When I first started my photography courses I shunned the point and shoot camera. I thought that since I wanted to be a professional photographer I couldn’t be a “slacker” and use one. I felt frazzled. The easy to use point and shoot camera is what got me into photography in the first place, now I had this big honkin DSLR camera that I didn’t know what I was doing with. I looked down on the point and shot camera. Feeling trapped and uncreative, tapped down by technicalities I rethought my views of the simple camera. The more I thought about it the more I felt I NEEDED one. The idea was to fill the void I had because I did not feel that taking my DSLR everywhere was feasible and I wanted to take pictures all the time. I know there are people that take their DSLR cameras with them every place, I’m just not one of them–at least not yet. I wanted a camera that I could take anywhere and everywhere, fit in my pocket kinda deal. I wanted to go back to my original carefree days of pointing the camera and shooting what I thought was a fairly decent picture. I got a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W120 about a month ago and feel more like a photographer now than I have since starting a photography major.
With my point and shoot I can fit it in my pocket and take it with me EVERYWHERE. I don’t have to worry about a gigantic lens getting messed up, or change lenses for that matter. Something interesting happen–I can whip out my point and shoot and take that picture! Doesn’t matter with a point and shoot whether everything is perfect, just turn it on and shoot, that’s what it was made for after all :) Point and shoot cameras can help with DSLR cameras too. I do a lot of test shots with the point and shoot before taking out the DSLR, it shows me an idea of what I’ll get through the DSLR. Heck maybe the point and shoot picture comes out better, ya never know.
This was taken with my point and shoot and I’m pretty happy with it.I had my Nikon with me at the event this was taken,but all I had on it was my telephoto lens. I wanted a certain picture thatwith a telephoto lens I was not going to get.So I brought out the point and shoot and got the shot I wanted :)
So did you have the problem I had when you started using a DSLR camera? Is a point and shoot included in your camera kit? :)
12 Comments
You bet I carry a point and shoot! I can’t always carry camera gear wherever I go. I live in Texas, and I don’t even want to think about what would happen to my gear if I left it in the trunk in the summer months.
And you know what? A point and shoot is a lot less intrusive in certain situations. Some people just feel more relaxed around a smaller camera. A DSLR rig may be intimidating, and that can make all the difference in getting a candid shot.
Besides, I can’t slip my DLSR into an evening bag!
Thanks for the reply
I’m terrified to leave my camera gear out in the car, I think of it as a baby and no one in their minds is gonna leave a baby out in a hot car :O, lol maybe I’m an over protective “parent”.
I’d always have a point and shoot, they’re like an extra easy to use lens!
Nice job Sierra. Congrats on your first post here on DSLRBlog. Hope you post more!
Since my P&S is very nearly a DSLR, I can’t say that I carry it when I wouldn’t carry the DSLR but I do, in fact, have one. I just bought a pocket camera for my teen and expect that I’ll take advantage of it’s compact size at some point in the future. I also use my phone’s camera quite often (without zoom) because I’ve found some great shots when I’m out doing the grocery shopping and I’d hate to miss it to run home for my camera. I’m a camera fiend - I’m never without SOME way of snapping a pic - even a bad one.
@Mandy you are so right
a veerrry easy to use lens. Thanks for the comment!
@James–thank you
@Gina–I love the camera on my phone, like you I often find myself using it to snap a couple of random pictures
I’ve been using a dSLR almost exclusively now for nearly two years and lately have found myself seriously considering getting and P&S just for sheer convenience when lugging the SLR and lenses around is just not practical.
Your article has all but made my mind up for me.
@Lewis–I’m glad it could help
I must say that I do carry my Pentax DSLR with me about 85 percent of the time. The rest of the time I carry my Cannon A540 point and shoot along with my cell phone that I have literally with me 24/7. My favorite saying is “if you don’t see my camera I am likely not there” because it is so true!
PF.
@ Kelly-thanks for sharing
lol cell phones are a handy tool in a crunch. And thats a great saying!