Figure Photography with Point and Shooters

I think that there's a rather large problem with photography at the moment, which is that many people equate image quality with photo quality. What I mean is that I've seen a lot of professional photographers who aren't actually very good at what they do, but they have the best equipment and so their otherwise average photos look to be of high quality.

A good photo is a good photo, regardless of what camera was used to take it. I think you've composed a very nice picture in the photo you've posted here. This is not to detract from SLRs at all - a well-composed photo taken on a DSLR is almost always going to look better than an also well-composed photo taken on a compact - but for me, composition is the primary factor.

Luckily, high-end compacts are bridging the gap for those who want to work on their composition and use custom settings but can't quite afford a DSLR. Look at Danny's photos (or indeed many other users here) - sometimes I can't tell the difference between those taken on his LX3 and those taken with a DSLR! ^^;

you plan on selling that film SLR? ^_^

its a nice photo, hey I don't have a super flash camera just a Sony Cybershot digital, but it takes good photo's :D

I currently use Sony DSC-H10 to shoot and review.. already good. Used to use DSC-S650 still great but have to move on since I planned on saving money to get that H10.

I don't have a DSLR either but there is some validity in the above argument. My pics on my blog are taken on a canon ixus 870 and I don't think it's too bad. Not sure how others feel tho.

But there really are limitations, particularly for me whn I want to do zoom in shots and/or general closeups. The focus on the compact simply can't handle it so I have to adjust, usually by pulling further away to include more in the pic at the expense of the detail I want to show.

I made a post about the same kinda thing actually (my Armory post). I think that explains everything about why I use my old point-and-shoot for everything. ^^

I've switched from a Canon Ixus 6.0 which is a 6-MegaPixel camera, to a Canon EOS 40D which is a 10.5 Processed MegaPixel camera...

Personally, when it comes to features a lot differ. SLRs are practically limitless, though may take A LOT of effort to put into picture your ideal shot.

For Point-and-Shoots, the features are limited and so, simple-intermediate ideal shots are EASY to put into picture. I personally prefer Point-And-Shoots for this very point. But then of course, that's because I'm yet to master the real potential of the SLR.

For Night-Shots and Low Shutter Light Effects, still, SLR is the way to go.

Ah, I know the feeling of having a simple camera ^^; Nonetheless, this is a beautiful pic of one of my favourite mecha musume ^-^~
As my course at college covers photography in all aspects though somewhat basic in the first year, we've done film photography. Am keen on trying 35mm film shoots with my sweeties *___*

Good lighting makes a huge difference and I would probably recommend making a light tent to see whether that ups te quality of your photos to your liking.

I have a dinky little point and shoot and I've been considering buying a dslr just for my figure shooting and once in a year cosplay photography. I just can't seem to justify the price of upgrading as decent cameras are upwards of $700AUD; I can get cheaper ones (mid-$500) but if I'm investing in so much anyway i might as well get a better kit than lower quality.

i've had great shots taken by point and shoot cameras and i think how shots turn out is primarily due to the photographer's eye or should i say talent. :D

A little edited quote.. "It's not the camera mate, it's how you use it."

I myself is still using a point and shot (Canon PowerShot A590 IS), I think it's all about knowing and using the full potential of the camera you have. Given a good lighting you could have spectacular shots. A sample of one of the photos I've taken with it..

http://mkuain.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/img_310.jpg

And have you seen pus2meong's recent posts? The guy is using a point and shoot but his shots looks superb..

I use a 8 mp canon camera and my pictures come out like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3964335477_07d6942bf1.jpg

it is better to learn how to use a point and click camera than to go and buy DSLR as your first camera.

I started out with a dinky little Sony DSC-P8. The photos it turned out were pretty good but was very limiting to use. I then upgraded to a Canon Powershot G9 and the photos it put out were way better. The G9 is still a point & shoot but it has alot of manual controls just like a DSLR. You can check some of my posts or my flickr to see the image quality of both cameras.

You really don't need a DSLR to take great photos imo. For those on a budget, you can get slr-like photos from prosumer level point & shoot cameras like my Canon G9 (New model G11 coming soon btw). But if you do have the money to burn, then by all means go ahead and get a DSLR.

Like most of the comments here, I do agree that the features and type of your camera alone can determine if you can take great photos -- a great misconception that has been happening since the sudden boom of DSLRs. Owning a point and shoot and attempting photography with it doesn't merit the label "poser photographer" at all, those who think they are so good without knowing or at least trying to learn the basic concepts of photography are the ones who should be called posers.

