You don’t need a DSLR camera, here is why.
By: Vijay Balasubramanian
Tags: Decision Making, Camera, Dslr, Hobbies And Interests, Photography

This will be a short note where I hopefully convince you against taking the stupid decision of buying an SLR camera and letting it collect dust in the corner of the shelf that you never even bother to open.

Photo by Mario Calvo on Unsplash

Yes, these things.

I own one of them and I know how difficult it is to keep up any motivation of using them regularly.

Now straight to the point

1. If you just want good photographs, get a nice smart-phone with a killer camera. Most modern smart-phones have tremendously capable cameras. In fact you usually get a much larger canvas and a lot more detail, when you are just shooting pictures for Facebook or Instagram.

2. If you are traveling to a new country and want to get a camera to shoot your experiences there — sit down and relax till that feeling goes away. There is no simpler answer to this thought than — just DONT! Pamper yourself with a top-end smart-phone instead. You can take thousands of pictures and it will be easily available to you without any additional load or luggage. Besides, people will not bother you to take pictures of them.

3. If you want to start an amateur photography page on Facebook in the hopes of getting laid — Ha ha ha! Ask fellow photography page owners how that worked out for them. I am sure that they would paint quite the ‘picture’ of their non-existent exploits.

4. If you have money, but never had a hobby and think that Photography will serve as a hobby — You are wrong. This is even more so, if you are bat-shit-lazy. A camera won’t find you a hobby. If you have money, invest in a mutual fund. Save it for a rainy day. Buy a bicycle or better yet, get a short-term gym membership. Don’t get a camera.

5. If you are a good shot with your smart-phone and want to step-up your shooting game — think. Unless you are going to really make shots of wildlife, weddings, architecture or such, you can simply continue using your smart-phone. There is no need for you to splurge money on a camera. Bokeh effects are great on smart-phone cameras that comes with F1.7, 1.6 and even 1.5 apertures

6. If you see someone posting great Instagram photos and want to do the same — Ask that someone or a closer photographer friend to take shots. They will be happy to oblige if you buy them lunch or a beer. It is much easier, much faster and a whole lot cheaper. Praise their photography skills even if they suck. It is worth the great photos you will get from an SLR.

7. If you want to look great at weddings or other occasions, make a special request to any of the thousand DSLR-walas at the wedding. There is surely someone who is close to you or your friends shooting with an SLR, they will happily send you the pictures if you as much as talk to them. The other easier way is, praise the bride’s makeup (yes bluffing works here)and she will ensure that the pro photographer there(there is only one at every wedding) takes 5–6 clicks of you with the bride. Be a bitch/douche and cut her out later. Don’t praise the groom’s make up, at best he will be embarrassed and at worst he break your knuckles with a fist-cruncher handshake for calling your bluff.

So OK, who should actually get a camera then?

1. You should live and breathe photography.

2. You should actually feel the need to keep getting better and better at taking shots

3. You should be active enough to pull your ass out of bed weekend after weekend

4. You should be bold enough to be found with a camera most of the time

5. You should have the time to sit and edit them(if that floats your boat)

6. You should be OK to carry around 2–3 Kilos of extra luggage everywhere you go. Literally — everywhere, even the washrooms.

Hope this helps.

Bottom line - You should actually like taking photographs or have the penchant to become a professional.