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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Myth Vs Truth


Myth 1: My photographs aren’t any good.

Truth: There is no such thing as an instant success. Everything starts from something small.  We may have taken hundreds of pictures but only a few turned out well.  The road to being a pro at something may not always be smooth, and a bumpy road is to be expected when we are starting to learn a new craft.  The trick is to stick with it and keep practicing.  With practice, as time goes by, abilities and skills will improve.

Myth 2: My camera isn’t advanced enough.

Truth: An expensive and advanced camera will not produce good photographs if we do not know how to use it.  Take advantage of the cameras at your disposal first, and optimally learn of its capabilities and advance your skills using it.  The camera isn’t the major determining factor in producing a good photograph; skills trumps fancy camera features.

Myth 3: Certain brands of cameras are more superior than others.

Truth: Every brand of DSLR cameras available in today’s market has been made to meet the same standards in producing good images.  The differentiating factor is the facilities in the certain models, prices, and ultimately the personal taste of the users.

Myth 4: A formal education in photography is better than self-learning.

Truth: Though an organized form of education may help in easing the learning of photography concepts, this does not mean that a self-taught photographer is inferior to that of a college graduate photographer.  In the end, it’s up to our willingness to learn, whichever way you choose to obtain these knowledge.  As they say, where there’s a will there’s way.

Myth 5: Good lenses are those with wide apertures.

Truth:  Not all lenses with wide apertures are good quality lenses.  Wide apertures if not balanced with good quality optics will lead to fringing and images will appear soft.  The best way to test the quality of a lens is to photograph using high contrast settings under extremely bright lights and check to see if the edges of the object is sharp and fringe free.

Myth 6: With a DSLR, no matter how you shoot the photo will come out nice.

Truth: It takes a lot more time, knowledge, effort and work to produce good pictures with a DSLR.

Myth 7: All good pictures must have good bokeh (blurred or defocused background) and DSLR can help you achieve that.

Truth: I do agree that DSLR helps to achieve better bokeh, but a great photograph does not necessarily need any bokeh at all.

Myth 8: Image Stabilization works wonders. It eliminates all blurring due to shake.

Truth: Image stabilization reduces blurring due to hand shaking, but it does not completely eliminate it. Furthermore it only works to a certain extent under permissible circumstances.

Myth 9: Skin will appear smoother and physiques will turn out slimmer and more attractive if you shoot people with a DSLR.

Truth: I do not have to explain what a funny misconception this is, yet so many people will hopelessly expect their pictures to miraculously transform into models being taken with a DSLR. If somehow you could not fulfill their ridiculous fantasies and they are not happy with your pictures, they would turn OFF. Fun facts: What you see in the mirror is what you get captured on the camera.

Myth 10: Do not worry if you could not get the shot that you desire, you can make anything happen with Photoshop (or any Photo-Editing software).

Truth: I believe Photo-Editing is necessary to further improve or enhance an already good and usable shot. It should not be applied excessively which would negate the original art of photography.

There are a lot more myths to be added to the list, but I guess I should make a stop here before it goes too long ;) .

Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM