"Wow, you must have a great camera!"
These are seven WORST words you can ever say to a pro photographer. It is the technique of composition, framing, lighting, exposure, and the delicate balance between aperture and shutter speed, and most of all, the creative capability of the person behind the lens that makes great pictures.
It is best, however, to start with a good quality tool for the job. As is so often quoted by the pros, "The best camera is the one that you have with you."
We travel for a lot of the same reasons - to get some well-earned time away from home, experience new places or revisit a few of our favorites. We might choose a secluded beach or a UNESCO sight or a famous landmark or might stumble across a hidden gem.
Wherever we vacation, we count on our photo collections to preserve the essence of those journeys.
Pro photographers teach us to take a lot of shots and then spend a little time selecting the "keepers" from the lot. Later in this series, we will feature advice on how to shoot like the pros, so you can bring home great mementos from your travels.
It is essential to start with good gear to get great photos, but most of us (myself included!) wouldn't know how to use 90% of the features in a pro body camera. If you are the exception, you are already ahead of the game and will certainly derive a lot from our upcoming Pro Photography Blogs. For most of us, a good all-in-one unit or cell phone camera will suffice and with a little practice, you will be amazed with your results!
I personally use a Nikon Coolpix P610, a great hybrid solution combining the portability of a point-and-shoot with some pro camera features like white balance, motion compensation and even RAW capture which can really make or break your photos. Of course, there are newer models out there, but because I made a good selection, this still serves me well years later!
I didn't just buy it on a whim - I talked to pros, listened to their advice, and scoured DP Review, and ultimately set out to a camera specialty store so I could hold and test a few units before making my final selection.
Just as with travel planning, there is a lot of value to having an expert assist with making the right purchase. You will not only get great value, but pro shops offer pointers on using your new camera, as well as a warranty and after-market support. I have a black-belt in buying just about everything online, but for purchases that "matter," I always defer to the experts in our local reseller's store.
Technology and models are updated at the speed of light, so always do your homework, set a budget, and then identify a few "best in class" cameras on your short list before you head to the store.
These days, same goes for cell phones which appear to be marketed more for their photographic capabilities than for making calls!
Whatever you choose, remember to buy your gear at least a month in advance of a trip (longer if you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime vacation) so you have ample time to learn to use it under a multitude of lighting conditions (indoor in incandescent and florescent lights), outdoor, evenings, portraits, etc.
Take it out with you and use it often - the practice will surely pay off and you will return from your vacation well on your way to making a lifetime of memories, one journey at a time!