The Small Format Camera

Modern small cameras serve well in many different situations. If you own a medium format, large format, SLR, or DSLR, then I highly recommend also having a small camera as well. This can of course mean a 35mm or digital compact point and shoot camera.

Perhaps it’s a matter of convenience or a change of pace but either way it will help to open your eyes to opportune moments. While higher priced cameras afford luxuries such as larger print capabilities, more manual control and freedom, and certain aesthetic qualities, the advantages of smaller cameras should not be ignored.

Cameras are supposed to function as an extension of the eye allowing a photographer to share vision and create interest within a single frame.

But you can’t likely do that at all if you don’t have a camera with you at all times. Furthermore some moments in time can be fleeting and the need for speed could certainly help one to save a moment passing.

Life creates a constant movement of objects and relationships with environment. The challenge for photographers is to capture these movements all while assessing a scene and integrating elements of composition and style in a matter of seconds. A wonderful challenge indeed.

With small format or compact digital cameras we find a slew of auto settings that could certainly help to aid in the process of capturing these moments. I implore you to explore all of the settings that come with your smaller cameras. Do not expect to get absolutely stunning imagery every time with these automatic camera settings, but when time is of the essence at least you will have captured the moment.

I’ve preached many times about the need to understand the abilities and the limitations of your cameras and the same would go for these smaller ones as well. Never would I suggest purchasing a camera that does not afford you the ability of full manual control.

The idea is to always have a camera handy, even it is just a compact camera. You never know…

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