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Why I Like Point & Shoot Cameras: Stumbling On A Good Photo

I own a very nice digital SLR, the Canon Digital Rebel. It's a great camera and takes some amazing photos. But it's bulky.

I'm probably like the vast majority of folks on AR. I'm not a professional photographer. So getting a good photo is a numbers game. I have a higher probability of getting a great photo if a take a LOT of photos. To do that, I need a camera I'm not uncomfortable carrying with me everywhere. It needs to fit in the side pocket on my carpenter jeans. That's a critical criteria. My SLR won't do that.

The Each year we haul our 6 kids cross country to our farm in West Virginia. My wife does a great deal of the driving and I work on the laptop to fill the time in between the "are we there yet" chimes. I also just snap photos out of the passenger window.

I've been seeing others post some of their favorite photos. I wanted to share one of mine. I shot this one out of the passenger window on our road trip this summer and I instantly fell in love with it. We were driving through Kansas and a storm was off in the distance.

kansas photo

I think the main reason I fell in love with this photo is that it just says "Kansas" to me. You can judge for yourself.

Now, because this is all about relationships, the fact that I take a lot of photos gives me plenty of reasons to share photos with friends and family. Even just snapping photos out the car window. Everyone seems to enjoy it. Or perhaps they're just humoring me. I may never know for sure. But until someone tells me to stop, I'm gonna keep doing it.

Jeff Turner aka respres

Posted by Jeff Turner on 11/30/2006 01:03 AM

Comments (55)

photography, cameras, photo sharing, jeff turner

Originally posted at: Turner's Perspective: Why I Like Point & Shoot Cameras: Stumbling On A Good Photo

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55 Comments on Why I Like Point & Shoot Cameras: Stumbling On A Good Photo

NOV

2006

Jeff ~ I must admit, I take photos out of a moving car window too. I find when I am in photo mode, I can see more beauty and have more fun. There's so many awesome sites to capture.

Your photo looks like Kansas. It looks like a good storm brewing...

Thanks. Most days I feel the same way, that a camera helps me pay closer attention to the world around me. There are other times, however, that I feel more like the lyrics from "3x5", a song by John Mayer:

"didn't have a camera by my side this time
hoping I would see the world through both my eyes"

I'm gonna keep taking photos.

Agreed. I have two cameras (actually more) the Canon like yours and a smaller one, that I carry all the time.

Nice image Jeff.

I also need to invest in a point and shoot. I don't care to use the dslr where there's lots of people around. My primary shooting lens is the efs 17-55 and together with the Rebel it creates a real production.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!"

Keep on taking them... and sharing them with us. It reminds us to carry our cameras with us and think of each other, our AR SubFamily :) There is so much beauty in the world to share with others, and it's increasingly easy, with email, etc...

We live in a wonderful time: When we were kids, we have to use FILM in cameras .. and DIAL phones. I'd better be careful or I'm going to DATE myself ;)

Once again thank you.. and keep these coming.

DEC

2006

Hi Jeff,

It's a little scary and ominous when you see the poor little tree in the middle of a great big field and a giant storm approaching.

Reminds me of the days when I lived in Mpls, MN. We were inundated with tornado warnings all the time.

Great shot....

Thanks Jay

DEC

2006

Yes, I think that is why I like it so much. The juxtaposition of the ominous storm and the lone tree. It's symbolic of so many things. I appreciate your appreciation!

DEC

2006

Just ran across this post....

You are right, THAT is Kansas! Great Shot....

Perhaps we should start a group called "Great Shots" just to share things like this !!

Fran, you may be right... photography is a broad topic.

DEC

2006

Jeff, I love the drama of that Kansas storm pic you've posted. Great eye you have.

First I look at this site, then my Canon self destructs ! Could it be more than a coincidence ? Actually, the problem seems to be a sudden distortion in the image. Went to a Canon forum and sure enough, seems others are reporting the same symptoms on several of the Canon products. Mine is an A75 Powershot which has given some outstanding pics w/o touching the settings. Called Canon tech support, they will pay for shipping, diagnose and report back. Users on the forum said Canon fixed/replaced plus free shipping if the problem was related to the distortion issue. I will keep you updated and upload a few of our Southwest Florida sunsets.

Bill... I've owned several Canon cameras and still use the digital rebel when I want to do something "serious." They have great customer service, typically. I'll look forward to some sunsets!

DEC

2006

Yes, I share the gift of photography with my friends and family too. One of my lifetime goals is to capture stories through my photography.... Much better than selling real estate on some days....

Loreena, yes! Some days taking photos is a true joy. I can get lost in it at times. It's one of the few true "hobbies" I have in life.

