Between great and lousy pictures. As the person behind this column as well as Nuts & Bolts, I have received quite a number of queries from photo enthusiasts all over the world since this homepage was launched in middle of '98. The majority of these enquiries was centered on what types of equipment would improve their photography, rather than how to make good use of the available features to create better pictures. There were also those who bought high-end models like the EOS-3 and EOS-1 series and started asking (me and others) numerous questions on how to use the features available. There is nothing wrong with buying these cameras but if your knowledge of photography is still limited, the entry-level versions like the EOS 500N, EOS 88 (EOS 3000) and the EOS 300 (EOS Rebel 2000) will do nicely. Cameras are designed to record the images you see on film, and view them later with your family or friends. For professionals, the images they created are essential to their careers; hence the types of equipment they have invested in are, therefore, important. That is why Canon offers different models in its EOS range to cater for different groups of users. So is the case with other camera manufacturers. Having said that, ending up with lousy and other not-so-great pictures is something that afflicts all photographers - from the beginners to the amateurs and professionals, including myself. No one can ever say that he/she has never had any lousy shots throughout the entire career or photography learning period. You learn from your mistakes or through trial and error. Read the instruction manual of your camera, lenses, Speedlite and accessories thoroughly and carefully, re-read it again several times if you have to, until you have completely understood how each of the features works and what it can or cannot perform. Buying the most expensive camera and lenses will not guarantee you decent pictures if you don't how to make full use of the features available. Neither is it so if you happen to be an equipment fanatic - placing more emphasis on the beauty and cleanliness of the camera and lenses, ensuring that they remain in the same mint conditions even ten or twenty years after buying them. Scratches to the camera bodies and barrels of lenses are common after months or years of usage. So is dust inside the viewfinder or between the elements of a lens, especially zoom lenses. Fungus, too, can be found growing on the lenses if the area where you keep your equipment is hot and humid, unless you use your camera and lenses on a daily basis or quite often. Taking excellent care of the equipment is one thing but this won't help you to create better pictures or improve your photography. As outlined in issues No: 20 and 21 on which Canon EOS camera and EF lenses to choose and use, it is not the equipment but the photographer who makes the difference between a lousy and great shot. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 .