Tips for Digital SLR Equipment Upgrade

Digital SLR's makers have certainly been able to tap the mass consumer market. From the once fan of it's niche market composed of dedicated and professional photographers, Digital SLRs are now also being purchased by those who want to take photography as a hobby. With the popularity drawn by digital cameras and camera phones, people have been drawn and addicted to taking great looking photos. And with digital SLRs being made more affordable, it would be no surprise that there are now many hobbyist who have and are investing on these once professionally used only cameras.

If you are one of these people who have invested a small amount of fortune in this addicting hobby, then I am sure you can relate to what you are reading now. Yes, it is addicting. And just when you think you have invested enough, the more learn, the more you would want to buy more things and even upgrade your gear over and over again. So the question now is which equipment do you really need to buy?

Many have tried to answer this same question and never really followed them due to that "upgrade itch". But for your own good, read on and internalize the points here. Let us start with what you need in photography. If you just bought your DSLR (that more or less came with a kit lens), you have to understand that you actually have enough to take great photos. Before buying anything else, you actually have to master first the features of your camera and how it works. Buying a lot of other things would be useless if you can't even take great looking photos with a basic set up. Besides, when the time comes that you know what you really want to take pictures of, that would be the time you would know which equipment you REALLY need

A good initial purchase together with your digital SLR would be a sturdy camera bag. Since you should take good care of your equipment, as they are not really cheap, a good camera bag should be able to keep it protected. Just remember that you should think long term with your choice of camera bag. Get a bag that would have room for other equipment such as flashes and around one or two more lenses. This would allow you to keep your bag a bit longer as you may find no need to buy another, should you choose to buy more stuff.

Another good investment would be the purchase of lens filters. Filters would be a screw type like glass which you place on top of your lens. Depending on which kind, they should be able to optimize the color saturation of your pictures, as well as block of UV rays. But a great benefit of these would be the protection they give to your lenses. As they are another top layer, if worse comes to worst and scratching does happen, it would happen to your filters and not your lens. After all, generally they would be cheaper that buying another set of lens.

Lastly, invest on a tripod. It would be safe to say that in whichever field you actually want to shoot on, you will at one time or another be using this staple piece of equipment. Besides, when you are with friends, this would allow you to be included in the picture. After all, just because you are the photographer, it doesn't mean you can't also be a subject to your own pictures!

By Decio Fernandes

The Art of Digital Photography

Computers and cellular phones, mobility and microchips – these are the trademarks of the world today. We live in a world continually changed by technology. Even the arts have continually changed due to technology. Think of it: from charcoal drawings to painting to photography to digital photography, we have come a long way in the visual arts. We have used various methods in capturing life and freezing time. New technology is continually being developed to make art easier and more fun. However, you should know that the art of digital photography is not as simple as aim and shoot.

The art of digital photography needs skill in order to pull off properly. Although some people may reason out that digital photography art can always be edited, many people do not really know how much work editing can be. Oh sure, we can say that technology has reached a level wherein a person needs to do practically nothing in order to achieve a great photograph, but of course, you need to know how to use the tools properly in order to do that.

The art of digital photography, in order to be truly mastered, needs three T's: Time, talent and tactical placement of equipment. No, that's not right. You need time, talent and treasure. Just what does this mean?

1) Time – one cannot be an instant expert in digital photography. You need to take the time to learn all about it. Even though you are some sort of protégé who has the talents of a genius, you actually need training to hone that talent. Remember that for all its power, a steamroller cannot be used to do the work of a hammer. There is wisdom in harnessing power properly.

Taking the time to train your self in the art of digital photography is something akin to sharpening a knife using a grindstone or forging a fine katana (that's the Japanese samurai sword) by heating it and folding it over a thousand times –it may be painful, but it is necessary to produce the best.

2) Talent – of course, you need a bit of inherent talent in order to be truly great at the art of digital photography. You need to have an eye for the subjects that would make a great photograph. Otherwise, you will only end up being mediocre in a field that requires greatness.

Of course, the proper training can actually enhance your inherent talent and help you sharpen your skills in the art of digital photography.

3) Treasure – as said before, you will need the proper tools in order to be successful in the art of digital photography. This means that you will need to invest a lot of cash. Although there are a lot of digital art photography equipment that can be bought at inexpensive prices, the best equipment needs some serious pocket digging. This, of course, tests your courage because there's nothing scarier to a man than having to pull out his wallet in the name of an untested interest.

Once you have invested money in the art of digital photography, there's no turning back.

The art of digital photography may seem like it requires a lot. However, in order to be truly successful in something you need love and love always requires sacrifice. You should keep that in mind.