Hello from Peoria, IL

[hendepa]

Hello. I have recently been considering photography as a hobby and have been doing a bunch of research to figure out how I wanted to start. Unfortunately I know very little about photography other than point and shoot. I did a lot of reading and decided I wanted to purchase a Canon DSLR for my first camera only to find a screaming good deal on a Canon sx 40 hx for $209 at Target on clearance this weekend. For that price I couldn't say no. I look forward to learning much more about the aspect of photography as an art from all of you. I have some questions to start

Would I be able to get a much better shot out of an entry level Canon DSLR that I could acquire for around 500 dollars then what I am currently using?

I use a budget laptop, say 300 dollars, would upgrading to a desktop, laptop with a dedicated graphics card, or apple product help me with the hobby as far as learning to edit images and seeing the vivid detail of what I am shooting?

Any advice you could give a beginner would also be appreciated as I yet to read my manual and dont even know what all the settings and options do? Maybe you have a sticky thread on the forum for this somewhere?

If your an experience photographer and live near Peoria, IL I would love to meet your acquaintance. Also, if you belong to any clubs.

I would post one of my favorites from the 200 i snapped in an hour today, but I dont know how to downsize the file and not ruin it?

 

[hendepa]

No replies? I know I am a newbie, but figured I would get at least a hello at 75 views

 

[KmH]

Welcome to TPF! :thumbup:

The forums slow down a bit on the weekends. People are out taking photos.

Laptops, particularly inexpensive ones, are notoriously poor platforms for doing image editing, for several of reasons:
1. Low quality, Twisted Nematic (TN) type display screens. TN displays have very limited color accurate viewing angles.
2. Accurate image editing is done using a calibrated display. When the ambient light the display is used under changes, the display has to be re-calibrated.
3. Many inexpensive laptops just don't have the processing ummph to run decent image editing software.

To learn the basic concepts and terminology, visit these excellent digital photography tutorials - Digital Photography Tutorials

 

[ld3davis]

Hello and welcome.

 

[hendepa]

Thank you for the information Keith. I will be sure to read over the tutorial. I know very little about shooting. I figured the power shot would help me see if I enjoyed taking pictures more. While not professional quality I have to say I like the images I got out of the camera yesterday compared to the Sony point and shoot I have been using.

Could you (or anyone) suggest a modest platform to purchase as well as a software package that may be beginner friendly to help me start learning how to edit my shots and see them to their true color and potential?

 

[Big Mike]

Would I be able to get a much better shot out of an entry level Canon DSLR that I could acquire for around 500 dollars then what I am currently using?

Depends on when/how you will be shooting...but overall, I'd say yes...a DSLR would be a much better tool to help you (the photographer) create better photos.

Keith mentioned the issues using a laptop. Yes, a desktop is the way to go for image editing.

You don't have to spend a bundle on software. Cameras (especially DSLR cameras) come with software and there are some decent free programs available. My personal suggestion would be for Adobe Lightroom and/or Adobe Photoshop Elements. Lightroom is an 'all in one' program that can control your whole workflow from uploading, editing, printing, sorting, archiving...to books, web galleries and slideshows. The one thing it's not for, is 'pixel editing'...where you actually change the image...like taking one person's head and putting it on another person. That is where you need a true image editor like Photoshop Elements (or it's big brother Photoshop CS). But for basic edits, adjustments and tweaks...Lightroom is perfectly fine.

 

[Derrel]

Hey--welcome to TPF, the craziest photo forum on the web!

I gotta agree with Big Mike...a d-slr is a good tool for creating decent pictures....it shoots NOW! When you see a photo, the d-slr RESPONDS, quickly!!! THAT is the main benefit of a d-slr over a point and shoot or cell phone camera; the reaction time of the actual camera "mechanisms" and sub-systems. The prices on used d-slrs at places like, specifically KEH.com on the web, is pretty low these days. Canon 40D is a good one, Nikon D90 is also a very good used camera, in the more-or-less $500 price zone. As for S/w see Big Mike's comments. again, welcome to TPF. Keep on shootin', no matter what you shoot with! iPhone, Android, Galaxy, P&S, Argus C-3, whatevva!!!

 

[hendepa]

Thanks for the info guys. I just have a lot to learn. I do shoot with my iphone sometimes haha...But the goal is to learn to take nice quality photos as a hobby. Looks like I should be taking back my canon bridge and buy a used DSLR to get on the same page. Maybe upgrade the desktop down the road a little to more ram and a better quality monitor. Can't take the leap all at once, but I been reading a lot of posts on here. It will take me some time to shoot right. Might as well start with the right equipment though...

 

[hendepa]

Could someone clarify why it would be wise to pickup say a canon D40 over something like a Rebel T3? I see Rebel T3s going on amazon for $550 with both a basic and longer range lense.

 

[Derrel]

Nothing really "wrong" with a Rebel...hundreds and hundreds of thousands of them are in use all over the world.

 

[hendepa]

Well from what is sounds like on here just choose a brand and stick with it. Lenses are interchangeable with the brand you choose so I'll do a little more looking and pick my poison