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Is a DSLR right for you?

October 27, 2009 | Posted By: Troy Redington

Photo by Member Madmacks

Black Friday is right around the corner, and this year you can bet that there will be some great deals on DSLR cameras. But don't make that purchase based on discount percentage alone - Let's make sure that a DSLR is the right camera for you.

If any of the following apply, a DSLR is not the right camera for you.
  • You want a camera that will fit in your pocket, purse, or fanny pack
  • You have a budget of $200 or less
  • You never figured out how to program your VCR (SRSLY, these cameras have a learning curve)
  • The sole purpose of the camera is to take awesome "emo" pics of yourself in the mirror for myspace, or pics of your cats doing 'cat things'
  • You think that buying a DSLR will turn you into a 'photographer' and enable you to instantly start a new business taking photos at weddings, bah mitzvahs, or other events that are IMPORTANT to people. You DON'T want your work showing up here

    Photo by Member HolyBanana

    If you did not know already, a DSLR is a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. Aside from the common function of "taking pictures," a DSLR is really a different animal than the average* point and shoot camera.

    A DSLR gives you, the photographer, full control over aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Different combination of those settings produce all of the other characteristics of your photographic expression, like bokeh, exposure levels, saturation, blur. Those three primary settings will give you the ability to capture anything from stunningly sharp sports shots to long exposure nighttime shots.

    Photography is an art. A DSLR is the tool of choice for most photographic artists. However, like any tool, simply putting it in ones hands does not make one a master of it.

    Using the camera's A (Automatic) mode will enable anyone to take high quality images in pretty much any environment without knowing all of the settings. But, learn those settings, and a few basic rules of composition and you'll be producing photos to be proud of. So are you ready to put away your cell phone camera and start capturing those memories with a REAL camera?


    Additional Resources

    Holiday Camera Buying Guide
    Ultimate HDTV Buying Guide
    The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide
    5 Reasons Why You Don't Need a Smartphone
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    • Comments
    October 27, 2009 | Posted By: KayK
    I just spent the last 20 minutes on that your link (http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/)

    I have no life :P
    October 29, 2009 | Posted By: vlmyfox
    i almost think "Photo by Member Madmacks" is computer generated, it is so good!
    October 29, 2009 | Posted By: mudley
    Macks is one of my favorite. If you click the image it will take you to his flickr gallery. Thanks for commenting! Enjoy!
    November 3, 2009 | Posted By: samgupta
    This is a great article! I would love to pick up a DSLR and take up photography, but with work and school right now there’s just no time. I hope when I graduate (a long 1.5 years from now) I’ll be able to get a sweet camera at a low price :)
    November 5, 2009 | Posted By: madmacks
    Aww. I almost feel like society accepts me :) Great article mudley, unfortunately too late for me!
    May 26, 2010 | Posted By: pagaj
    great article...and website awkwardfamilyphotos
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