Camera Envy Results in Art Sale

Ever get the new car itch?  Yeah, me too but mine was actually the used car itch.  I am driving a 2000 Honda Accord with about $4000 of hail damage from "the great hail storm of '11".  It rattles and groans but it gets me there and back.  I recently looked at used SUVs.  I got over it once I realized what I could get for my car and how much the used SUVs cost.  I think I am finally starting to understand the term "starving artist" but I digress.

Today's subject is camera envy.  My wife has become quite the photographer.  Many days she will spend part of her lunch hour snapping shots.  She has a great eye and one thing I do not have patience.  Now we go out shooting together every chance we get.  She used to have to wait for me to finish shooting every blade of grass and each passing cloud.  Now I wait for her. 

One thing that seperates me from most photographers is that I do not shoot with a DSLR, Digital Single-Reflex Camera.  You actually see them hanging around just about everyone's neck who is older than 12 years old.  I had a minor plumbing problem and when the plumber came (and saw my prints lying around) told me he was a budding photographer and showed me a number of his photos.

People have been sold a bill of goods, that you need to have a $500 camera to take good photos.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  When I show my work, often times people will comment "you must have a really good camera".  Let me ask you this.  If you went to dinner at someone's house and they cooked a great meal, would you say "you must have a really good stove".  Bingo, you wouldn't.   The camera or stove is not the major factor but a good one does help a lot.  People just don't think when they say stuff like that.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard it. 

Initially, I told people that most of my first work was taken with a small pocket size Pentax about 5 megapixels.  For most people that is all you need.  Somehow people have gotten the notion that you have to use a $1000 set-up to get good shots.  I went from the small Pentax to a Sony Cybershot but did not have much zoom.  From there I went to what is called a bridge camera.  It is basically a point and shoot with a more standard camera body with features such as higher zoom, image stabilization, etc.  I bought a Canon SX30 with 35x zoom which equals 720 mm lens.  One huge difference from a DSLR is that you don't have to change out and carry heavy lenses.  They are also lighter.  Yes, there are some drawbacks too but overall I was happy for awhile.

I gave my wife my Sony Cybershot.  She was quite happy with that one until she needed more zoom.  She started to develop camera envy which culminated in me buying her a camera for Christmas.  I could say that that was when I developed camera envy of my own but it would not be true.  It had been festering deep in my mind.  How did I know?  I would go out to pick up the Sunday paper and, yes, you guessed it.  I would look at the Best Buy ads first.  I knew it was a matter of time.

Well, sports fans, I "done it" this past Sunday.  I went out and bought myself a new camera.  It is still a bridge camera but the SX50 has 50x zoom that equals 1200mm lens.  It can shoot JPEG or RAW or both at the same time, has better wide angle and shoots 10 frames per second.  I was and am in "hog heaven".  This camera is so cool it cooked breakfast for me yesterday.  No kidding.

So, that leads me back to the starving artist part.  Now I have to replenish my bank account which is on life-support.  And yes, you can help.  All you have to do is go to http://kaynardphotography.webs.com and look some of my prints.  You can contact me directly for purchases.  I have many items on sale and a few on clearance.  I can offer many prints started at $14.  All of my work is signed and comes in a clear protective bag.  I do my best to make my work affordable.  Call me with any questions.  I can also offer inexpensive frames for some of my 16 x 20 prints.   I will also deliver them to you in the Charleston area.  If you have an office, I will be glad to bring my work to you for your convenience.  There is still plenty of time before Christmas. 

I would like to thank everyone for their support this past year.  It has been a great experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed my first full year doing only photography.  I have had an opportunity that few are able to experience.  I am especially appreciative to my wife for being so understanding and supportive as have my friends.  To my patrons, who have helped keep me afloat, thank you, thank you thank you.

My family and I would like to wish eveyone a safe and happy holiday season and a happy and healthy new year.

Michael Kaynard is a local photographer who lives in West Ashley.  His photos can be seen at http://kaynardphotography.webs.com.  He can be reached at mkaynard@gmail.com or 843-412-2299.