Are those small digital cameras good for nature/wildlife photography?
Discussion
9 replies
Posted by alicia valdes on March 14, 2006 at 1:27 PM
Ive been interested in wildlife/nature photography since, forever, and I finally got myself one of those small digital cameras they sell nowadays. Its not a professionals camera, but it takes rather descent photos. But ive noticed that practically 99% of the people taking wildlife/nature photos have those extremly big and expensive cameras (SLR I believe is what their called). Yeah, they have incredible zoom capabilites and take awsome photos, but their SO expensive. I dont think I will ever afford one, atleast not untill im like 30, im only 18. So, my question is, are the small digital cameras, like the one im using, good for nature/wildlife photography? They lack in zoom, but their quality is great. Anyway, I hope someone understands what im saying. I feel like im confusing.
Posted by Josh Anderson on March 14, 2006 at 1:45 PM
As long as your camera allows you to manually set your aperture and shutter speed, I think you can learn a lot and make nice images from what you have.. Exactly what kind of camera are you using?
I think it depends on what you'd like to photograph. I used my first digital camera to do a lot of macro work, and it was excellent for that. It had a very close focus and the Depth of Field couldn't be beaten for what I was doing.
I switched to an SLR because I wanted more versatility in my photography.
Like Josh said, if you can set you camera to full manual, there is a lot to be learnt with a small camera. Focus on technique and composition for now. There are things you won't be able to do very well, but there is a chance to find out if wildlife photography is what you want to do.
The smaller cameras also allow you to be more discrete in your photography. If you have any interest in candid life photography (street scenes, etc) these are a great way to start as well.
Cheers and congratulations on the camera,
Alex
Posted by Jeff Nadler on March 14, 2006 at 2:01 PM
Number one issue=shutter lag. For active moving objects, the delay is a major issue.
Posted by alicia valdes on March 14, 2006 at 3:51 PM
Thanks for the replys! Well, I dont really know about whether I can change its apeture of shutter speed, im going to have to read it manuel about that. But to answer your question Joshua, its A Fujifilm Finepix A345.
And well, I love to photograph animals really. My own pets, those in the backyard, at nature preserves here in florida, and even flowers. I also do quite alot of Macro shots, which is my favorite thing to do. But my camera does have a manual mode, but I havnt used it yet. Im reading here that I can set "exposure compensation" and "white balance". but im not seeing anything on apeture or shutter speeds though :/
Posted by alicia valdes on March 14, 2006 at 3:53 PM
Oh and yeah, I agree about the shutter lag x_x Its hard taking pictures of something moving and getting a non-blurry shot.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on March 14, 2006 at 4:26 PM
For non-moving subjects (such as landscapes), a very credible job can be done with a smaller camera. With a little pratice and patience, good macro shots are possible too. The most important thing, however, is to post the photos you take in the NPN galleries!
Well, the blurry shot might actually be the shutter speed, not necessarily the shutter lag. Shutter lag usually refers to the time between when you press the shutter and the time the camera takes the picture. With a higher lag the subject, if it is moving, can move out of the frame before the shutter opens and takes the picture.
From what I could see the Fujifilm Finepix A345 doesn't have an actual manual mode, you can't set the apeture of shutter speed. This makes it a little difficult to develop the techniques you'll use later if you buy a SLR.
Now, this doesn't mean that you can't learn about and practice composition (which is a large part of taking interesting photographs). There is a saying in lots of photographic circles that says
"If you can't make a great photograph of a mundane subject, then at least make a mundane photograph of an great subject".
Lots of us have spent tons of money buying expensive gear and then find that our "eye" isn't as good as we had hoped. That's why I take lots of photographs of the landscape and post 1 or 2 here, I've not got my "eye" for composition as refined as I'd like.
Take some photographs, save your money to buy a better camera, and show us some of your work.
Cheers,
Alex
Posted by Frank Winters on March 14, 2006 at 11:21 PM
Dear Alicia,
I used a little digital camera a rather early one, a Canon G1 (bought in 2000) to take landscapes. I took photos in my town's conservation land starting in 2004. In early 2005 I did buy a digital SLR. During this process I approached the town's conservation trust and offered to design a calendar using my photos. They accepted and we published a 2006 calendar with about 25 of my photos. Some of these photos were taken with my little camera. In fact the one we used for the cover was.
