Photo Equipment

All You Need Is A Digital Camera

Today's digital cameras come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from super simple cameras built into your cell phone to high tech monsters. All do the same basic thing, capture an image. Some produce a better quality image than others and give you the ability to manipulate the image, but you can use any type to do the job. Here's a breakdown of features and limitations:

Camera Phone

Pretty good image (getting better with each generation)
Handy for quick on the spot photos
Makes good reference photos to use for perspective drawings
Some have no zoom so you have to move in and out
Most have no flash
Ones with 3 mega-pixels or less don't make sharp enlargements beyond 4" x 6" (10 x 15cm).

Point and Shoot Cameras

Available with more mega-pixels resulting in better quality images and prints.
Most have zoom lenses
Many have simple settings for many unique shooting conditions
Compact for travel
Better battery life
Most accommodate high capacity storage cards for the ability to take a large number of photos
Most have powerful built-in flash

Single lens Reflex (SLR) Camera

Produce very high quality images and prints (for display and publication)
Enlargements beyond 8"x10" (20 x 25cm) are very sharp
Interchangeable lens from extreme wide angle to mega-zoom
Many settings to alter the image and exposure
Powerful flash capability

Use a camera that fits you. Don't use one that's to complex unless you want to learn its functions or are willing to get instruction.

It is important not to totally rely on your high tech equipment to do all the work--it is just a tool. You are the artist and the camera is paintbrush and canvas.

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