I use a Nikon D700 digital camera, and I have a Nikon D300 digital camera as my backup.  I started out with Nikon, and I stuck with it — but I’m a firm believer that it’s the photographer that makes the picture, not the camera; a Canon is just as good a Nikon in terms of equipment quality.  The magic comes from the eyes and movements of the photographer.

Now, if you’re using a toy  camera that’s been dropped in apple sauce, and your tripod consists of three pipe cleaners and some silly putty, then of COURSE your equipment “makes a difference,” and you won’t be able to get a good picture.

But assuming that you have a good quality camera, it doesn’t matter which brand it is — it’s ALL YOU, baby!

And that being said, I’m a Nikon Girl.  Why? When I used to work in the semiconductor industry, I was familiar with Nikon factory equipment, and when I went to buy my first SLR camera, the Nikon felt right in my hands (and I think subconsciously the word “Nikon” was swirling around in my brain, all intertwined with “technical” and “high quality.”)  And once I started getting Nikon equipment, I got more, because then all of my lenses would continue to work with the new camera bodies.  I’m used to the look and feel and how they work with my hands.

But I don’t think you’ll ever look at somebody’s picture and say knowingly, “Ah, that was clearly taken with a Canon,” or “Yes, obviously an Olympus!” Again, the quality of the photograph is created by the photographer’s use of light and composition. And in that spirit, I hope you join me here on the blog as I talk about photography, regardless of which camera you have or want to acquire.  Everyone is welcome!