I had a moment of financial jealousy

[Deleted]

the other day at a DSLR workshop. I know, I know, roll your eyes at my suffering.

I had the cheapest camera in the room. Spent around $350 for it. The other moms (we were all there to learn how to take photos of our precious babies) had cameras and kits that cost 1k and up.

For some reason it made me feel really inadequate, even though I'm proud that I got such a good deal on my camera and I know I'm super fortunate to even have it and the funds to be taking this class.

Thought I'd confess.

[SVT]

People going to DSLR workshops are going to be more hardcore about photography, right? So they're more likely to buy the more expensive products?

[azphx1972]

I bet that had you taken a look at their financial balance sheets, you would have been ecstatic to own your camera instead of what they had.

[MN-Investor]

The thing is, a great photographer can take wonderful pictures with about any camera he uses, while a mediocre photographer can make even the best camera suck. I guarantee that if you learn helpful techniques and practice, practice, practice, you will be taking photos you can be proud of of your precious babies.

My brother took a photography class in college, and has been taking lots of photos since. He is just amazing! I'm sure his first digital cameras were less capable than what you have, but you couldn't tell by the photos he produced. So don't worry about the cost of the camera. That's only a piece of the equation. You can provide the greatness.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the kind words. I was feeling rather shallow.

[SVT]

Mar 30, 2011 0:53:42 GMT -5 MN-Investor said:

The thing is, a great photographer can take wonderful pictures with about any camera he uses, while a mediocre photographer can make even the best camera suck.

I'm sure that's true but usually, in my experience, people usually spend more money on something that they're into.

[happyscooter]

I have a top of the line camera that I bought 10 years ago before digital. I still use it even though I have a digital. A big piece of advice that I would give to you (other than try not to be jealous) is keep fresh new batteries at all times. It helps the camera stay in focus when you squeeze the button. I didn't think so but the last few pictures came out blurry until I changed the batteries.

Also, have some of those pictures developed. I dislike someone asking if I want to see their daughter's wedding pictures and I have to look at a 1 x 1 inch on a back of a camera. I would prefer 4 x 6.

[Deleted]

You got a great deal for a DSLR.

[Wisconsin Beth]

What's a DSLR asked the idiot?

[Deleted]

digital single lens reflex camera. Basically those huge fancy cams you see people toting around. I have really shaky hands (in part because of a medical condition) so all the photos I take with a point and click turn out blurry. The new camera I have corrects for that.

The camera bodies can run $500 and up and the lenses for the cameras can be anywhere from $150 and up. One lens I'd like to get is $600.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

It happens, it is human nature to compare what everyone else has to what you have. It's okay to think it.

What is not okay is to then go out and finance a $1k camera, since you didn't do that, you are good.

[Deleted]

What is not okay is to then go out and finance a $1k camera, since you didn't do that, you are good.

I was thinking of selling my food stamps . . .

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I was thinking of selling my food stamps

Use them to buy steak and lobster and then sell those.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2011 2:45:25 GMT -5 SVT said:

Mar 30, 2011 0:53:42 GMT -5 MN-Investor said:

The thing is, a great photographer can take wonderful pictures with about any camera he uses, while a mediocre photographer can make even the best camera suck.

I'm sure that's true but usually, in my experience, people usually spend more money on something that they're into.

"into" doesn't mean "good at". I love taking pictures, but I haven't the faintest idea about the camera lingo. I just know my camera has lots of fancy pants options and I love using it. Photography is more about the artistic aspect than all the fancy gadgets. Some of the most beautiful pictures I've seen were taken before the days of digital, back when you had a dark room to develop your pictures.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Ah. Thanks. DH and I are so not camera/picture people and I was too lazy to Google it.

I have moments of financial jealousy all the time - over other people's vacation land(more land, with a house on it!), my bff's ability to spend lots of time at resort spas (she can afford it) and just having more money than we do (a bunch of people on this board.) I know they made different choices than we did and I don't particularly regret those choices so I have to deal with it and move on, hopefully learning something as I do - either about myself or financially.

[azphx1972]

I think a little bit of financial jealousy is healthy, if it drives you to work harder.

I used to feel envious of the nicer, newer cars on the road, but then I changed how I perceived them. Rather than seeing them as physical objects, I pictured them as car payments floating down the street, while I happily cruised along in my paid for vehicle with no payments. That altered my attitude so that I was able to feel good about what I was driving , and I felt sorry for the people in the fancier cars.

[tea4me]

Mar 30, 2011 10:02:01 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

It happens, it is human nature to compare what everyone else has to what you have. It's okay to think it.

While I agree with this statement, some people on this board would flame you for it. Often times I have seen "don't worry about what other people have" or "you don't know their situation".

[resolution]

Your feelings were probably more influenced by the group situation/vibe than by any jealousy that you would normally feel. A group that is focused on a single topic can sometimes influence feelings and behavior in ways that people wouldn't behave one-on-one.

I had a similar experience when I went for a three day pre-marriage counseling retreat. I had never cared for flashy jewelry or a big fancy wedding, but in the group with the other girls all they could talk about were their fantastic plans. I felt a bit uncomfortable and a couple of the girls seemed to be looking down on me when I just answered that I was having a small family/close friends ceremony. It did make me feel like I didn't fit in, and kind of relieved when the retreat ended.

