Point, And shoot.

[xnoirox]

So, because I only have a P&S( a canon powershot sx30) does that make any pictures i take a piece of crap?

 

[MLeeK]

No. And your point is?

 

[xnoirox]

I don't have a point. But whenever there's discussion on a p&s it seems that having a p&s is a bad thing.

 

[tirediron]

I don't have a point. But whenever there's discussion on a p&s it seems that having a p&s is a bad thing.

Not at all; the best camera in the world is the one you have. What makes your photos good or bad is your skill and knowledge. You may be limited in some aspects using a P&S compared to a DSLR, but you can take some amazing photos with one. I know several photographers who routinely turn in outstanding images using P&S cameras.

 

[Fishpaste]

I don't think anyone serious about photography will tell you that using a point-and-shoot camera is necessarily a bad thing.

What is bad is if your photo looks like it was taken with a point-and-shoot. Basically, this means that the photo is a plain-Jane vacation snapshot and no composition is evident.

 

[enzodm]

I don't have a point. But whenever there's discussion on a p&s it seems that having a p&s is a bad thing.

typically it happens when someone asks how to do things that cannot be done or are difficult with a P&S. Like "where is the setting for blurring the background" or similar .
Knowing limitations, pictures that are not crossing those limits came out the same way as with a dSLR.
If you want to grow (photographically), the more control of a dSLR gives you more road to follow; and typically here there is people willing to grow, so suggestions go in this direction. That's all. We all come from a P&S (except those born before their invention ).

 

[WesternGuy]

I agree with what has been said - it is not the camera that "makes" the pictures, but the grey matter between the ears of the person looking into the camera that counts. Henri Cartier Bresson, often thought of as the father of modern photojournalism, did all of his work with a 35mm P&S. There is a local photographer, where I live, who carries a P&S with him where ever he goes - he says the "big" camera is too bulky to carry everywhere, whereas the smaller, lighter P&S is great. The images that I have seen from his P&S are just great. Image composition practices, rules and guidelines are applicable everywhere, regardless of the camera you have. You could start by researching some of these aspects. Good luck!

Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[TCD photography]

Simple answer, no (I have the SX20). Any person behind a DSLR can take bad or crappy photos, and P&S's can take nice, or even great photos. I think the "secret" to taking great photos with a point and shoot is having an understanding of photography, and most importantly, knowing and accepting the limitations of your equipment.

 

[xnoirox]

Thanks all.
Indeed. I've read a book and taken a class, and tried "thinking outside the box."
Would browsing through professionals pictures be a good idea? And going through my own images and criticizing them(attempting to).?

 

[JerryW]

I'm still learning every time I shoot. I wouldn't waste time going through old photos and critiquing them.When I first got my canon 60D, (literally) took 1,600 pictures during a trip to the zoo. The camera could do it so I felt that was a benefit to using a camera capable of a relatively high frames per second. I thought I was sure to get a picture with everyone's eyes open. I was missing the critical elements discussed on this forum.After putting my camera through it's first 10,000 pics, as I learned from TPF, I began taking fewer pictures but better pictures.One more tip. When someone on this forum asks for CCs, open the thread and take a good long look at the picture(s), look for things that seem to require improvement, THEN read the feedback from others. THEN take whatever camera you have and try taking the same kind of picture keeping in mind lessons learned.THEN, after you practice practice practice, put one of your own photos up. IF you are teachable and not just trying to show off how cute your kids, pets, significant other, etc. is, you will be open minded and learn. I have found when I take a picture of a loved one, my love for the person eliminates the need to compose a shot. People on this forum don't have the same hangup and look at things objectively.My thoughts which could not be tweeted, Jerry.

 

[JerryW]

By the way, an athlete only improves by comparing their most recent effort with what it should have been (perfection). Though there may be an emotional satisfaction looking back at how much he/she has improved over the years, it does not result in improvement. Photography, and I suspect in everything else worth pursuing, is likely the same. Move forward, improving day by day. And some day you will take that perfect shot.Short aside here. Take your camera with you everywhere you go. I was approaching a gas station and saw a minivan towing a semi tow truck which was towing a large rig with trailer. The kind of thing only Dr. Seuss could dream up. You may have to read that description again to really get it. If I had my camera, one look would tell it all, generate some good laughter and possibly an endorsement contract from the maker of the minivan.

 

[photo guy]

NO! Just take your time to learn using your camera and it will work out fine.

 

[enzodm]

Thanks all.
Indeed. I've read a book and taken a class, and tried "thinking outside the box."
Would browsing through professionals pictures be a good idea? And going through my own images and criticizing them(attempting to).?

If you aim at artistic photography, as for other arts, look and study the Masters. Differently from sports or technology, improvement in art does not cancel previous efforts, but rather builds on and adds to. And you should become able, in some way, to criticize yourself - you should be able to trash the worst pictures and keep the best; spending time on old pictures you know are not great may be not so useful, but after shooting, yes, you should.
But before criticizing you have to take them, and this means mastering the technical aspects. They are not sufficient, but certainly necessary.

Consider also that postprocessing may be a sort of second shooting: do not underestimate what in the past you would have done in dark room, and now you can do in software. Always starting from the best picture you can take in camera .

Short aside also for me: I recently bought a cheap P&S to have it with me when I cannot bring my dSLR. Like you will find in a couple of member signatures (do not remember who, nor who told it): "The best camera is the one you have with you", and "the worst picture is the one you didn't take".

 

[theswede]

i use a p&s to and i wanted to trash it, but after this read i sure hell will keep it ^^ thanks for all tips!

 

[zcar21]

Short aside also for me: I recently bought a cheap P&S to have it with me when I cannot bring my dSLR. Like you will find in a couple of member signatures (do not remember who, nor who told it): "The best camera is the one you have with you", and "the worst picture is the one you didn't take".

I was shooting more when I had a small P&S, and a lot of the pictures were crappy. My pictures improved after getting a dslr, however, I don't carry it as much.