Camera Cube

People often think that the better camera they get, the better pictures will come out. They are often mistaken. While I can’t deny that the better camera produces better images then the cheap one given circumstances are same, the one thing almost any photography teaching book got 100% right is that it’s not the camera that takes the picture. It’s the person who holds the camera.

So if I take good pictures - my pictures will be extremely good even if I take them with cheap single-use camera.

If my images are lousy - they will remain lousy even if I buy the most expensive camera on the market today. The lousiness will, however, be visible much better since it would be produced by a better camera.

So one you understand that single issue that haunts amateur photographers since the inception of the photography - you will understand that no matter how much money you spend on the cameras and equipment - your pictures will not be any better. That is - if you will stop learning how to take better pictures. If you inclined to spend money on this hobby - spend on something beneficial, like photography courses, light technique workshops or just find a local photographer who might need help and assist for free.

For example - let’s say you have one of the Canon’s best pocket digital camera - Canon PowerShot A570IS 7.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom. The camera itself isn’t a marvel, although I do like this series. However, try to approach taking pictures with this camera just as you would approach taking pictures with prosumer DSLR, like Nikon D40.

Think image composition, not the buttons on the camera - and let me know if it helped!

For years I have been taking pictures with Canon pocket cameras. Although I do my serious shootings with Nikon DSLR cameras, I use point-and-shoot Canons. They produce very good image quality, very responsive and feel just right for my hand.

Another reason why I use the Canons is that the camera I have right now is my third pocket Canon camera and I am willing to stick to it. Perhaps I am just too used to this brand. Canon A series cameras usually have good internal processor that gets your images just right. Since I tend to buy “prosumer” models, they have a lot of controls to play with, which is fun.

Additionally, Canons use regular AA-size batteries, which makes it easier to keep to one type of power source. All those weirdly shaped proprietary rechargeable batteries are a bad idea. Unless, ofcourse, you want the camera to be as small as possible.

Currently I am using Canon PowerShot A720 IS and I have found this offering on Amazon for Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera + 2GB Deluxe Accessory Kit for a very low price. Plus the actual vendor behind it has pretty good record on eBay, so check it out.

For starters - here’s the plugin I use to display latest pictures from Flickr on this blog. First of all - you have to have an account on Flickr. Get in touch if you want to - my screen name is cameracube. Once you are all set with Flickr - you may download the Flickr RSS plugin and set it up.

The problem that I have encountered was that I had no idea what’s the ID I must use for the plugin. The suggested ID search service didn’t work for me, so I am offering you a workaround.

In the picture you can see a screenshot. This is the screen you get when you click on You-> Your Photos. The highlighted bunch of numbers and letters is your ID for Flickr RSS plug in.