We frequently receive questions regarding the cameras we use or how we take our pictures. So here are some quick answers to enlighten those curious about these things:
Cameras: While A. and E. have pretty nice machinery, S. uses a simple point and shoot Canon Powershot SD750. Sometimes she gets to use her fiance’s Canon EOS Digital Rebel TX, which takes great motion shots (on the Sports setting) and makes for better quality images altogether. For simple portraiture, however, the Canon Powershot has served her well.
A. uses a Nikon D50 and E. uses a Nikon D40. These are the cameras generally used when photographing How-To’s or our Fashion 101 modules on color.
Photographer: The majority of our pictures are self-portraits taken with a timer and by placing our cameras on a table, stair, mailbox, or some other convenient stationary object. On occasion, we take each other’s pictures or have a partner play photographer. A. and S. have also invested in a small portable tripod, while E. has acquired a small remote control.
Tips: None of us have any formal training in photography and we have been learning a lot while working on this project and experimenting on an almost daily basis with angles, lighting, and composition. We’ve learned that an uncluttered background works best as well natural lighting! Outdoor, indirect lighting tends to produce the best pictures, so balconies, backyards, or front porches have become our favorite photo shoot locations.
I use a Canon Digital Rebel, a tripod and a remote for most of my pictures now. Buying that remote was probably the best $25 I’ve spent in recent months :) It makes taking pictures so much easier.
I rarely get to use HM’s D50s, but when I do? Mmm. A good reminder that fabulous equipent DOES make a difference.
Great post! I’ve just started blogging, and I am learning a lot about photography — Photoshop, different settings, how nice it is to have a tripod. It’s gonna take some practice to produce really nice pics. Can you suggest any good blogs/Web sites for beginning photographers/Photoshopists? Any good tips for Web photography in specific?