When you get a new camera, it is similar to the start of a new love affair.  There’s the shock and awe of obtaining your wish, the delight of feeling through things, getting to know each other, getting frustrated from stupid misunderstandings – and then finally finding peace in compromising and communication. Such began my weekend study of my new Canon 50D digital SLR camera.

With my 20D, I never really felt camera envy of other photographers. And yes, among the photo groups in Los Angeles, there is a lot of camera and lens, cock shop talk like comparisons. However, I don’t know if it was my female nature, but I never really cared to lust after other people’s objects. I felt comfortable with my sense of photography style, filter usage, shot visions and methods.  I would see a little of everything, camera wise, when I would visit Descanso Gardens or Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserve. From 15k prime Canon lenses to point and shoots, I was a proponent of working with what tools you have to get the shot that completes your vision.

However, something changed within me when I received my 50D.

Maybe it was learning the amazing “Auto ISO” setting, completely different from my “Leave your ISO on 200 iso for the best shots and least film grain.” This feature alone opened my eyes to the awesomeness of nighttime, flashless photography. Or, it could be the “shiny new toy replaces any former model” complex. But, in exploring my first shots from my two low key photo walks this previous weekend, I am still left wondering the age old question:

Is it the camera that makes the difference? Or, is it the person behind the viewfinder that creates the magic?

Here is my foray into answering that question while on a photo inspired walk among the Friday night life in Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles’ Bunker Hill and Little Toyko. I’ve included the exposure information for each photo in the gallery.

Gallery:

Camera Bonding Time