Just Saying

I've had enough of this issue and it irritates me to death. Okay maybe not to death but you get the point.

Many months ago, I read about people making fun of those who have DSLR cameras. Earlier tonight I saw a Facebook contact join the group 'Hindi Porket May DSLR ka Photographer Ka Na'.

WHAT IS UP WITH THESE PEOPLE?

The passion for taking photos runs in my family. My late Lolo Jaime has a Nikon film slr. Unfortunately, my tito (mom's brother) lent it to a friend and never got it back (he can't even recall the friend)- which irritates my mom every waking morning. She has been wanting to hand it to me as a pamana of lolo. My dad also has a film slr he bought back when he was still in college. It probably got lost in the bodega at Dad's family house in Bicol - which irritates me every time I remember it.

As for me, I've always had a camera. My family has a film camera which we use during graduations, recognition day, family day, birthday, and all other occasions. In grade six I destroyed our relatively new camera coz I accidentally dropped it on the sand during our camping trip. To replace it, I bought my first camera. It was a Canon film camera but I can't remember the model. Right after that, I got hand-me-down Sony digicam. Super major oldie coz its best resolution is at 1.3 megapixels. hahaha On my 18th birthday I got a SonyT10 camera and finally, my Nikon D60.

So yeah I have a DLSR. But this is not to say I shoot the best photos in the world.

Got it as a college graduation gift from my aunt and uncle in the States. Eight months later I shoot better photos, but still consider myself an amateur. I am far from understanding the nitty gritty of shooting at a completely manual mode. When going to places, only 10% of my pictures make it to my best shots. But despite that, I still strive to create good shots because I don't want to under-utilize my camera. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person in that situation.

My two cents on this?

All professionals started out as amateurs. Not that I'm planning to a professional photographer one day. Taking photos is just my way of documenting my adventures- preserving happiness in every shot.

Kung wala kang DSLR, wag ka magalit sa meron. Not our fault you don't own one. Maybe you don't like to have one, maybe you can't afford, maybe you're planning to have one in the near future- it doesn't matter. Just don't hate us for having one.

People want to learn new things everyday- that includes learning photography. Give us that chance. Allow us to feed on that passion.

Enough said.

P.S. The Facebook fan page aforementioned isn't an anti-DSLR group. It's actually a mix. Some people became fans to hate DSLR owners, other members defend, other members are professional photographers who share tips with amateurs to encourage them to nurture their skill. That's a good thing. :)