Fashion Blog Photography – My Camera

Posted in Blogging.

A couple of weekends ago, I popped into Jessops for some passport photos (which were refused, btw – apparently you’re not allowed to look like a drug addict on your passport) and came out with a DSLR camera.

It was a joint purchase and something Rob and I have been considering for a while. A great offer coupled with a touch of the impulsives and a very good salesman meant we were easily convinced, and after taking many, many photos I can honestly say it was thoroughly worth the money. But before I get into all that, I thought I’d write a bit about the cameras I’ve used in the past. Weirdly enough (because I really don’t rate my ‘photography’ much), I get asked about my camera quite a lot. And after reading Lily’s great post on her camera journey, I thought it’d be nice to tell you about mine.

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Ahem. A bit of a Canon fangirl, perhaps? 

These are the two cameras I’ve used to take all my blog photography since December 2010. In the very early days I had a Sony Lumix point and shoot which was a great little camera, but as I started blogging more and my interest in photography grew, I upgraded to a Canon G11.

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I bought my G11 on eBay for around £250. It’s second hand but came in the box with all the bits and pieces. It’s a brilliant camera – a bit more advanced than a point and shoot but without the faff of interchangeable lenses (which I’m quite terrified of). If you’re used to picking up a camera and taking a photo on auto, the G11 is great for learning a bit more about the manual settings and how you can fiddle about with them to get a better image. It’s also quite small and compact, making it perfect for events and nights out.

After a year of shooting with the G11, I learnt lots about camera settings and how to use them. And with my interest in photography growing, I decided to make the leap from point and shoot to DSLR…

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This is the Canon 500D. As mentioned, Rob and I bought it at Jessops – there’s a newer version now (the 550D) which is why this one was a bit cheaper. With this offer, it was just shy of £480 for the camera with an 18-55mm and 75-300mm twin lens kit.

I have to tell you – I’m still a bit scared of this camera. It’s a proper camera, and I am by no means a proper photographer. I’m also determined not to be a typical fashion blogger with a DSLR on auto. But despite my fear, it’s actually very easy to use if you understand the basic principals of photography. The controls are similar to the G11 and I am in LOVE with the manual focus. Yes, it’s scary to hold (so big! So precious!) and the first time I took it out on the tripod I felt like I’d left a newborn baby balanced on a window ledge (or something similarly precarious). But the difference in the images is amazing – they’re crisp, clear and vibrant.

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This is a 75-300mm ‘telephoto zoom’ lens. Different lenses are a completely new territory for me and I haven’t done much with this yet – according to Canon it’s great for sports, portrait and wildlife photography, so I’m looking forward to trying it out.

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My final ‘bit of kit’ (totes profesh) is this remote. I can’t tell you how much of a difference this has made to my outfit photos. I bought this along with my new camera for about £22. Before this, I was using the self-timer mode and running back and forth from the camera after every shot, which often threw it out of focus. With the remote, I can set the camera up on my tripod, get into position (my best fashion blogger pose) and press the button, which prompts the camera to focus on the scene and take the shot. I can now take 20 shots in just a few minutes, which is amazing when you’re standing outside taking photos of yourself with a tripod. Less time means less chance of being ‘discovered’ and embarrassed!

I know I’m not a professional photographer and wouldn’t even describe myself as a hobbyist (not yet, anyway), but I really enjoy taking pictures and feel really proud when a photo turns out well.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with photography – what camera do you use? Any tips or tricks to share? Are you confident when shooting or still learning, like me?

35 Comments

Cat

The Texan and I use the Olympus Pen with a couple of fancy lenses – I’ve been really impressed with what it can do, especially given that it’s not meant to be a professional camera. But photographing my outfits on an almost daily basis has taught me that while anyone can have an amazing camera (if they have the money), it takes a lot more to take an amazing photograph. Natural light is everyone’s best friend, but really practice is the key thing. I look back at our photos from a year ago and it’s amazing what a difference a year of practice makes. Not that you need to know this – you’re a pro! Looking forward to seeing the camera in action!

Cat xxx
http://www.takecourageblog.com/

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Jen

Absolutely, Cat! Although wouldn’t call myself a pro… 😉

One thing I want to learn is how to use the flash properly. Every time I use it the images look hard and artificial but professional photogs always get such great results.

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bangonstyle

I love my Nikon D300 and my new remote off Amazon for 32.99 is genius!! I’d love to learn more about settings etc though x

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Kylie Memoir Mode

I think you have lovely photography. I have the same camera and adore it (same deal as you at Jessops). I highly recommend you getting the 50mm f1.8 lens. Its about £80 and doesn’t zoom in and out, but it does fantastic portrait shots (really blurs the background and isolating your subject)and you don’t really need flash for low light conditions (perfect for events). Can you tell I am really passionate about this lens? haha. Anyway enjoy your new piece of kit 🙂 x

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Jen

Thank you, Kylie! A few people have mentioned the 50mm lens so think I’ll check that out. Sounds amazing! x

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Pip

I definitely need a remote – I’m another tripod user, and the endless dashing from camera to ‘pose place’ means getting good quality, cbbnon-embarrassing photos takes forever! I definitely need a DSLR, but I – like you – am a bit scared, and splashing out on a fancy camera that I don’t know how to use doesn’t sound like a good idea to be honest! I may just save up for a better point and shoot :L

Pip x

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Jen

I really would recommend the G11 or G12, Pip – still a point and shoot and very easy to use but a better image quality and lots of settings. Keep an eye on eBay for bargains! x

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januarysublime

Ahh what a beaut, and the twin lens pack sounds like a bargain!
I’m currently using a third-hand Canon 350d, very tatty but can’t afford an update so am looking about for a good lens to take portraits, any suggestions?

