Water lilies

[Papaw]

To show that this is really garage related, my son and I were shopping for a truck, and behind the used car lot was a small pond. I shot several photos of water lilies.

White Water Lilies by Noel Hankamer, on Flickr

Water Lily Pads by Noel Hankamer, on Flickr

[Uncle Buck]

Man you take some stunning photos Noel! What kind of camera do you have?

[Papaw]

I usually just say I have one of those big black ones when people ask.
I have a couple of Canons. Old 5D Classic, 8 year old Canon 60D , a Canon T3 from a pawn shop, and a Canon Powershot that was given to me by a friend.

It is not the camera that makes good pictures, it is having an "eye" for good shots and a willingness to learn.
Many are taking great photos with phones these days, and I encourage them. I just can't seem to do as well with the phone as I do with a DSLR.

I took photos in high school many years ago and got away from it and back to it several times. When I started selling on Ebay, I borrowed a Sony Mavica ( photos on a floppy ! ) and that made me go out and buy a better camera.

If I may beat my own drum a bit, look at my photos here- https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/

And here- https://www.papawsimages.com/

[Uncle Buck]

I think my 17 YO daughter has this gift too. A couple of years ago she got into journalism and sports photography in school and totally immersed herself in that. Around Christmas she asked for a camera which as you know gets expensive quick when buying new. We bought her a Nikon D3400 as a kit with a couple of lenses and assorted goodies. She has used it a lot and I am always amazed at the quality of pictures she is able to take with what I know is an entry level camera.

She has won a couple of photography competitions where her pictures were entered so I think she must be on the right track. She said something a while back about probably needing a better camera in the next couple of years. Sadly, I had to tell her that the next step up was going to be on her. With three kids in the home and all three in HS a costlier fancier camera is just not in the cards at our house. 

[Papaw]

There are plenty good used camera deals around.
She should be aware of the different sensor sizes by now and go for a good used Full Frame Nikon and lenses that match it.  She could sell her used one to help buy better. The lenses for her D3400 probably won't work on a full frame camera as far as I know, but i am not versed in Nikon terms.

Good lenses are very important for getting great shots.