Photography
As you probably have already seen, I love photography. It is my hobby of choice and find it not only enjoyable but immensely rewarding. I picked up photography in January 2005 when I purchased a Canon 20D. Before that, the only camera I had ever used was of the disposable kind. Since then, I have learned from many excellent photographers and amassed a database of 300GB of images. Most of them are reminders that I have a lot to learn, and a few of them hopefully are an encouragement for others considering photography as a hobby. My images have been used for print magazines, album covers, paintings, postcards, and conference promotionals.
Here is what I currently own as photography gear:
Camera: Canon 20D
Lenses: Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Macro, Canon 85mm f/1.8 AF USM, and Canon 50mm f/1.8 AF USM
Flash: Canon Speedlite 420EX
Tripod: Bogen 3021BN Tripod Legs w/ 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead
Accessories: Canon BG-E2 Battery Grip, Canon Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3, Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2, Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Unit and Viewer 40GB, Sandisk Ultra II and Extreme III CF Cards (15GB currently)
Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2, Digital Photo Professional, Phase One Capture One, Breeze Downloader Pro, Breeze Browser Pro, Jottosoft Pixort, Bibble Labs, GretagMacbeth Color Management, Photomatix, Kubota Actions, Roxio Easy Media Creator
Photography Friends:
Dan Canales || Flickr (20D)
Todd Pellowe || Blog (20D/5D)
Ben Dockery (D70)
Joe Thorn || Flickr (D70)
Where to Shop:
B&H PhotoVideo
Adorama
Pictureline
Dell
My Digital Discount
Where to Print:
MPIX
WHCC
Digilabs
Dot Photo
Leather Craftsmen
Pictobooks
Asuka Book
Red Book Design
Helpful websites:
Luminous Landscape
Popular Photography
Shutterbug
DP Review
Photoblogs
Pictureline Blog
Photography Blog
Digital Photography Blog
Digital Camera Websites
More links and information to come . . .
May 18, 2007 at 4:10 pm
[...] decided to add a Photography page on the sidebar. It is not completed, but it provides some links for places to shop, print, and [...]
June 4, 2007 at 7:24 am
Timmy,
How do you like using the 50mm f/1.8?
June 4, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Brandon,
It’s okay. Actually, it’s an older lens that was given to me by another photographer who had recently bought the 50mm f/1.4. I rarely shoot with it as my 85mm has pretty much replaced its usage. However, in those moments where I want a more close-up portrait with lots of depth of field, I will pull the 50mm out.
I don’t know how much one sells for today, but my guess is that you can get one for around $100. The f/1.4 you can purchase for around $350. I have two friends who shoot with it, and they love it.
August 4, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Timmy
are there any guides/manuals/photo magazines you would recommend?
August 5, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Mark,
I bought a manual early on but found it to be minimally useful (primarily for technical info). I can’t find it and don’t remember the name of it. I am sure there are some really good ones out there; I just haven’t taken the time to hunt them down. I figured if I had $30 to spend, I would get another 2GB memory card or something.
I do read Popular Photography quite regularly (mostly for reviews and new products on the market).
I am sorry that I am not much help on this. 95% of everything I have learned about photography has been through much better photographers than me and lots of trial-and-error.
Probably the best resource to learn about photography is DWF (digital wedding forum). However, you have to be accepted as a member to benefit from the articles, discussions, and how-to’s (meaning you have to be an actual wedding photographer). It is by far the best website and resource I have found, not just on wedding photography but on photography in all of its aspects.
September 21, 2007 at 9:12 am
Timmy,
I’m a church planter with the Acts 29 Network & a friend of Brandon Rogers. We’re poor & our website needs a serious upgrade. Would you allow us to use some of your headers off of your flickr site?
John
September 21, 2007 at 3:39 pm
John,
I would be honored if you used my headers. The dimensions for this WordPress theme is 740×180, and I have about 75 different headers created for that size. If have a different size header, let me know, and I might be able to come up with some headers for you.
September 21, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Have you ever done family/baby pictures for anyone, seminary student discount? HA HA BTW Roll Tide against the Dawgs of Georgia. Everybody I’ve seen picks Bama in a close one, but I’m scared we aren’t focused, even so- Bama 31 Georgia 21
April 1, 2008 at 9:03 am
Hi Tim,
I am looking at cameras. I’m trying to decide between the Nikon D40 or the Canon Rebel XTI. Any thoughts to share?
April 1, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Jennifer,
I think both cameras are about the same when it comes to specs. They both would work well for you; however, I think you ought to get a feel for the cameras and see which one is more ergonomically comfortable for you as well. I personally like the functions and handling of Canon cameras. But that is just a personal liking that might be different with another person’s tastes.
Also, you may want to consider other factors such as lens, editing software, and other accessories such as flash. Canon and Nikon are both great in these areas, but I cannot speak from much experience with Nikon (except from shooting with friends’ cameras). With that said, I admit my bias with Canon.
In the end, when it comes to those two cameras, I would see what is the best deal. Preferably I would not get the kit (lens included) but get the body only and purchase your own lens. The default lens (something like 18-55mm 3.5-5.6) is like putting a four-cylinder engine in Corvette. The better the lens, the less limitations (and future frustration) you will have. But then again, the price factor does come in there as well. I just know that the default lens is good to get you started but really isn’t worth much (I doubt you could even sell it on ebay for $50).
Let me know what you go with. As I said, I think they are both really good starting D-SLR cameras, and in the end, it may just come down to price or preference.
August 1, 2008 at 6:36 am
Timmy,
Any possibility you would allow your photo’s to be used as book covers?
December 11, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hey Mr. Brister,
I hope your doing great. I met you at the last True Church Conference. I am getting a digital camera for Christmas and would appreciate your opinion. Two I’m considering are the Samsung TL 34HD and the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W300. If you have any recommendations besides these I am open to them. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.
Bret Carroll
December 30, 2008 at 12:14 am
Timmy,
I enjoy reading your blog; both the theological portions and the photography posts.
I want to get into photography and am just now doing some research on where to get started. In looking at cameras, I realize that it’s a matter of preference a lot of times but is there really any qualitative difference between, say, Nikon and Canon? Also, how do I know what type of lenses to purchase? I see where you do not recommend purchasing cameras with the included lens; so how do I know which one to purchase if I do not get the one that comes with the camera?
Thanks for your help. Again, thanks for all the knowledge that you share so freely for us all.
Blessings,
Tim Morrison