Starting The Journey

So now you have the interest to pick up photography as your new hobby but don't know how to start? Not to mention these myths are making you even more confused?

Common Myths

1. You DEFINITELY need to attend photography classes to learn the basics of photography
2. you need very high end cameras and those really big and expensive lenses to be good
3. you cannot learn by yourself and definitely need a tutor or someone to be babysitting you until you get it right
4. You need equipment such as tripod, flashgun etc to even start photography

Well I am now here to tell you that the myths are both true AND untrue

Now, what do i mean by that?

1)  You might need photography classes to have a better understanding, but it is not LIMITED to that. You can even self teach yourself Photography by seeing online tutorials, books and so on. Classes might help, but if you know the basics more or less, I would recommend you to Self learn or ask your fellow friends who are also into photography

2)  True, high end DSLRs do deliver better photos compared to entry level DSLRs and entry level DSLRs deliver better photos than a normal compact camera. But as the saying goes 'Just because you are a striker doesn't mean you can score goals' . What matters most, in fact is WHO is using the camera. An Example would be A total rookie using a EOS 1DX performing not as well as a professional photographer who is using a EOS 700D, even tho it's clearly evident that the EOS 1DX outperforms the EOS 700D in many ways.

EOS 1DX, used by real professionals, costs a bomb 

(cr: cinegrafistas.wordpress.com)

EOS 700D, an entry level DSLR, mostly used by beginners and intermediates

(cr: www.expertreviews.co.uk)

    It doesn't really matter what camera you use to start your photography journey. You can even just start out with something like a canon Powershot SX60 or Panasonic LUMIX ( these are hybrid cameras, which is both compact and offer most functions of a normal DSLR except that lens is IRREMOVABLE) and then upgrade to a entry level/ mid range DSLR like a EOS 700D or better

Canon Powershot SX60 HS, an example of a hybrid camera. 

(cr: www.fotosklad.ru)

Panasonic Lumix FZ-18, another example of a Hybrid camera. Hybrid cameras have a pretty much same functions like an entry level DSLR but the lens is irremovable. 

(cr: www.dpreview.com)

    Then Lenses. If you are not going to take it full fledged or just a beginner, just go with the lens that comes with your kit. Lens does not really matter till you bring photography to the next level.


3) This is  bulls**t. Please Don't ever heed to this at all. You CAN INDEED learn by yourself. That's how I did, with occasional feedback from teachers, friends and photographers whom i met during events. What matters is whether you have the discipline and full will to learn by yourself. Remember, NEVER GIVE UP :) that is the most important and basic principle to follow.


4) Again, true AND untrue. tripods are essential if you want to reduce camera shakes, but don't rely on it too much. If you do that, eventually You will be a cripple without your tripod. At some places, you aren't even allowed to USE your tripods, so what will you do then? It's best to Practice without the tripod at the beginning. It's just like learning to ride a bike. You fall now and then and eventually you can ride steadily. Low light areas are really tricky so you can't avoid using a tripod. Only for THAT is an exception.

An example of 'NO TRIPOD' sign. it's very common to find in places like museums 

and exhibitions (cr: www.flickr.com) 

     Flashguns aren't really of a need unless you are taking it to the next level or being those event photographers. You can consider these at a later point in time, after you have developed the skills of photography, as you need to operate, sync etc with your DSLR. Moreover it isn't really cheap to get those so it's best to buy them when you feel you are ready and feel that you want to bring it to the next level




Hope that the misconceptions have been cleared. Now the question you might ask now is 'What do I do next?'

Well look out for my next blog coming real soon!