A Photographer Without A Fancy Camera
Posted: Sunday, September 11, 2011
by Rebecca McKeown
Impish DIY
I am a photographer.
I don't say that often enough, but it's true. I love taking photos and one of my (many) acts as a freelance journalist is that of the photojournalist.
The second semester of my freshman year of college, I took on the role of photo assignment editor, where I took, assigned and edited photos for my campus's newspaper. The next semester I became the head photo editor--a position I held until my senior year.
Still, I never quite got the hang of bragging about my work, something many of my fellow photographers made a habit. Maybe that's why I'm writing this now. This is just another little attempt for me to say "HEY! I'm a photographer, too!"
Maybe the reason I don't shove my title in peoples' faces is because I don't have a fancy camera. You know, the kind with the big lens that zooms out about three feet and has a flash bright enough to blind an elephant. You know, the kind that costs several thousand dollars.
Yeah... I don't have one of those.
What I do have is your standard point-and-shoot which works fine outdoors and less-than-fine indoors. It's the kind every kid, adult, elderly person has.
It's something every photographer has as a laughable backup.
It's what I rely on.
UGH. Why do I have to be so broke? Why does a DSLR camera have to be so expensive?
Throughout my time as photo editor and local news intern, I borrowed the school paper's cameras. Now that I've graduated, I have nothing. And yes, a good camera and lens makes all the difference.
No matter how great my eye is. No matter how artistic my composition, a DSLR will always take the better picture.
I know plenty of people who will brag about how great a photographer they are as they swing their $6000 cameras around.
I say give them my point-and-shoot and see how well they capture the bead of water on a bird's beak as it takes off into flight.
Oh yes, I'm sure I'm bitter. I've just got a lot of saving up to do, that's all.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)I am a photographer too and most often use a very simple camera while the fancy one is in the closet.
My point-and-shoot is most certainly easier to carry around, but after using a DSLR I just get so frustrated with my little camera!
I love my little point and shoot for the photos I take. Granted, I am no photographer, but I snap landscapes and candid portraits now and then. Great article! :DWhen I'm not feeling grumpy and broke, I must admit my point-and-shoot is great for outdoor shots. The camera on my cell phone isn't bad for low-light shots, too. I've just seen way too many cocky kids with giant, expensive cameras running around. Thanks for reading and commenting!
well stated complaint, Melissa. Good luck on the savings. We're all more "broke" than we'd like to be. Please continue to submit to the Story Tellers group.
Tell us about a very special photograph you took with all the emotions that were involved.
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