I am certain that excellent landscapes and macro close up images can be created with little cameras if you take the time and exercise care.
BTW -- the calendar sold out 2 printings and was considered a success.
Good luck with your new camera,
Frank
Posted by alicia valdes on March 15, 2006 at 1:39 PM
Well, I think the best shots I can take are non-moving and macro shots really, not like thats a bad thing though. But I havnt been to the NPN galleries yet, Ill go check it out, I think it would be cool to submit a photo and some feedback on it!
And yeah, my camera doesnt really have a mode for changing shutter speed, but I am glad I have because as you said, I can practice my composition. I have used SLRs, one time, in a photography class in 8th grade, but I didnt get to use it much. :/ But I am considering in saving up my money to buy one of the better ones one day!
And thats pretty cool Frank. I dont doubt that good photos can be taken with small digital cameras. I wanted tp do somethig similar one day, I mean, who knows right! ^o^
Discussion
9 repliesI think it depends on what you'd like to photograph. I used my first digital camera to do a lot of macro work, and it was excellent for that. It had a very close focus and the Depth of Field couldn't be beaten for what I was doing.
I switched to an SLR because I wanted more versatility in my photography.
Like Josh said, if you can set you camera to full manual, there is a lot to be learnt with a small camera. Focus on technique and composition for now. There are things you won't be able to do very well, but there is a chance to find out if wildlife photography is what you want to do.
The smaller cameras also allow you to be more discrete in your photography. If you have any interest in candid life photography (street scenes, etc) these are a great way to start as well.
Cheers and congratulations on the camera,
Alex
And well, I love to photograph animals really. My own pets, those in the backyard, at nature preserves here in florida, and even flowers. I also do quite alot of Macro shots, which is my favorite thing to do. But my camera does have a manual mode, but I havnt used it yet. Im reading here that I can set "exposure compensation" and "white balance". but im not seeing anything on apeture or shutter speeds though :/
Well, the blurry shot might actually be the shutter speed, not necessarily the shutter lag. Shutter lag usually refers to the time between when you press the shutter and the time the camera takes the picture. With a higher lag the subject, if it is moving, can move out of the frame before the shutter opens and takes the picture.
From what I could see the Fujifilm Finepix A345 doesn't have an actual manual mode, you can't set the apeture of shutter speed. This makes it a little difficult to develop the techniques you'll use later if you buy a SLR.
Now, this doesn't mean that you can't learn about and practice composition (which is a large part of taking interesting photographs). There is a saying in lots of photographic circles that says
"If you can't make a great photograph of a mundane subject, then at least make a mundane photograph of an great subject".
Lots of us have spent tons of money buying expensive gear and then find that our "eye" isn't as good as we had hoped. That's why I take lots of photographs of the landscape and post 1 or 2 here, I've not got my "eye" for composition as refined as I'd like.
Take some photographs, save your money to buy a better camera, and show us some of your work.
Cheers,
Alex
I used a little digital camera a rather early one, a Canon G1 (bought in 2000) to take landscapes. I took photos in my town's conservation land starting in 2004. In early 2005 I did buy a digital SLR. During this process I approached the town's conservation trust and offered to design a calendar using my photos. They accepted and we published a 2006 calendar with about 25 of my photos. Some of these photos were taken with my little camera. In fact the one we used for the cover was.
I am certain that excellent landscapes and macro close up images can be created with little cameras if you take the time and exercise care.
BTW -- the calendar sold out 2 printings and was considered a success.
Good luck with your new camera,
Frank
And yeah, my camera doesnt really have a mode for changing shutter speed, but I am glad I have because as you said, I can practice my composition. I have used SLRs, one time, in a photography class in 8th grade, but I didnt get to use it much. :/ But I am considering in saving up my money to buy one of the better ones one day!
And thats pretty cool Frank. I dont doubt that good photos can be taken with small digital cameras. I wanted tp do somethig similar one day, I mean, who knows right! ^o^