Dee x

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Jen

Hi Dee, the guy at Jessops told me the extra lens I got, the 75-300mm, is great for portrait shots. Some people in the comments have recommended the 50mm for portraits too, so might be worth checking them both out! Hope that helps.

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Hannah

Oh great deal you got there Jen. I have the 550D and love it to bits. I have the same 2 leness and a 50mmm 1.8 which I definitely recommend getting as it’s only about £60 and great for low light as the f stop goes down to 1.8 plus you can get great bokeh. The 75-300 isn’t really that great for sports photography I’d say but it’s great for wildlife and also for fashion shows when you’re a few rows back so I definitely recommend bringing it along to fashion week. I keep meaning to get a remote and that ones looks so slick! The camera is so easy to use, keep the ISO on auto so all you have to worry about is changing aperture (Av) and shutter speed (Tv). Have fun 🙂

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Jen

Thanks Hannah! Great lens tips, will look into the 50mm one. Can’t wait to try this beauty out at Fashion Week! x

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Anonymous

Hi Jen
I have the 550D and love it too although am still learning how to use it. There is a guy called R J Bradbury who has done a whole series of tutorial videos on the 500D on youtube which are really quite good and have helped me a bit. http://www.youtube.com/user/rickjbradbury/videos
Look forward to seeing your photos.
Laura x

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Kelly

I love the look of the G11, compact yet great photos.
I have started using Andy’s Nikon D80 which is amazing but incredibly scary to use. The photos look so much better, and my little Lumix is sadly no comparison.
x

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Chloe

Buying my Sony DSLR was one of my best ever purchases. I was stuck with what camera to buy and really wanted a DSLR with my birthday money. I decided to go with the Sony one just because it had great features, and quality and was a little cheaper, I’m not a pro so didn’t really need anything more flash, I just wanted it to document my memories, and of course for my blog, plus I LOVE taking photos. I am thinking about upgrading now though. Let me know how it goes with the Canon as I’m not sure which one to upgrade too.

C x
http://www.memoirsofalittlethingcalledlife.com/

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Jen

I’m exactly the same, Chloe! I just love taking photos and I think it’s nice to learn a new skill while you’re at it. Will definitely let you know how I get on. x

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jemmalouise

brilliant post! I have the 500d too, and I still don’t know how to work all of it ha! I deffo need a remote too, may buy one soon!

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Kate

Getting a remote changed my life, not just for the trials of being a blogger, but for normal photography. Even when using a tripod you can get ‘camera shake’ so I use my remote every time I use a tripod just so that I never get any blur. Can’t remember who taught me that tip. Also I recommend getting Hot Shots, a little book by Kevin Meredith. It completely changes your idea of photography & gives you brilliant pointers & inspiration for future photographs.

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Jen

Thanks Kate! Love the sounds of that book, will definitely put it on my list! Great tip about the tripod, too.

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jimmi lou

Congrats on the new purchase! I got a 600d last year still learning though, I ahve to admit I have been very slack or too busy to sit down and learn a bit more about it. The remote is a lifesaver for me, I’d love to get a new lens though as I have the one that came with it only!

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Jen

Yep, that’s exactly what I thought! I would definitely recommend the G11 or G12 (newest model) as an introduction to manual photography. Good luck!

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Stylonylon

Am a huge Canon fan too – have a G11 and a second-hand 400d. The shutter release remote is so handy for self-portraits! Especially combined with the G11 flip-out screen – which I’ve just started using for pics on my blog! As for lenses I too would totally recommend the 50mm 1.8 which is an amazing price for about £60. Though they do break, eventually, and quite easily too. I then stretched to the much more pricey 50mm 1.4, but so worth it in terms of image quality. It’s the only lens I ever use on my DSLR now… Looking forward to the pics!

Julia
stylonylon.com

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Peacock's Hat

I would really like to buy myself a ‘proper camera’ but just do not have the disposable income at the minute, not with trying to save to move out and possibly intern! I am going to go on a spending ban soon though, so may try and use the money from that to buy myself something good.

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Jen

I would definitely recommend eBay for a cheaper way to buy cameras – there are lots of official refurbished models on there that sell for much cheaper, or you could buy second hand like I did with my G11. If you pay with PayPal you’re always protected too. It’s just about hunting down that amazing bargain! 🙂

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Katie

I just got a 1100d because it was all I could afford, but I love it. I have no idea how to use it to its full potential yet but I think the whole learning process is part of it. I’ve only ventured into the auto settings so far, so I still need to conquer the manual ones. I love the remote idea, might have to get hold of one of those.
I bet you’ll be a pro soon enough!

justaleitmotif.blogspot.co.uk

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