Last 2007 (when I was a highschool senior), I discovered photography as one of my secret hobbies. My love affair with this hobby started with a fail film attempt with my brother’s manual Nikon SLR. I remember being so disappointed (I CRIED) when I found out I had installed the film incorrectly. Thank you Dad for the second attempt.

Here are some scans of my first tries:

Then my brother gave me compact camera (Canon Powershot). It was a 4-megapixel BULKY camera.

This is my first artsy shot with it! Sepia mode on, whaddup!

Very classic. Still one of my favorites. I even had this photo as our family’s desktop’s wallpaper for weeks!

Then I started taking more photos, even though I badly wanted a DSLR.

Had to practice creativity amidst my equipment-less times.

Not bad for a 4-megapixel point-and-shoot camera right?

I remember my photography professor telling us this quote: “It’s not the camera, it’s the operator.”

I certainly agree with that. A person who has the most high-end DSLR does not mean he’s doing justice with the camera. It may be even possible that the one who holds a disposable film camera is more able to capture photography-worth pictures.

I don’t know if I should call “taking pictures at the best angles” as my tip / cheat for capturing a great shot. Photography without a DSLR is possible if one maximizes the potential of his camera. What I did before was I read my camera’s manual (even my compact camera was a second-hand!) on the internet. I changed its preferences and settings to the best it could do. Clicking the flower icon for macro does not mean you have to use it only for small objects. For my portraits, I would also use the macro option. Also, I change the “P” (program mode) settings by choosing the warm / “flash” color balance (best used in daylight). Some cameras have black and white / sepia / color options that you just need to discover.

Also, I’d look through tens and hundreds of photos for inspiration. For this hobby, you need inspiration and creativity if you want to get better.

By the time that a DSLR lands on your own hands, you would know how to operate it effortlessly.