Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Photographic equipments

To many people, Photography equipment means a camera. That's not incorrect, but that's not entirely correct either, that's just a part of the whole truth.

Photographic equipments start from you, the photographer. This is one aspect which is mostly ignored. People just pay attention to the camera and forget everything else. The common thinking is - "to take better photos you need better equipment". Again, that's just a part of the truth, not the whole truth. The whole truth is - you need a lot more than just good equipments to take good photos, and that includes good eyes, good understanding of photographic concepts, grasp of strengths and weaknesses of equipments, presence of mind etc.

That said, photographic equipments are the tools that you use to create photographs. So it is necessary to have a good understanding of photographic equipments. In the paragraphs below I will mention some of the most commonly used photographic equipments.

1. Camera - The most prominent tangible equipment in the list. Camera is what is ultimately used for "capturing" the image. Cameras come in various types. We will discuss types of cameras in a separate write up. However, here we will just name some of them. Depending on various type of classifications, cameras may fall in any of these categories. Some may have more than one of these characteristics and fall in more than one category.

  • Rangefinder Cameras
  • Single Lens Reflex Cameras
  • Twin Lens Reflex Cameras
  • Film Cameras
  • Digital Cameras
  • Stereophonic Cameras
  • Interchangeable Lens Camera
  • Fixed Lens Camera
  • Point and Shoot Camera
  • System Camera


We shall look at these types in detail at a later time.

2. Lens - A lens is a very important photographic equipment. A lens may exist by itself (in case of a System Camera or an Interchangeable Lens Camera) or may be a part of a camera system, such as in case of a Fixed Lens Camera or a Point and Shoot Camera. A lens, when fixed in a camera body, targets to achieve utility and portability, whereas a lens, when assembled as an independent equipment, targets to achieve higher degree of performance.

3. Flash - If photography refer to making images using light, then it should not be possible to take photos in dark, right? Right, but only if there did not exist an equipment called Flash. A Flash (or a Flash system) is a device that enables one to take photographs in darkness (or in low light situation) where taking a photograph will either be difficult of impossible. Another usage of Flash is - to balance the light. A Flash can be used to neutralize harsh shadows while shooting outdoors on a bright sunny day (a usage commonly referred to as Fill flash). When a Flash is used in combination with many other Flashes, it is called a Flash system. In a Flash System, there is one Commander Flash and one (or more) Slave Flashes.

4. Tripod - A tripod is something many a people do not think much of. With the technology improving faster than ever (we are blessed we are living in this age) we have cameras that can take great photos handheld. But till only a few years ago, it just wasn't possible to shoot in anything but decent light to take great pictures that were sharp. Advances in technology has made it possible to produce pocketable cameras that take just more than adequately clean photos in good light. However, the greed for technological sophistication is not controllable. They trying to produce more and more capable cameras. For example, to shoot at 1000mm 2 decades ago you had to carry equipments weighing over 20 Kgs. Now you get the ability to shoot at larger than that focal length in a pocketable camera. However, to control those magnification holding those cameras is hand is no child's play. You need a tripod. That's not the only reason why tripods are needed. Basically a tripod (or a monopod) is a simple device that allows steadying a camera (system) when needed.


[... to be continued]

What is photography?

Now that we are here, let us firstly see what is photography? And while we are at it, we will touch upon a topic, which is often debated these days.

Technically, Photography refers to the art (and science) of creating images using Light. More technically, Photography generally refers to the process of creating images using visible Light. There are other forms of Photography where image is created using non-visible spectrum of light (called Infra-red), and that type of photography is referred to as Infra-red photography.

Another variation of Photography where light is used for recording not one image but a sequence of images at a frame rate that makes it possible to play them back as stream of motion pictures, is referred to as Videography.


Is it an art or a science or a philosophy?


It is a little of everything. It's a science, because if there is no science, there will be no Photography equipment. It's an art, because it is all about creativity. If there is no creativity, photographs will appear as dull images. It's the creativity of a photographer that makes it interesting (interesting enough to preserve for years/decades/centuries to come). It's philosophy because, every photographer has his/her own ideas about what makes a good photograph. There are vastly varying opinions about what is good and what is bad. And it is not about the photographs alone, but also about the equipment and approach used to achieve them.

To me, photography is a way to unwind. It's a passion I have for recreating beauty of nature on a piece of paper or on a electronic display device.

Whatever it is to you, it is great. Whatever it is to you, it is great. Because I am fully convinced, no matter what your reason, ultimately it will be your passion as well. And if that's the case, it doesn't matter a lot, whether it is an Art for you, Science or Philosophy. Just go ahead, pick your tool and get started.

Happy clicking!

-- Ranjeet Rain

Welcome to Photography 101

Welcome to Photography 101.


Photography 101 is intended to be your one-stop shop for learning about photography. As of now I plan to have tutorials on basics of photography, explanation of commonly used terms in photography parlance, and tips and tricks related to the trade. Hopefully, this blog will start as planned and grow with time.

As a blog is a means of communication, and communication is richer if it is two-way. This blog will be more useful to visitor if you comment and participate in the way you can. Hopefully, with your participation and support this blog will become one of the best photography blogs.

Thanks for visiting this blog, and let's get started.

-- Ranjeet Rain