Just as nobody tells new parents what they are going to find from the very moment of the birth of their offspring and they only show the pretty face of the matter, nobody tells the true truth to a photographer who wants to acquire a SLR or similar to make their first steps in photography.
And I’m not saying this to discourage you, this is a photography blog. We love photography, we love that you immerse yourself in this world, but we want you to do it with awareness and to be clear that you can also take photos without SLR, that there are other cameras. Stay and I’ll tell you everything.
What can happen to you when you buy a SLR
The normal thing is that at the beginning (or before) you feel encouraged by the comments of your closest people: «What beautiful photos», «You are very good at this», «You could dedicate yourself to this», « If you had one of those good cameras you’d get some great shots”, etcetera, etcetera. And you believe it. Compared to your friends, your photos are wonderful, those who take good photos have SLRs, so two plus two equals four.
And with this apparently overwhelming logic, you go out and buy your first SLR and after a few days two things can happen to you, either you get frustrated and the camera ends up on automatic for life, or you like it so much and you really insist on take small steps until you achieve results, although you will have lost the illusion a little. This second option would be ideal, but for this you have to really like it. The first would be a shame because for that you better save money and buy a cheaper camera.
So that the first does not happen to you and you are from the second group but with enthusiasm, I am going to tell you what nobody tells you, what you should know before entering this world.
1. The world does not end in an SLR
No, not all photography is SLR. There are great cameras on the market that are not SLR but that take very good pictures. You can find them even lighter and cheaper, they would be an intermediate step between a compact and a reflex. But believe me, not everyone needs an SLR. Take a look at the evil and bridge cameras and when you finish reading this article, these options may seem more interesting to you 😉
2. An SLR will not help you get better photos
And it is that, in line with what I told you in the previous point, I have to confess that a reflex camera is not going to help you to be a better photographer. Only when you know how to handle a SLR really well can you achieve decent photos, which does not imply that they are attractive photos either, there is much more behind a focus, many pixels or a very fast shot, it is called composition, photographic eye, sensitivity, ability to excite, etc. None of this can be given by the best camera on the market. I have seen photographs taken with mobile phones that have impacted me much more than many others made with very powerful equipment.
3. Learning photography is not easy, it takes time and effort
What I just mentioned can be learned. There are those who are born with the gift, but they are a privileged few (very few). I am proof that the photographic eye can be developed. I was also a sucker who thought I could get good photos with a SLR without having my father and I launched. It’s been hard for me to evolve 😉 And learning to handle a reflex camera is not easy at all. There are no exact recipes, each moment requires some adjustments, and not only that, depending on the expected result and the person who shoots, the adjustments can also be somewhat different.
Light is another factor that is often resisted. When you are able to handle light, you know how to compose and you know your camera like the back of your hand, then it’s time to take good pictures. Until then, the road is very long. It’s also satisfying and fun, if you like that, of course. But the key is that you like it enough to spend your free time practicing a lot.
4. A reflex device is not comfortable to wear or transport
Many people end up buying a reflex camera because they think that their photos will be more beautiful on their trips, or when their children are born, to have the best photos in the park or on the beach, etc. What they don’t know is that a reflex device is much less comfortable to transport. Especially for travel.
If you are only looking for a souvenir, it is better to acquire another type of camera that is less heavy, that you are less afraid of losing and that is less delicate. The same I tell you if you have to run after a tadpole, either at home or in the park to take souvenir photos. It’s something like an impossible mission mixed with high-risk sports 😉
5. Encouraging comments on social networks and from family members must be taken with a grain of salt
Okay, your people love you very much. And they will only see the best of you. Also, they are not professionals. The same goes for those people you interact with on social media. Most of these people who comment on your photos do not have much knowledge in the matter so their praise should be taken with care. More than anything because they will not allow you to learn.
If you think from the start that you take great photos, you are not going to bother to improve, or take a course, or read tutorials, much less do exercises to practice. And that in the end ends up translating into frustration, because you will compare yourself with people who have been there for a long time and who are very good because they have worked a lot. And you may be wondering… why don’t I get photos like this? Will I need to upgrade my gear? And you will fall into a somewhat vicious and unproductive wheel 😉
6. Photography is not a cheap hobby
I may get more than one smack for writing this, but it’s the honest truth. The equipment does not make the photographer, I just told you, but continuing to take steps in photography involves acquiring lenses and other accessories and that costs money. A SLR, at first, costs a lot of money, but when you start to buy lenses, or a flash, if a tripod, etc., you have to keep scratching your pocket. Or if not, simply keep the body and the kit lens, but for that, I tell you the same as at the beginning, there are still other cameras that are more suitable for you that can more than cover your needs.
7. The danger of being self-taught
Being self-taught is fine, but it takes a lot longer to learn and many things fall by the wayside. I tell you from experience. If I went back I would not hesitate to take a course, to read a lot of books and above all, above all, to read the camera’s instruction manual “from-pe-to-pa” so as not to waste so much time with trial and error and come to fiddle with buttons. The one of photos that I lost at the time due to this very serious error.
The funny thing is that I keep hearing a lot (to beginners, of course) about how you don’t need to read the manual, yes, you can learn by bugging… and I say, no, you’re wrong… Ask anyone who has been reading for a while. see what it tells you 😉
I insist, my intention is far from discouraging you, but to tell you from the heart where you are going to get into (at the risk of being rained on me, as I have already mentioned). Like motherhood, which is wonderful but sometimes hard, photography is not a bed of roses, as much as we love it. If you enter this world, do it with passion. We will accompany you!
Meanwhile, if you found it interesting, I appreciate you sharing it on your favorite social network. I’m sure someone will benefit from reading this 😉 Thank you a thousand times and good luck in those beginnings!