[tskeeter]

While a good digital camera is nice, what is really a great tool to "improve" your photography is photo editing software. Even modest editing software can help you take a photo that is absolute garbage and turn it into something that causes people to ask "what calendar did you take that picture out of?". Most of the time, just cropping the photo will improve the picture by removing un-necessary and distracting content. Another frequent improvement is adjusting the lighting. I took a photo of gargoyles on Notre Dame where the glare from back lighting on one side of the picture completely obscured some of the figures and figures on the other side of the picture were completely hidden in deep shadows. A little work to balance the lighting and some trade offs (I traded a brilliant blue sky for what looks like a white haze), and I had a very nice photo. This is basically the kind of stuff that a talented photographer used to do in the darkroom. Now we can all use the same techniques to turn ho-hum photos into something special.

I'm also finding that editing photos is making me better at composing the photo as I take it. I'm now more aware of how different aspects of the photo will look when it is completed.

[Deleted]

kari - you're so right about it being the group situation.

tskeeter - I was surprised to learn how much of the effects that I see in photos I really love are about processing. I'm not a fan of learning complicated computer programs so this will be a challenge for me.

[midjd]

Anne, have you checked out photojojo.com? It is one of my favorite sites, they have so many cool gadgets on there! Anyway, your comment on the computer programs reminded me of one of their products... it is a plastic keyboard skin that has all the Photoshop shortcuts on it. (Available for other programs, too). It is next on my list of things to buy, it seems like it would make learning those programs SO much easier!

Here's the link: photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/photo-app-keyboards/

[tskeeter]

Anne, I'm currently using Photoshop. Although you can do some pretty elaborate things, I usually only need to use some of the most basic functions, such as cropping and brightness adjustments. I find Photoshop pretty easy for someone who isn't very technical, such as me, to use. I've also used the basic photo editing software that came with an Olympus camera. Even that software allowed you to do great editing. The only reason I got Photoshop was because the Olympus software was more than 10 years old, so I decided to upgrade.

I think about it like this. You only get one chance to get the photo. With editing software, you get lots of chances to make the photo great.

[Deleted]

I'll look into photoshop - the photo editing software that came with camera is at least 10 years old too! I think DH said it didn't work with our OS.

[whoisjohngalt]

Your post made me laugh a bit. My DH is a very good photographer (not his profession). His camera cost A LOT more than mine and yet he says that mine is awesome, and he uses mine much more. So I actually get a kick of having a great "cheap" camera.

Point of the story, your $350 one could have been better than their $1K ones.

Lena

[debtheaven]

Anne I think we all get jealous sometimes, it's human nature. I honestly never get jealous of possessions but I certainly do for trips sometimes.

I have an ESL student (her co pays for her lessons) who is a VERY avid photographer. They live in a MCOLA (and not a great one). I think they are fine financially but they are certainly not wealthy. They are young too, like you.

She told me she has upgraded her camera not once, but twice since she got into photography a few years ago. It was visibly a priority for her.

All this to say, if you want to upgrade your camera, or buy a certain lens, there is nothing wrong with either saving up for it or telling your DH that that is what you really want for Xmas / BD / anniversary gift / any or all of that.

I think you are upset because you probably have a very nice camera but now you want a better one. Since you are into photography, if the new camera will give you joy and you can afford it, why not?

[Deleted]

Yes - I do want a better one! But the thing is that I'm really new at this - just a month or two - and the camera I have will probably do me for years before I ever reach it's limits. Realistically speaking I'm probably never going to notice the difference in capacity between the camera I have and far more expensive ones because I'm not a professional - I don't need to do landscapes that can be blown up to the size of a wall or catch a baseball in motion. So my desire is really kind of silly.

I think I am going to ask/save for some lenses though because the lenses I can keep when I change the camera body. I'm also full of enthusiasm right now - I'm loving my new hobby so I'm like a kid in a candy store. Oooh! I want that, lol!

[txbo]

I have wanted to buy a new camera a Canon T2i, but cannot seem to pull the trigger. My old Canon S3 IS has only 6 mp compared to the 18 mp T2i. However, I have never been embarrassed or felt inadequate about my camera. It takes great pictures that I’m proud to post on a photo site and have had almost 15,000 hits and numerous downloads of my work.

[MN-Investor]

You're only beginning. You've hit camera-envy. Next step: Printer envy.

You're going to be taking great photos. You'll edit those into excellent photos. Then you have to print them. On a $95 printer??? Oh no. That won't do.

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2011 9:50:46 GMT -5 MN-Investor said:

You're only beginning. You've hit camera-envy. Next step: Printer envy.

You're going to be taking great photos. You'll edit those into excellent photos. Then you have to print them. On a $95 printer??? Oh no. That won't do.

Or like my wife she can just pay someone else to print them for her.
She e-mails or upload them to apple and I believe they come to $0.10 to 0.25 depending on the size per picture and they mail it to her.

She got her current camera about 3years ago (About 750 for the camera and another 200-300 for lenses) and she really enjoys it. The only thing she wants are new lenses but she says she can uses the camera for a long time.

Best of luck with your camera and have fun with the new hobby. My wife was like 3 years ago when she just got into it and taking pictures of everything. But She still wants us to have a dark room when we buy a house

[Deleted]

I read this guy's site a lot prior to buying my camera. Here's what he says about the matter.

www.kenrockwell.com/tech/not-about-your-camera.htm