“It’s not enough to just own a camera. Everyone owns a camera. To be a photographer, you must understand, appreciate, and harness the power you hold!”
A recent post on a huge social media group reads…
‘5D mark iv or 6D mark ii? I need a camera for teachers to use, capturing their students in daily life. Most of them will shoot in auto, but there are a couple of advanced amateurs/hobbyists. Is the 5D worth the extra dough?’
What? You got to be kidding…right?
The Canon 5D MK IV is a professional-level camera and is not cheap weighing in not far south of £3000 and the 6D MKII (for keen enthusiasts) not much less than £1500. And these are BODY only prices. Put a good quality L series lens on these babies and you can double the price! And these ‘teachers’ in the social media post are going to shoot in AUTO?!!!
Seems to me it’s a bit like giving a Bugatti Veyron to a new driver in the belief that they’ll stay in first gear and feel totally relaxed! Nooooo! Drive a small family saloon until you’ve honed your skills…and then move up the ‘car scale’.
Same with photography really…learn your trade…hone your skills…learn everything there is to know about your camera and move out of ‘auto’ asap.
So here’s my little piece of advice, take it or leave it: Force yourself to get out of ‘auto'(and I do mean ‘FORCE’ yourself), stick with it, don’t throw the towel in when your frustration levels skyrocket, believe in yourself and trust the piece of kit you’ve got in your hands. Make it work for you. “It’s not enough to just own a camera. Everyone owns a camera. To be a photographer, you must understand, appreciate, and harness the power you hold!”
Or…just buy a ‘point an shoot’….nowt wrong with that if that’s all you need.
Meter the Light 