Camera Required for Freshman Art Student

[UMPhoto]

I’m a freshman art student, and the university wants us to document our art progress using a camera. They’ve given the guidelines below. Would you be able to recommend something for a student majoring in painting, I.e., a non-photography major? Thank you.

“Students are expected to document their work for a variety of purposes including coursework, portfolio development, reviews, applications and web site development. To address these expectations, we recommended a moderately priced digital camera with manual control features to adjust image exposure and set custom white balance.”

 

[ACHILLEAS]

what is your budget? go for a used dslr. look at this site to get an idea about prices.

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/category/used-cameras/dslr-cameras?sort[productPrice]=ASC

if you need help about camera and lens specs ask. are you familiar with photography?
then you will also need a tripod and a flash or another light source to better photograph paintings.

 

[cgw102]

Google "used beginner dslr."

 

[smoke665]

. To address these expectations, we recommended a moderately priced digital camera with manual control features to adjust image exposure and set custom white balance.”

I suspect their requirements have more to do with varying lighting conditions than the camera. Being able to adjust the White Balance is probably the most critical because of varying light temperatures between locations. They want to see your work in its actual color rather than the hue of reflected light. IE - fluorescent lighting (green tint), or incandescent (yellow/orange)

Most modern cell phones wil now meet the requirements they've specified. If you want a camera, I'd suggest a compact point/shoot. A moderately priced one with the ability to save to an SD card, like the Minolta MD30, at less than $150, would probably work well for what you need.

As a beginning art student with no photography experience, it really doesn't make sense for you to tackle the learning curve on a more complicated camera. A bridge camera with it's integrated lens offers beginners the chance to focus on the basics without the learning curve.

 

[RScottie100]

You want a good camera that depicts your work in the best light as it could possibly effect your grade if you turn in poor photos.

I would suggest a good entry level DSLR and taking the time to learn it.

They are correct about white balance, it can really change the hue of a picture, so that needs to either be adjusted manually by you or done automatically by the camera.

 

[UMPhoto]

what is your budget? go for a used dslr. look at this site to get an idea about prices.

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/category/used-cameras/dslr-cameras?sort[productPrice]=ASC

if you need help about camera and lens specs ask. are you familiar with photography?
then you will also need a tripod and a flash or another light source to better photograph paintings.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[UMPhoto]

I suspect their requirements have more to do with varying lighting conditions than the camera. Being able to adjust the White Balance is probably the most critical because of varying light temperatures between locations. They want to see your work in its actual color rather than the hue of reflected light. IE - fluorescent lighting (green tint), or incandescent (yellow/orange)

Most modern cell phones wil now meet the requirements they've specified. If you want a camera, I'd suggest a compact point/shoot. A moderately priced one with the ability to save to an SD card, like the Minolta MD30, at less than $150, would probably work well for what you need.

As a beginning art student with no photography experience, it really doesn't make sense for you to tackle the learning curve on a more complicated camera. A bridge camera with it's integrated lens offers beginners the chance to focus on the basics without the learning curve.

Thank you for the advice. I think their syllabus is outdated and a good phone camera would work also, but using a tripod and a good lighting source.

 

[UMPhoto]

You want a good camera that depicts your work in the best light as it could possibly effect your grade if you turn in poor photos.

I would suggest a good entry level DSLR and taking the time to learn it.

They are correct about white balance, it can really change the hue of a picture, so that needs to either be adjusted manually by you or done automatically by the camera.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[smoke665]

but using a tripod and a good lighting source.

I wouldn't overthink it to much. As per your OP "the university wants us to document our art progress using a camera", the key words in that are document progress, not portray the finished project. I suspect they're more concerned with verifying your work, than the actual quality of an image. My suggestions would be to confirm with the instructor first, as I'm sure most first year art students are not in the position to drop $$$$$ on camera gear.

Lighting an object is a science in itself. Paintings can be highly reflective, so positioning near a window with diffused curtain, would probably give better results than a flash.

 

[UMPhoto]

I wouldn't overthink it to much. As per your OP "the university wants us to document our art progress using a camera", the key words in that are document progress, not portray the finished project. I suspect they're more concerned with verifying your work, than the actual quality of an image. My suggestions would be to confirm with the instructor first, as I'm sure most first year art students are not in the position to drop $$$$$ on camera gear.

Lighting an object is a science in itself. Paintings can be highly reflective, so positioning near a window with diffused curtain, would probably give better results than a flash.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[MartinCrabtree96]

A specific recommendation.

Nikon D3100 w/18-55mm kit lens. A surprisingly capable (and affordable) little kit. Probably $150-250 if you look around.

 

[wfooshee]

I'm in the camp of getting a point-and-shoot digital camera rather than a DSLR. You'll still have a little bit of a learning curve, but you'll not be investing in anything you'll never need again (unless you actually discover that photography is pretty cool.)

Even a cell phone camera has a decent learning curve if you work in its advanced modes where you can control ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and white balance.

 

[VidThreeNorth]

". . . the university wants us to document our art progress using a camera."

One of the first things you need to learn about University is "don't buy anything until after you've been to the classes". Gather information (like you did when you posted your inquiry "here", and especially, find out your LOCAL market (where you can buy reasonably good USED camera equipment), and start building up ideas. Meanwhile, you can probably use a cell-phone and use some apps that mimic advanced cameras. The point is that your instructors will have their own ideas of what you need, and if you follow their advice, you might get a camera that fits what they want to teach you.

 

[24megapixseal51]

As an art student I'm sure you know about "good lighting"....and today's cellphones are darn good with most every day lighting scenarios....spend one or two days lunch money on a cheap new tripod and phone holder off Amazon.....and you'll have great results.....done!

 

[10acres]

Your cell phone would probably do as good or better than some older DSLR’s. If you find out they don’t want you to use your cell phone, send me a PM. I might be able to help you out.