I've been using Canon Ixus 750 for all my figure photos and my photos initially looked something like this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/3673005213_e40bd4b39a.jpg and after gathering comments from fellow otaku and reading up on what I need to know, this is how it resulted: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3943752159_6e80180655.jpg the only difference between these two photos is that I actually made a proper lighting setup and used a tripod. Also, I never used photoshop for tweaking the images I linked.

Yes, DSLRs have lots of great features that help a lot, especially when it comes to taking photos during night time or macro photography, but, if you aren't really trained much in the first place, the quality of your photos won't change much -- except for image clarity.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using a point and shoot instamatic. Like shooting film, Holga or Polaroid it's just a different sort of challenge. This http://wraith11.deviantart.com/art/Lethal-Industry-101416362 I took awhile back with our old 3.2mp Olympus P+S, I reckon it turned out ok. To be honest I'm going to echo a few others here and say I think it's better to start on a cheaper camera as it forces you to think about composition and such things rather than having to lean on the whizbang gadgets of a DSLR.

That said, I feel your sentiment on public shooting. If I'm doing public shoots with figurines I generally carry a bunch of gear with me, just for the extra credibility to offset shooting a "doll" :P

Oh, and don't knock film, you come to appreciate it after doing digital photography for awhile ;) Specialist camera stores still carry it so supply's no issue. Either that or it's helpful to know a friend who somehow manages to do stuff like aquire 100rolls of Velvia 50 :D

even i have a p&s, a canon sx100is. plus point is the superb macro shots it can take. limitation i found out in p&s are you need bright lights to capture anything in good quality. they work well in sunlight, and indoors you need atleast two powerfull cfl bulbs. else you can see grain in the pics. imo buy a dslr when you have found out all limitations of the p&s and workarounds to those and think you cant get any further.

The only true limitation that I feel when I'm using my little 100 buck point and shoot is zoom and picking up fine detail. But then most figure painting doesn't really stand up to extreme closeups anyway so I can say I'm pretty happy with what I'm using now. *shrug*

I know how you feel. I, for one, also have an old 3+ year old Canon IXY500
point-and-shoot camera. And like you, I also suffer from not being able to
bring out my figures for a photo shoot due to what people will probably think
of it.

I'm so far happy with the resulting photographs though. Just have to be patient
and creative while working with the limitations.

It would be nice to be able to buy a more professional camera, but at that
price, I might as well get myself a dolfie. :D Besides, I can't afford either
right now.

So for now, I stick with indoor photo shoots (unfortunately, I live in a dorm
without a backyard).

I think point and shoot cameras are an excelent starting point. Its a great way to get into photography and figure out your style and how cameras work. I've been using a point and shoot for about 4 years to shoot my dolls, figures, pets and landscapes and for ages I felt like I didn't need a dslr or more powerful camera. It seemed like the cost was unnecessary because I like my pictures how they were.

Over time, my photography has changed a lot. I have changed equipment, technique, become more aware of lighting, blurs, contrasts, exposures, noise and all sorts of other stuff. Back in the day, these things would never have bothered me, but I feel I have learned all I can from a point and shoot now, so I am looking into getting a dslr, or at least a very high end compact like the LX3.

I would say never feel ashamed or embarassed to use a point and shoot, its the perfect starting point for a learning enthusiast and gives you a great way to judge your progress. I know many people who brought a dslr thinking it was just a 'bigger point and shoot' and that they can just press the button and expect a professional quality photo and that just is not true. They end up hating photography altogether in the end thinking its not worth it.

The camera has its atributes to things of course, but I believe the real magic comes from the photographer. Anyone can make a quick picture, but not everyone can make a quality photograph. Just use what you can while you can and just let yourself naturally grow into other equipment as needed.

Point and Shoot cameras esp. high end ones like the LX3 and the Canon G series are great choices in place of an SLR. In terms of pure quality (of the image, not whether a photo is "good") an SLR will win but as far as learning is concerned I think a point and shoot is better for 2 main reason. 1) live view which is not available on most DSLRs yet. You can get instant feedback on composition and framing with the large screen compared to a viewfinder. 2) built in macro lens is very nice to get those small details on figures.

As has been pointed out in previous posts above, a good photo doesnt rely on the gear. Just keep taking photos and you'll get a knack for taking better photos. I own multiple cameras and I find I use my LX3 or just the iPhone camera for most of my daily shots unless its for work then I pull out the DSLR.

Just keep shooting and pay attention to light and composition, not the camera.

Beside my D40x now I use a Point and shooot for everyday photo. It mostly because it was such a burden to bring my SLR everyday.