INTRODUCTION
The term 'photography' literally means to draw with light. If we break the word down:
- Photo - a Greek word meaning light (another example - PHOTOsynthesis - creating energy from light)
- Graph - a Greek word meaning to write or draw (think of GRAPHite - a drawing implement)
The first thing to know about photography is a camera does not create spectacular images, a photographer does. A better, more advanced camera will make photography easier and quicker if you know hoe to use it, but it will not improve your skills or understanding, the same way that professional standard paintbrushes won't make you an artist, or a well constructed instrument won't make you a musician. What will improve you photography is a greater understanding of how to take pictures, knowing how lighting and different angles will affect your picture, imagination and creativity. You will need to experiment with your camera, find out how certain angles, lighting effects and so forth will affect your picture, how to correctly compose the image and learn to manually adjust your camera settings to achieve desired results rather than relying on automatic settings.
Here's an analogy for you: If Jo the pro had a 5mp disposable camera, and Fred the beginner had a 24mp SLR camera, Jo's pictures would still be superior. Fred has no knowledge of how a camera functions, his images are still liable to be out of focus, under/over-exposed, blurry or badly composed, whereas Jo will have an understanding of light and how it affects the picture, will take time to compose the picture, get it focused etc. the moral of this story...a good camera won't make you a photographer, only practice and experience can.
- Photo - a Greek word meaning light (another example - PHOTOsynthesis - creating energy from light)
- Graph - a Greek word meaning to write or draw (think of GRAPHite - a drawing implement)
The first thing to know about photography is a camera does not create spectacular images, a photographer does. A better, more advanced camera will make photography easier and quicker if you know hoe to use it, but it will not improve your skills or understanding, the same way that professional standard paintbrushes won't make you an artist, or a well constructed instrument won't make you a musician. What will improve you photography is a greater understanding of how to take pictures, knowing how lighting and different angles will affect your picture, imagination and creativity. You will need to experiment with your camera, find out how certain angles, lighting effects and so forth will affect your picture, how to correctly compose the image and learn to manually adjust your camera settings to achieve desired results rather than relying on automatic settings.
Here's an analogy for you: If Jo the pro had a 5mp disposable camera, and Fred the beginner had a 24mp SLR camera, Jo's pictures would still be superior. Fred has no knowledge of how a camera functions, his images are still liable to be out of focus, under/over-exposed, blurry or badly composed, whereas Jo will have an understanding of light and how it affects the picture, will take time to compose the picture, get it focused etc. the moral of this story...a good camera won't make you a photographer, only practice and experience can.
MEGAPIXELS
Many people mistakenly think that megapixel count is a measure of the cameras picture quality, this is not entirely the case. More megapixels can allow you to make larger prints, but does not necessarily mean better pictures. In terms of print size, for a full page A4 print 6-8MP is adequate, for small 4x6 prints and for display on a monitor 3-5MP is fine. Large megapixel counts are only really required for large prints and should only be accommodated by a large sensor for good consistent image quality. The quality of an image is largely determined by the construction quality of the camera;- size of the image sensor, internal software, quality of the lens and so on. The actual difference between, say, a 5 and an 8 mp camera is barely even noticeable, you would need to at least double the linear resolution (i.e. quadruple the megapixels) to make any obvious improvement, though it is important to note that other factors such as colour and sharpening algorithms are far more significant. Even a tiny increase in linear resolution (resolution being how many pixels are counted horizontally or vertically when describing a stored image) can dramatically increase pixel count.
Unfortunately megapixels have very little to do with picture quality, in fact increased megapixels can actually diminish picture quality, especially when crammed on to a small image sensor. There is an overall increase in image noise as more megapixels are crammed in, however, there has been some improvements in semiconductor process technology which mitigates the problem. These smaller pixels on large mp cameras are less sensitive to light, which results in increased image noise, particularly in dim light, overcrowding pixels can also make the image more prone to error. Point and shoot cameras are most affected. There are, however, cameras with built in noise reduction technology as well as computer programs available to help reduce the problem.
