Looking back, I’ve always had an interest in photography. I was compelled to document occasions, band trips and vacations so I could look back on those times fondly. I’ve used a variety of photography media in my time. I started out with a 35mm film camera and in high school I took a few photography classes. I learned to process film in the darkroom. I remember the days when you had to use your 24 shots carefully, and never knew what you were getting until you got the film processed.

When I finally got around to the point and shoot revolution, I ended up with my Dad’s used Kodak. I loved the notion of the point and shoot. Being able to erase the bad photos – the ones with your eyes shut or you face hanging open mid-sentence like a drunken celebrity – was a great advancement. I loved the idea, but I never liked how my photos came out with my point and shoot. I was bothered by the slight delay and was disappointed that I couldn’t capture the exact moment. No matter how still I held it, I couldn’t get a decent night or evening shot.

I found my point and shoot so frustrating.

It wasn’t until a few years ago when I really started to get more serious about photography that I started looking into the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras. When I learned that with a shutter you didn’t get the point and shoot lag, I was sold. Since then I have been in love. I feel like I have so much control over the DSLR than I never had with the point and shoot. Not long after I got the DSLR, I took a point and shoot course to learn how to use it better. I actually found the course assisted me far more with the DSLR than the point and shoot. And don’t get me wrong. I have put a lot of work into understanding how my DSLR works. It has great auto features, but I almost always shoot in manual. I like the challenge, but also the absolute control. The variables are all mine.

Now this doesn’t mean that my DSLR doesn’t have any downsides. It’s not always practical (or safe, depending on where you vacation) to lug it around. It’s heavy and awkward. You throw a second lens, spare battery, and flash in a bag, and you’re going to need a pain-killer at the end of your day. Not to mention the seemingly limitless photos you can take. While it’s nice to not waste film, I have wasted many hours of my life sorting through hundreds of unnecessary and un-thought out shots. And finally, you just can’t get your DSLR into every place you’d like; for example, a U2 concert.

I along with 65,000 others attended the June 1^stconcert in Edmonton. Professional cameras and recording devices were not allowed. Now, I only have a “beginner’s model” DSLR, but I wasn’t going to take the chance of having that

baby confiscated or molested by rowdy fans. I was also reluctant to bring my newest point and shoot, a middle of the road Nikon (which I also like far less than my DSLR). So I dragged out the old Kodak thinking that it wouldn’t be the worst thing if they confiscated it.

I’m at the concert of a lifetime and rather than enjoy it to the fullest, I am in photographer mode.  Mourning the lack of DSLR, thinking about the possibilities I would have had with my telephoto lens and a higher ISO, wishing I could have at least gotten a tripod in the door (I feel that point and shoots deceive people, advertising that they can take decent night shot. You need a tripod).

Then the kicker: my memory card fails. The internal memory on the Kodak had 30 photos. So now I’m going old school. I have to make the best of 30 shots. I did my best to hold her steady. I zoomed as hard as I could. I attempted to get the shot the instant the moment happened. And unlike film, I had the chance to erase the bad photos and try again, which took more of my attention from the concert. In the end, I feel the point and shoot failed me. After studying the manual, after taking a point and shoot class, even with a new point and shoot, I still would choose my DSLR in a heartbeat. That’s not to say I won’t use my new Nikon point and shoot. I keep it with me almost all the time so that if

I’m at work or out and about, and I see an amazing opportunity, I’ll have the shot. I got a few half decent shots of the concert that I’m sure I will look back on fondly, but I think I ought to strive for a media pass so I can bring my DSLR the next time U2 comes to visit.

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