in photography. They need some hand holding.
There's a company in Reno, Nevada that teaches a combined course in natural childbirth and beginner photography -- so that Dad has something to do during the birth process.
Aug 7, 2018 11:24:34 #
Davethehiker wrote:
A young early twenty's couple from church asked me... (show quote)
I would have suggested K.I.S.S. ( Keep it Simple Silly.), yes many small Pocket size Cameras offer very good quality and they are not complicated to learn and use.
I had a Pocket Size Panasonic Lumix Camera that took very nice Photos, which I sold (WHY?) Wish I still had it for those times I do not want to carry around my Nikon D3300 and lens and accessories.
But today, if you have a "Smartphone" you are able to take some very stunning photos.
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