I'm a Beginner to Photography! Help! Part 1
So you’re looking to buy your first camera? Well, you've come to the right place!Now that you’ve decided to take the next step from iPhone photographer, I’m here to help you figure out where to even begin. Photography is more than pushing a button and applying your favorite VSCO filter. Yes, there are automated settings and things to help you make it easier, but to be a true photographer, you should learn how to shoot in manual, what programs are necessary, and more!
First off, you need a camera! Practicing on your iPhone is great, but you need a DSLR or mirrorless camera in your hands to learn from. What does DSLR or mirrorless mean? I got you. Today we’ll talk about what these mean and how to choose what camera fits your needs and wants best. The next part to this topic will be all about where to go after you’ve bought your first camera.
Me with my first camera, Canon Rebel T5 and my trusted 50mm lens in Clearwater, FL during my freshmen year of college taken by a friend.
DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex camera and has a mirror or prism inside that shoots the light from the lens to a viewfinder. The viewfinder is the little glass at the top that shows a reflection of what you are shooting. When you shoot on a DSLR, you are able to see exactly what is happening in front of your lens. The only downside is that you cannot see the changes of your settings through the viewfinder. The mirrorless camera does allow for this because there is no mirror, but a digital display.
Once you decide whether you would like a DSLR or mirrorless camera, neither are the wrong option, you must choose between a full frame sensor or an APS-C sensor. Stay with me now! Sometimes our budgets can make this decision for us, but if you have the budget I recommend starting out on a full-frame camera. APS-C sensors, depending on the crop factor, will add a zoomed length onto the attached lens. So, a 50mm lens can actually be shot like an 80mm lens or a 75mm lens depending on the body. APS-c sensors can still create beautiful images. I started out on a cropped sensor camera. You just may need to stand further back than you would with a full-frame camera.
I’ve listed some APS-c options below linked to some great Black Friday deals of some beginner cameras of various brands and models. I recommend starting out with one of these cameras, rent one before if you can to try the brand, and then invest in a full-frame option of the brand of your preference.
Photos from BestBuy.com
Great Beginner Camera Options: Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR with two kit lenses
My best friend, Ansley, on the day she bought her first camera, the Sony A6000 in Atlanta, GA.
There are always great deals going on with camera kits and even student discounts. Be sure to check other websites like BH Photo and KEH, or even Facebook marketplace. Starting out with used gear is also another way to save some money, but be careful of sellers who promote broken gear.
I hope this was a helpful start to your photography journey. I want to share with you my experiences starting out as I didn’t really have anybody who helped me with gear and things like that. Thankfully, people share their experiences through YouTube videos and blog posts like these! Keep an eye out for the second part of this post that will help you once you’ve bought your first camera.
Good luck!