Cheap-o Cameras!
I want to give substance to that saying that every photographer knows, but hardly any live by- "it's not the camera, it's the photographer..." Is it really JUST about the photographer, and not about the camera AT ALL? Well no, you probably can't get these images with a disposable film camera. But, MUST you have that incredibly expensive camera / lens? Having it might make things a bit easier, AFTER a year or so of mastering such advanced equipment, but in reality you can do beautifully with some surprisingly affordable gear!
Camera: Nikon D70 $200-$300 (used)
Lens: Sigma 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 $100 (used)
I have tried many times to "beat" this image with my newer, more professional (expensive) gear, and I honestly cannot. Why? Because quite simply it is a unique moment that I just HAPPENED to capture with extremely affordable gear. Having a new camera isn't going to create another moment this unique.
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Sigma 70-300 f/4.5-5.6
Finding the right light and a strong subject is far more important than ANYTHING else. If I had slept in, and then come upon this scene later at around noon, having a better camera wouldn't matter at all. Mid-day light just isn't nearly as beautiful as early morning light, especially for this composition here.
I'm not saying put your camera away if it's not sunrise or sunset! I'm just saying that if you take a photo during the day in "normal" light, simply pause and ask yourself what the same situation might look like at sunrise or sunset...
The important thing is simply being there at the right moment, or seeking out the right light, with whatever equipment you've got!
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Sigma 70-300 f/4.5-5.6
Moving on, what about mid-day? Again, here's an image that prooves the theory...
It was about noon, cloudy, and I had nothing else going for me either. The wind was blowing, the background was distracting, the foreground was distracting too, not to mention throwing off my autofocus.
All I knew was, the subject was cool enough that if I could get a clear shot of it, composed halfway decently, the resulting image MIGHT be worth viewing. So, I just kept shooting away until I got something I liked!
In this case, there are two lessons to learn here:
Firstly, don't get discouraged by the "bad" time of day, or this or that distracting element, or the technical shortcomings of the equipment. I knew it was the "wrong" time of day, and I knew that I wasn't going to get a visually flawless composition. My autofocus was having a pretty tough time too, but I had an image in mind and I wanted to at least TRY!
Secondly, KEEP trying! I must have shot 100 or more images of this ladybug, following it through the weeds for at least 30 minutes. Half the shots were completly out of focus, some of the shots didn't even have the ladybug in them! The wind was blowing, the lens wasn't focusing fast enough, but I kept on clicking...
Now, let's assume that you're not even interested in the whole DSLR thing, and having to buy all sorts of lenses and expensive accessories. OR, maybe you're like me and have a DSLR but aren't interested in carrying it everywhere...
Are you just plain out of luck when it comes to making impressive images?
Definitely not! P&S (point and shoot) cameras can be an amazing tool if you take the time to master them. Instead of getting fed up with the little quirks and shortcomings that a particular camera might have, knowing the camera like the back of your hand and knowing how to work around things can be very effective.
Olympus C740 uz, 3.2 megapixels
(macro mode) (This camera is SO old, the last time I could find it at all on Ebay it was $75!)
One of the biggest things that people complain about with P&S camera is the speed and responsiveness. True, a P&S camera is not going to be as fast to focus or fire as a DSLR. But following the same positive frame of mind, this doesn't make things become IMPOSSIBLE...
It simply involves a little better attention to timing, a little better attention to the moment. It might involve taking a few extra bad pictures on the way to the good picture, too. As usual, I spent about 20 minutes and 50-100 images to capture this one "keeper"...
Olympus C740 uz, 3.2 megapixels
(macro mode)
It is also not impossible to blur backgrounds and isolate a subject with a point and shoot.
The same "RULES" of blurring a background apply- open up your aperture, zoom in, and get close!
Focusing can be a bit tricky in situations like this; luckily patience and persistence do NOT cost money...
Olympus C740 uz, 3.2 megapixels
(macro mode)
Actually I almost prefer P&S cameras sometimes, for the ability they give me to get super close WITHOUT an insane amount of blur. For example, if I had shot this image with a DSLR and a telephoto macro lens at this kind of magnification you would not be able to make out the shapes and lines that make up the rest of the flower in the background, they (and the katydid's back legs, and antennae) would be much too strongly blurrred.
Using a P&S with a macro mode, I'm able to get a much less narrow, more realistic view into the miniature world...
Olympus C740 uz, 3.2 megapixels
(macro mode)
My point is not to scoff at expensive gear, or to forego it even if you can afford it. By all means, save up! Just don't ever feel inferior because of equipment you have or don't have. Don't ever exclude yourself from an opportunity, or ignore a scene, based on technical limitations or mental barriers.
The bottom line is that there are very, VERY few things that are "only" possible with expensive, professional equipment. Chances are, you can get any shot you want if you simply practice...