Why I prefer digital cameras to film cameras

Why I do not love film cameras:

Film cameras are actually pretty great and photographers are more inclined to use one when first starting out in this profession.  However, film cameras can be a bit tricky...

• You NEVER know how your photo(s) are going to turn out, yes, even when you are on the level with professionals. 

• Film no longer cost as low as $.50, $1.00, or so per roll.  Now, ONE roll of 200-400 mm indoor/outdoor film is $5, change, plus tax. 

• Film is no longer inexpensive to develop.  ONE roll of film (just for single prints) is $9.99 + tax.  Seriously, folks' - it is camera madness. 

• A lot of camera service shops no longer carry parts to old cameras (all brands). 

• With a 35 mm film camera, you cannot edit your photos on the spot, or adjust your camera's setting to specific functions (unless the model is less than say 15-20 yrs old).  

• You HAVE to know your lighting and how the light of day changes as the clock goes on. This can be hard to achieve, even if using a digital camera, if you do not have good knowledge on the topic. 

Like I said, film cameras are great but pretty much only when you are first starting out.

Other wise, your hard-earned money, should be put towards a digital camera. 

Here is a photo of a vintage 35mm Canon AE-1 film camera (not credited to me).

Why I love digital cameras: 

This happens to be the very same model in which I use and I am head-over-heels in love with it.

• Digital cameras are fantastic because before you click the "take photo button", you can have the option to see what it is you are capturing vs. not being able to see using a film camera. 

• Particularly with my T5i, I can edit photos while they are still on my camera, pre-upload to Lightroom or Photoshop.

• You never have to pay exuberant amounts for 35 mm film or have to pay to have your film developed (unless you want prints of your digital photos -- then you're on your own). 

• More often then not a local camera service store, such as Wolf, or Canon, will have the extra parts you may need (i.e: internal reflecting mirror, lenses, straps, even additional camera bodies, etc).

• The photo quality is sharper and you have the option of photographing in a HR format. ** HR = High Resolution, also known as HQF, "High Quality Formatting". 

• Other local area photographers would be able to assist you more if you used a digital in comparison to a film camera.  This is due to the fact that nearly 9 out of 10 photographers, now and days, prefer digital over film. 

• Ultimately, for me, there are just a lot more pros to cons when using a digital camera. 

 Here is a photo of a digital Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR camera (not credited to me). 

Which is the best camera for you?

My advice is to play around on either or until you have knowledge of photography 101: camera basics (such as: How to operate your camera, indoor/outdoor lighting, knowledge of ISO, manual mode vs. automatic mode, and so much more). Only YOU can really decide which you feel is better. I am a apart of a small community of photographers and approximately 1/3 of them prefer classic film to modern-aged digital and are very good with using them. So, you never truly know what will ignite that photo-taking-enthusiast deep within in until you try. 

Posing for newborns-12 months

As a photographer, it becomes aggravating when someone else says to another photographer (especially if that person is newer to the business) that "there are only so many poses a small child can be put into from newborn-4 months" is not only ridiculous but it is also completely untrue.  There are virtually any pose you can dream of with the use of the photographer's creativity, props, blankets, posing pillows and Photoshop/PSE.  Never allow someone else to tell you that you are limited in this field - the whole point of photography is show your passion for the work that you do and the creativity that you possess. Simply have fun with your work and explore uncharted avenues that you never knew toy could!


You can do the following:  1) Create a composite photo (combining and/or 'stitching' photos together is a popular term among the photogs of the world) where the mother's hands are used to aide in additional support for the baby/small child in holding them up when they are too little to do so themselves.

Example: Photo 1

 Example: Photo 2

Example: Composite result, final photo.

*I do not take credit for the three photos above*

Used from www.iheartfaces.com

Want to learn more about how to do a composite photo? Check out: Newborn Composite Photo Examples or How to composite an image for more tips. 

The second thing you can do when having difficulty posing your subject is to make the wise investment in posing pillows and/or props.  I recommend investing in both because you want to 'up the anti' the more sessions you do with newborns. Another words, you want to always be creative, therefore you often need props to do so.  A photographer does not always need fancy props in order to create a beautiful photo. However, it does not hurt you nor the child if you decide to splurge on fancier props. Have Facebook but cannot decide where to purchase props?  Then you need to check out Photography Props group on Facebook. These hard working vendors put a lot of love, time, thought, blood, sweat and tears into their amazing prop creations (Did I mention the group has 16,000+ vendors to choose from?).

I have learned all of these tricks, tidbits and more over the years and even I have to resort to google how to do something, especially if it is a skill I have long used and pretty much forgotten.  It makes for a great refresher course as well as helps new photographers develop their specific skill and/or trade mark.

I certainly hope this blog provides some good insight as well as assistance to anything photography related that has been bothering you -- see you all next time!  

Tips on how to take a photo at night

When it comes to taking a photo at night here is what can happen:

• The camera's flash will fire (if set to automatic) and the photo will more often than not become over exposed, causing the subject(s) to look too bright.

• The camera's flash does not fire (if set to manual) and the photo will more often than not become under exposed, leaving your subject(s) looking too dark. 

What you want to do is the following if you are using a 50 mm lens:

• Set your camera on a non-flash and/or non-firing mode

• Be sure that your ISO is set at 1600 (if your camera does not have an ISO this high, then you would need to first check your camera's ISO settings and read your manual about how to properly set it). 

• Set your aperture to 1.2 and your SP set at 60.

What you want to do is the following if you are using a 70-200 mm lens:

• Set your ISO setting at 3200

• Set your aperture at 2.8

• Set your SP at 60

Now, for me, I use either my Canon 35-58 mm lens or my 75-300 mm lens and depending on which lens I decide to use at that time, I set my ISO setting accordingly. 

However, it is very important to have an understanding of your camera's ISO settings.  Below is something that can help.

When choosing the ISO setting, you want to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Light – Is the subject well lit?
2. Grain – Do I want a grainy shot or one without noise?
3. Tripod – Am I using a tripod?
4. Moving Subject – Is my subject moving or stationary?

** Tip for beginners: ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. -- Another words: The darker the subject, the higher ISO setting you will need and the lighter the subject, the lower ISO setting you will need.