Great post Jeff. Though most will never admit it, professionals play the "numbers game" as well. When I see a great scene, like in your photo, I press that shutter button and hold it down! Nice composition out of a moving car by the way - horizon is level, single tree adds perspective and the sky dominates the frame making it look ominous.

Aaron, considering the quality of your work, I'm honored. Thank you!

DEC

2006

Absolutely beautiful picture. Stunning in its simplicity. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you, Debi. As I've said before, if you take enough photos, one of them is bound to turn out OK. : )

JAN

2007

Just invested in a point & shoot this year. The convenience of being able to carry with you with little trouble is fantastic. Nice Picture.

MAR

2007

I just had to share this with you... SVW... and LOL... Hubba...

LOL... Love it. And I haven't had a good listen to a good Garth Brooks 2-Steppin' song in a long time. That was refreshing! I'm particularly fond of that Pabst Blue Ribbon Menorah looking thing and the toilet seat horseshoe competition. Aint goin down till the sun comes up, aint givn in till they get enough! All that and a banana too? My what a good day this has become.

I knew you'd enjoy that Hubba...For whatever reason it made me think about you. LOL...

That must be a by product of knowing where you're from and what you drink :-)

Okay. I have to go comment on your post now before you have me towed.

See ya there.... SVW....

TLW...ROAR!

MAR

2007

Jeff -- Christy Powers here on AR just bought the 705 and has problems/questions. Maybe you can think of some answers for her ... Here's her blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/57748/I-followed-AR-advice

Cherly, thank you for alerting me!

MAR

2007

Great Photos..Love the Dogs...so would my Dentist!

Where can we get a T-Shirt?

Cheers, Have an Awesome Redneck Day!

Fred Carver www.fredcarver.com

MAR

2007

Jeff, as usual I'm late to the party.

I just wanted to add that I know one other professional who often carries a P&S camera for the exact reason you describe. They focus on print sales and they often sell great work that they took with the 'baby' canon, and the customer is none the wiser (nor should it matter).

Personally my rig is pretty large and only seems to grow, that said as it's my primary tool I am constantly trying to condition myself to lug it around regardless. I just can't live without the capabilities it offers, but that's more of a idiosyncrasy on my part than a fact of life.

Keep up the good work! :)

-B

MAR

2007

Bryce, my family thinks I'm nuts. I have more photos in iPhoto than anyone I know... over 6,000 per year, on average. It's truly ridiculous. :)

I like it that we have so many photo enthusiasts in our forum. Get out into your market areas and shoot away at the neighborhoods and area attractions. Post your photographs on Localism.com and earn points for your ActiveRain profile. To see an example go to Localism.com and select California, Orange County, and Huntington Beach. See what I have done for different neighborhoods. This will boost your ratings on ActiveRain and Localism as well as let you show off your photos. I was able to do this in two half day photo shootings. Of course uploading them is a pain and time consuming. I still have more to do when I can find the time.

Jeff, no way you have more images than me. Not even close, baby. :P

Of course quantity has nothing to do with quality, unless you are in HDD sales. Seagate and Maxtor send me thank you cards for ensuring their kids have a robust college fund.

Cheers, -B

MAR

2007

Jeff,

Good photo I do feel like I'm in Kansas!! TLW funny redneck video!!

Good Day!! have a cup of java and a smile on me :)

MAR

2007

Jeff, great photo. Yes, that's Kansas... Sometimes the best pictures are the ones we come upon.

DEC

2008

Great pic, Jeff. I too enjoy my bigger camera but love to have something smaller handy at all times. That usually ends up being my iPhone, but there are a few things missing when I go that route. Thanks for sharing the pic.

And they call Illinois 'flat landers'?

Jeff, I, too have an SLR and a small pocket camera. I use them both; however, generally have my point and shoot with me - just in case. It really takes great pictures....thanks for sharing. Your photo looks like I imagine Kansas to be. Great job! ;-)

I am completely usesless with a camera. I do however have a great photographer who is very reasonable in pricing. I get compliments on my listing photos and I don't always fess up that they aren't my photos. (Well, they are mine. I paid for them, lol.)

I LOVED the kansas photo. Hmm. Maybe I should start learning photography....

Hi Jeff, Yes, it's symbolic of so many things. I love it!!!

The Horse Girl ~ Marian

Hmmm... what brought this post back to life? :)

Hi Jeff,

Cool picture ... I agree 100%!

The point and shot (or even the camera in my phone) is great for catching real life. Recently, I've tried to find something cool to photograph each day ... it's a fun way to "relax" and smell the roses.

