CalevPhoto

So you want to get started in photography

I am a very biased and opinionated person on all subjects I care about – so it is especially true for photography.  I really have not published a ‘beginners photography’ blog because there are so many of them out there already.  However, after seeing a number that I sharply disagree with, I thought I would post my own.

I will not talk about specific camera models or Nikon vs. Canon here.  This is for those who want to become photographers – not equipment collectors.  Therefore, the following are my recommendations for people who want to get into photography.

What should I do first?

This is simple, do not buy anything? Huh!? Before buying any equipment, I strongly recommend you go to the bookstore/library and get one or two books on the type of photography you are interested in.  I do not recommend the general photography books as those aren’t very helpful.  Get books from photographers known for their work.  The book I started out with is John Shaw’s Nature Photography Field Guide – though if you’re into portrait photography you’ll probably want a different book.

The point is you need to understand some things before you buy.  Unless you understand what an SLR does for you and what the differences are between different lenses, you’ll be unlikely to make an informed decision.

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New Year’s Resolutions 2009

Well, it’s time again.  Before discussing my photography resolutions for 2009, I thought I would review how well I did on my resolutions for 2008.  The ones in red I missed completely, blue I hit somewhat, and green I met completely.

Vision

1. Start keeping a photography notebook (Bought the notebook, never filled it in)
2. Take a new type of photograph at least once a month (I took several new types of photographs, but not a dozen)
3. Take at least five landscape groups (I took three)
4. Participate in at least six photo outings (participated in 3)

Online

1. Continue with this blog, posting at least five times a week  (I didn’t post once a week, but I’m happy with my rate of posting)
2. Over half of all photos on blog are taken in the last week  (true, the majority of the photos posted here were taken recently)
3. Join at least two online photography communities and contribute regularly (I did – DPReview and Smugmug, but I am happy contributing to the communities I am already on)

Knowledge

1. Sign up for video courses on Photoshop and go through several courses (missed completely)
2. Start using printer profiles when printing
3. Print at least one extra large image good enough to display in the home (I printed it, but we never hung it
4. Lead at least one class on macro photography at my work

Equipment

1. Purchase the Canon 180L and take more pictures of bees and dragonflies (almost, bought the 180L, took pictures of bees but no dragonflies)
2. Purchase a neutral density filter and take more pictures of moving water (only so much money…)

Microstock

1. Double my Shutterstock portfolio to at least 700 images (at around 500 right now) 
2. Double my sales by the end of the year (I honestly don’t remember what my sales were, but I don’t think I doubled them)

Given that, it’s time to go through my goals for 2009.

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5D Mark II Auto Focus is awesome!

OK, I now have to say that the AF in the 5D Mark II is definitely a step up from the 5D.  Given that hardware-wise they have the exact same AF, the difference must be the Digic IV processor.

This weekend we took the kids to a birthday party at a jumping house.  I had been to this identical location several months earlier with my old 5D and I was keen to see what the true difference would be.

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How to travel with equipment and children

Recently someone asked about traveling with both photography equipment and children.  Since I have done quite a lot of that, I thought I would share my experiences.

We have two boys – ages four and five and we usually take one international vacation each year and fly domestically twice each year.  Our domestic flights are usually either to New York City (which is an easy direct flight from Seattle) or to Rochester, NY – which is more difficult because we have to change planes and the aircraft are smaller.

So far we have taken our kids to Rome, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, and Mexico on separate trips.  Our five year old has been to ten countries already and both are very used to aircraft and are seasoned travelers.

In every trip since I bought my DSLR three years ago, I have brought the majority of my equipment.  The equipment has varied as I accumulate more of it but it started out as a fully loaded Tamrac Expedition 5 and now I use an Airport Accelerator from ThinkTankPhoto.  The following are my recommendations for traveling safe and sane with both.

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Upgrading to a new camera – lessons learned

Finally, my Canon 5D Mark II is on its way.  However, from this process I have learned quite a bit about my old camera and how I will handle camera upgrades in the future.

The day after the 5D Mark II was announced, I decided to preorder it.  At first I was very skeptical of the camera, but in the end I decided that a camera with basically the same sensor as the 1Ds Mark III, without the AF and the weather sealing but with video was a good deal at $2700.

After reading on a rumor site that the camera would be released early, I called Buydig to see when my camera would ship.  They confirmed that it was coming soon so I sold my old 5D in October.  Unfortunately, this turned out not to be true so I have had to get by without a camera for the last two months.

Being without a camera for so long and watching as people started unboxing their Mark II’s has left me with the following conclusions.

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What lenses will Canon release next year?

Before I begin speculating, let me first state very clearly that I have absolutely no inside knowledge of what Canon will release next year.  These are just educated guesses.  However, it can be fun to guess.