Unfortunately megapixels have very little to do with picture quality, in fact increased megapixels can actually diminish picture quality, especially when crammed on to a small image sensor. There is an overall increase in image noise as more megapixels are crammed in, however, there has been some improvements in semiconductor process technology which mitigates the problem. These smaller pixels on large mp cameras are less sensitive to light, which results in increased image noise, particularly in dim light, overcrowding pixels can also make the image more prone to error. Point and shoot cameras are most affected. There are, however, cameras with built in noise reduction technology as well as computer programs available to help reduce the problem.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHOTOGRAPHS AND SNAPSHOTS
While snapshots are simply a visual record of a subject, photographs require technical skill. They contain an artistic element which is dependant on the photographer and their ability to compose a picture well. A snapshot is meaningful to the photographer, containing an image which has significance to the photographers life such as friends, family, places etc. A photograph appeals to a wider audience as the image has more intentional visual input. Photography is an art form, if there is no apparent artistry in the picture, it is a simple snapshot.
THREE MOST COMMON TYPES OF CAMERA
COMPACT CAMERA/ POINT AND SHOOT
These cameras are generally used using the fully automatic settings, the photographer simply points the camera tat the subject and clicks the button, thus the name 'point and shoot'. They do not require any particular skill to use, are simple to operate and are widely available at an affordable price. They tend to be light weight and easy to carry around but you have limited control over the outcome of the picture, automatic settings are not always reliable. Unfortunately, the camera is rarely as smart as the photographer so the results can be poor under certain circumstances. Point and shoots also suffer from parallax error when an image is viewed from the viewfinder, which means what the lens see's isn't exactly what the photographer see's in the frame. The greater the camera is zoomed in, the greater the error gets, although this is not an issue when the subject is viewed from the LCD screen.
These cameras are generally used using the fully automatic settings, the photographer simply points the camera tat the subject and clicks the button, thus the name 'point and shoot'. They do not require any particular skill to use, are simple to operate and are widely available at an affordable price. They tend to be light weight and easy to carry around but you have limited control over the outcome of the picture, automatic settings are not always reliable. Unfortunately, the camera is rarely as smart as the photographer so the results can be poor under certain circumstances. Point and shoots also suffer from parallax error when an image is viewed from the viewfinder, which means what the lens see's isn't exactly what the photographer see's in the frame. The greater the camera is zoomed in, the greater the error gets, although this is not an issue when the subject is viewed from the LCD screen.
BRIDGE CAMERA
As the name suggests, bridge cameras are a 'bridge' between Point and Shoots and DSLR's. They tend to be slightly bulkier than point and shoots, while more compact than DSLR's, and like point and shoots, tend to have a fixed lens. Their larger size also accommodates are larger image sensor, as well as offering faster auto-focus, reduced shutter lag and high megapixel settings to allow for print quality images.
SLR/ DSLR ([DIGITAL] SINGLE LENS REFLEX)
SLR/DSLR cameras operate differently to digital compact cameras, they allow light into the camera body differently to how a point and shoot does. An SLR works by reflecting light upwards through a pentaprism, allowing the image to be seen. when the photographer takes the picture the mirror flips upwards allowing light to reach the film/ digital sensor at the back of the camera. These cameras allow for greater control over the photography process and allow the photographer to take images not always possible with a Point and Shoot. These cameras also have interchangeable lenses so the most appropriate lens may be chosen for the job.
SLR/DSLR cameras operate differently to digital compact cameras, they allow light into the camera body differently to how a point and shoot does. An SLR works by reflecting light upwards through a pentaprism, allowing the image to be seen. when the photographer takes the picture the mirror flips upwards allowing light to reach the film/ digital sensor at the back of the camera. These cameras allow for greater control over the photography process and allow the photographer to take images not always possible with a Point and Shoot. These cameras also have interchangeable lenses so the most appropriate lens may be chosen for the job.