by Julia Catherine Lee

Created on: October 04, 2009   Last Updated: October 05, 2009

There is something delightful about a good picture that captivates our imagination, a photo that warms our hearts. Timeless photos capture precious moments so we can cherish them for a long time to come. Every so often, nostalgia beckons and we find ourselves digging through old photos so we may enjoy those blissful moments one more time.

How does one master the art of photography, you ask. Often we are frustrated because the results fail to turn out the way we anticipated: an overexposed background (blown out background), the subject is dark (underexposed subject), photo with a bluish tint, an orange cast (incorrect white balance) and the list goes on. The world around us has evolved so rapidly in this decade, so much so that at times simple tasks of the past have become more complicated. That seems counter-intuitive but rapid advances in digital technology mean mastering the art has become more challenging for beginners.

The old Canon Point and Shoot and the old Kodak have pretty much been given up for dead. Before our eyes are a myriad of fancy camera gears with many dials and controls, intimidating at times and certainly more than what an average person can grasp quickly. We wonder if the secret to beautiful photography lies in these fancy and complex camera gears or with the person behind the camera? There is no doubt that a good eye for light and composition holds the secret to good photography. However, many pros will tell you that camera gears and a solid understanding of photography techniques go a long way in honing your skills as a budding photographer. The question then is how does one learn and master the art of photography? Unfortunately, there is no short cut. Learn, practice, persevere and above all, enjoy and have a blast.

So, for a start, you need a good digital SLR camera with a pro consumer lens. Pro consumer lens offer near professional quality capture at affordable price. There is a plethora of digital cameras to choose from today, with Amazon having the best selection and price for pro consumer cameras. Read up on reviews on the web. $500-$800 will get you an intermediate camera and a zoom lens, with a focal length of at least 28mm in the short end and 105mm, 135mm, or 200mm in the long end. 28mm to 135mm will give you the versatility of wide angle as well as medium zoom when the situation calls for it. You don't need the best or the most expensive camera set, just something you can grow into as you build your photography skills.

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