10) Brand names

What camera should I buy? This is a prevailing question from the beginners to the pros. What camera system is the best? This can be an endless debate, one that can become a hobby in and of itself if not properly curbed at some point in time.

We’re putting this at the bottom of the list but it does enter into the psyche of photography. There’s just something about holding a Hasselblad that puts you in a different mood than holding a Casio compact digital (as great as the Casio’s are). Brand names do enter in to the photographic thought process however and should not be overlooked.

To cut to the chase, let me sum it up by saying, if you're looking for a compact digital camera, Canon, Casio and Fujifilm are probably (at present) your best bets... Unless you're after something a little more specialized such as the Ricoh GR Digital or a Leica M body for street photography (technically not a compact digital, but the Leica's are small and quiet.

If you're looking for a DSLR (digital interchangeable lens camera system), you can pick up most any of the current production models from any of the big players and the biggest limitation will be the user behind it, not the equipment itself. These (digital compacts and DSLR's) are the two biggest markets for cameras at the present time and where I will devote most of focus for the remainder of these articles.

From the beginning of the 35mm SLR era (probably the most competitive of markets when it comes to brand names, as you are buying a system not just a camera) there have been swings in the market... Nikon held the majority market for a very long time from the introduction of its F mount cameras. Canon struck back hard in the pro market with their new (larger) lens mount, internal focus motors (quieter and faster) and image stabilization. Nikon struck again with the D1, being one of the first affordable professional digital SLR's (at $5000, it was economical and quite a revolution when compared to what was available at the time)... Canon got back in the game with their 1D(s) series and over time took a strong lead when it came to low noise at high sensitivities and features such as 24x36mm sensors (35mm full frame versus cropped sensors), high speed frame rates and other options many professionals craved. Recently, Nikon introduced the D3, which is poised to put Nikon back in the game for everything many professionals desired.

The point of this is no matter what, the grass will be greener at some point on the other side of the fence. If you allow it to, that is. If you focus on what's happening in the other camp, you'll probably be disappointed at some point or another. Many of those who switched from Nikon to Canon are poised to switch back; at some point now Canon will introduce something better than what Nikon has and a handful will want to switch back again.

Far more important than all these features, spec reading and brand-washing is finding a camera that fits your needs, both now and for the future. It should fit your hand, should be ergonomic for you to use and make you want to use it... If the camera doesn't fit your needs or is difficult for you to use, then the features it may have over the next camera will be moot. The only true measure of what camera is best for you, is to go to the store, pick it up, take pictures with it, use it and make sure you are comfortable with it.

We'll discuss this process further in the next article.

A few recent pics

Still working on updating the coming articles, but until then, here's a few recent photos, once I finish editing the rest, I'll add a few more.

Thank-you for your time. :)

e y e ~ o f ~ t h e ~ b e h o l d e r ~ 3

e y e ~ o f ~ t h e ~ b e h o l d e r ~ 3
Originally uploaded by Klifton

This series is part of a topic I'm working on.

It is outside the realm of not only how I usually work but also the subject of my work. It has made me think a lot about my process and how it can relate to my mainstream photography.

In the meantime, think about what you can do to get outside your own box and comfort level and how it can relate to your photos.

What's important in photography?

Hi again!

I had originally planned this series for another blog, however it didn't really take off the way I had hoped. So, I am re-vamping it a bit and posting it here instead.

The photographic process is one that fascinates me inside and out. I don't think one can ever understand too much about the process; whether you are a photographer, a model, a bride-to-be or someone who appreciates art. There are no secrets here and the more everybody involved understands the process the better the photographs will be.

Again, this series is not just for photographers and I welcome input from others on what they feel is important. This series is mostly my opinion and therefore subject to flaw, but I think there's a lot that can be gained by simply thinking about the process and what is important. Ultimately it should be the images and the emotion they evoke that is important (hence the reason I chose the name "emotions Photography").

This is basically a top 10 list, we'll be starting at 10 and working up to 1. It is as follows and subject to change:

#10) Brand names
#9) The camera
#8) The lens
#7) The media
#6) Computer & Software
#5) Printing the pictures
#4) Knowing your equipment
#3) Composition
#2) Light
#1) Subject & Intent

I hope you all will follow along and provide your input. If nothing else, just putting this down in word form helps me to understand my photography better and I hope it will make you think about your images, whether you take them or you are a part of them!

New baby

Well, I figure the first post here should be about the pregnancy.

Last Christmas there were three grandchildren in the family (our twins and one niece), now this Christmas there will be no less than six grandchildren... Two of my sisters-in-law had baby boys over the summer, and my wife is due with yet another boy December 15.

Of course, there will be plenty up-and-coming on this in December! :)

The above was taken by a GE imager and a killer lens! The lighting is questionable...

Welcoming myself to the blog world

I figured I better get on this blog thing, especially since I look back with the twins and have already forgotten so many things and when they happened... So I figured it's time to start documenting to the world what's going on with the business and myself. :)

The wonderful little model is Miranda. She absolutely rocked and was a trooper!

D200 & 85mm f/1.4D w/ Lumedyne w/ 45" umbrella and 32" diffuser panel.