To be honest, recent lens releases by Canon have been extremely dull.  I was completely underwhelmed with the recently announced 24mm 1.4 II as I really have absolutely no use for a lens like that.  My suspicions are that this trend will continue for next year.

There are two main reasons why I think Canon will not release many new lenses next year.

1. Canon doesn’t really need to do this.  Canon already has a good lead over Nikon in terms of lens variety and Nikon has been releasing lenses at a slow pace itself.  With cameras, I have noticed that Canon seemed to prefer to let Nikon catch up to them before releasing anything new.  To a lesser degree, that may be the same case with lenses.
2. We are in an economic downturn.  Most companies I know of have cut features from their products and reduced the number of products in development.  Canon (and Nikon) are no different here.  If Canon releases more lenses next year than it did this year, the only reason will be that these lenses were already very mature in development.

That being said, the following are my opinions on upcoming lenses.  Rather than state what I think will be released compared to what will not, I will rank them from one to ten with one meaning the chances are very low to ten being an almost certainty.

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My own rumors about Canon

For some time, I have been reading different rumors about Canon on Dpreview.com and CanonRumors.com.  Recently, I have grown frustrated with the information presented – most particularly CanonRumors.  In fact, I cannot remember when they have actually gotten something right there – even things they mark as ‘done deal’ have turned out to be wrong (for instance the early release of the Canon 5D Mark II)

Therefore, I thought I would compile my own list of rumors.  These are exactly that – rumors.  However, I have compiled them based of numerous posts in DPReview, past practices of Canon, and common sense.  Therefore, without further ado.

When will Canon release the 5D Mark II?

They will release it the same time they have been saying all along – at the end of November.  I think this will be very close to the end of November, and many packages may arrive the first week of December.

Will everyone receive the 5D Mark II that preordered?

It depends on when you preordered it, but everyone in the US that preordered within the first few days of the announcement will receive it in the first wave.  If you have not already preordered the camera, you likely will not receive it this year unless you get in on one of the first orders from B&H or you get lucky with your local camera store.

What SLR cameras will Canon announce soon?

Canon will release an upgrade to the 40D/50D next year – most likely in September but there is a possibility for April.  The new model, tentatively called the 60D, will be similar to the 50D but will have video.

Will Canon release a 1 series body next year?

Yes, the new body will include video, will have more megapixels (though my guess is the 1Ds body will not be substantial – probably from 21 MP to 24).  The bodies will have a new AF as well.  High ISO performance will be similar to the 5D Mark II.

Will Canon release a new flash to update the 580EX II?

Yes, it is just a matter of time.  There is always a small team at Canon working on the next flashes.  It is possible this flash may be released next year, but I don’t think Canon feels rushed here.

Will Canon ever get rid of the direct print button?

Nope, the button will be there for the foreseeable future.  Some exec at Canon has a soft spot for this button.  They have made it more multi-purpose though – it now controls Live View.  This is likely the future of the button.  Canon will keep the direct print feature until it becomes too expensive to maintain.  When someday in the future a new generation of printers is released that won’t work with this button, expect the direct print feature to be removed, but the button will stay for Live View purposes.

A Respite from Photography

As many of you know, since selling my old 5D and waiting for my new 5D Mark II I have been without a camera.  This has given me the opportunity for reflection on my current status and goals with a lot of things.

For instance, as an aside I have finally figured out a routine for learning foreign languages.  As those of you who know me well know, I speak a good number of foreign languages but I have a problem keeping up with languages I am not actively studying.  I believe I have finally figured out how to do this.

In terms of photography, I have been able to reflect on my current skills and goals.  For instance, I have realized that I need to move up a level in my macro photography to fully understand composition.  Right now, I’m content with just getting a good shot of a bug from a good angle.  However, I need to also take into mind the angles and curves in the shot and other aspects in order to make the shot actually interesting.

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My Photography Plan

While reflecting on the current state of my photography, I have come up with a new photography plan.  My end goal is quite high – to become a well known photographer.  From that goal I am currently quite distant, however in small steps I believe I can achieve this.

Therefore I have decided to name goals in different areas.

Skills – How to improve my skills as a photographer.

Equipment – What new gadgets to purchase.

Sales – How to make more money from photography so I can purchase said gadgets.

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My thoughts on the Canon 40D

Recently, one of my friends felt pity for my cameraless plight and let me borrow his 40D over the weekend so I could take pictures of my sons at two Halloween parties.

Coming from the 5D, the 40D is certainly a different camera.  I suspect that many people right now are trying to make up their mind whether to purchase a new 50D or a used 5D, so I thought I would offer my opinions on the differences (the 50D and 40D are very similar cameras).

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