Cameras: from your cell phone to a pro SLR

A point-and-shoot is a good place to start (most folks have one already). These standard snappers are small, light and simple to use with a built-in lens and flash. Though convenient, they have limited manual override. Even accomplished photographers carry point-and-shoots as back-up equipment. Highly portable, these “toys” can be easily thrown into a purse or satchel, for times when you don't want to risk theft or lug 30lbs of gear to a cocktail party. And under certain conditions, a discrete camera is key.

Professionals prefer 35mm rangefinders and SLRs, which let the user change lenses and adjust the exposure. These cameras are more complicated and generally bulkier. Most have full automatic settings though, so beginners shouldn't shy away from a serious purchase. Midway between disposable cameras and professional rigs lies the “prosumer” market (futurist Alvin Toffler coined this phrase in 1979, but lately it's grown popular among dedicated digi-dabblers who prefer high-quality, high-tech gear). A prosumer model can cost just a few hundred dollars more than a quality point-and-shoot, but takes far superior snaps. Select equipment to grow into, as your skills expand. Many writers shoot Canon's Digital Rebel and Nikon's D-90, which has some video capacity as well.

Quality optics matter most, so it's worth investing in reputable brands like Canon, Nikon or Leica, even for a point-and-shoot. Buy the best lenses possible; if you must skimp, opt for a cheap camera body. “Always go for good glass,” is the popular wisdom. Richard I'Anson stressed this heavily in Travel Photography: A Guide to Taking Better Pictures. “Lens quality determines image sharpness, color and the light-gathering capacity of the lens, which can determine how you shoot in various lighting conditions,” he wrote.

Examine the warranty carefully, especially if shopping abroad. Some companies won't honor repair contracts outside the country of purchase. Test-drive the technology before returning home and search for English-language manuals before any trouble arises.

A tripod is useful for longer exposures. Bloggers often prefer a lightweight, tabletop model with 15cm collapsible legs and Velcro straps (to cling to a tree, fence etc.). Another fine option is a Gorillapod, which stands upright or twines around supports. Many models also fit small HD video recorders, like the excellent, cigarette-pack-sized Flip Mino.

A cable-release lets you fire the shutter without touching – and possibly shaking – the camera. A self-timer propped on a stable object can work just as well, cutting down on luggage and paraphernalia.

Serious shooters should consider taking a class or working through a reputable book like Basic Photography by Michael Langford or the less comprehensive Teach Yourself Photography by Lee Frost. I'Anson's excellent and user-friendly Lonely Planet guide is also highly recommended.

On a more cheap-and-cheerful, field-reporting front, you can upload images and blog posts directly from a cell phone. Control this via Settings> Email & Mobile > Add mobile device. Google offers advice about mobile blogging here.

 

Twitter also supports photo uploads via its Twitpic, which also accepts images via its website. For instant-gratification photographers, iTookThisOnMyPhone offers good resources. It also has a Unified Uploader that merges photo accounts from various sites – Facebook, Twitpic, Picasa, Flickr, Shutterfly, YouTube, etc. – and can send a zip file to your desktop. Not only does this provide backup, but cross-platform accessibility, even when you're off-line.

Such immediacy is amazing. Snap it. Share it. But the downsides are myriad. Phone lenses often have focusing and color-balance issues (you can compensate somewhat with apps, but you're still dealing with a primitive device compared to a bespoke camera). And immediate uploads don't permit any cropping, retouching or manipulation.

As with any tool, deploy smartphone art under the right circumstances: when immediacy or ease take precedence over art.

In late 2009, the Consumer Electronics Association released a study of digital photographers, analyzing their six main patterns of behavior:

• Frustrated Photogs (25 percent of the market)
• Digital Curators (23 percent)
• One-Click Wonders (15%)
• Feature-Focused Photogs (16%)
• Picture Happy Socialites (10%)
• Digital Mavericks (10%).

Think about where you stand on that list and what you want to achieve. Then select your toys accordingly!