Best regards,
Mike

Beautiful photo,

Jeff - that is a great photo, car or no car. I shoot in cars, planes, buses, everywhere I see a potentially great shot and sometimes they're great and sometimes even iPhoto can't crop out the mirror :) I've always been a Canon girl until I bought a Nikon Coolpix 8400 for real estate. Sort of like point and shoot but with SLR features...but I have read that Canon has better color. WV? I'm from SW VA! I think if they flattened WV it would go all the way to CA, what do you think?

JT ~ Wasn't this your first post on AR? If not it must have been close. I remember this picture and thinking "how cool a guy who likes to shoot things from the car!"

Hi Jeff. The good thing about cameras is that there are ots of models to choose from and it's easy enough to find one that will do the job you want it to do. Point and shoot cameras are ok, but I go back to my Nikon D40 SLR for standard work on home tours. I think my last four camera purchases have all been Nikons and there hasn't been a loser in the bunch.

With digital I would agree that taking LOTS of photos is the way to go. After they are shot, the enhancements you can pull off with Photohsop or Paint Shop Pro can turn a ho-hum pic into a really good one. The work done after the shot can be just as important as the photo session.

Jeff, The AR guys featured this blog in todays newsleter. It's timeless~ That's an amazing photo.~definitley conjures up visions of Dorothy & Toto!

DEC

2008

I too have a digital Rebel, which I love, but I can't take it everywhere. On the other hand, I have a Canon powershot that I'm never without, and I take a whole lot more pictures with it than the Rebel.

Jeff -

First, I LOVE the photo...and for all the reason you and others described. Becca kissing Sami You can feel the storm brewing and the vulnerability of that little tree (is it REALLY little? Could be HUGE...but alone...perspective is everything!)

I must admit, I'm a one camera person...and it's a little one. For some reason, what technological aptitute I have simply does not translate to cameras. I've owned several, never quite figured them out. Now I just use my little P&S (which is with me ALL the time) & take LOTS of photos so my odds of having some good ones increase. And when those unexpected "photo opps" come up...I'm ready!

Jeff this is exactly the way I approach taking photos, and I so love to share them with friends and family. I love the point and shoot because it fits nicely in my bag so I can be prepared to take that shot that appeals to me.

Jeff, I am originally from Wichita Kansas and YES it does say Kansas. When people find out that I am from there they usually say "I drove through Kansas". That is one long drive on I-70 from one side to the other. WOW do I have memories of nighttime storms as a kid (I would curl up on the end of my parents bed).

We also have the Canon Digital Rebel and our world trotting daughter does too. I am right now in the process of looking for a point and shoot camera for her for Christmas for those times that the Rebel is just too big. What point and shoot are you using? I wrote a post asking for recommendations but I think it is just confusing me. I'm thinking of getting her the new Canon Powershot A 1000 IS; mainly because of the small size.

(oh my this is an old post; I read through the prior comments and seeing Mike's comment was eerie until I looked at the date).

I carry my camera all the time too. Recently I heard about a lens ($30) that can be attached to a digital and allows tyou to take wider angle shots. Has anyone had success with that. How about slave flashes to avoid dark rooms- anyone using those for interior shots?

Jeff, what an awesome pic. I am trying to train myself to keep my camera with me - it's when I don't have it that I run across those fantastic photo opps. LOL! Your post and the comments have motivated me. I'm determined to get some neighborhood photos to post. Thanks!

Heather, we use the slave flash (except I can't find it right now...) on our Nikon Coolpix and it is great. Also the guy who does our aerial shots has some kind of lens adapter and he is using the same camera, Coolpix 8400 and he gets some great photos.

DEC

2008

I love photos of barns - you know those old falling down ones that you sometimes drive past so fast you can't get the camera out quick enough. Almost all of my photos are from a car window with an old Sony that fits in my pocket! Makes the trip worth while. Great picture of Kansas!

DEC

2008

I ultimately like the fact that a camera that you can take with you everywhere might be the best solution for photography. Yes that picture is perfect Kansas. I live in Colorado with family in Missouri, getting ready to make that trip next week again.

FEB

2010

Hubba...

No response needed. I don't feel like playing in the rain but I do need my quota for the day.

Expect to see me on your blog 10 times :)

TLW...ROAR!

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Jeff Turner

Santa Clarita, CA

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Real Estate Shows

Office Phone: (661) 244-5812

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Jeff Turner helps people grow their business through the effective use of emerging technologies. I am the President of Zeek Interactive and Founder of RealEstateShows.com. Father of 6. Husband of 1.

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