N.A.Q.s
What are N.A.Q.s? Great question!
"N.A.Q." is an Angie-ism for Never Asked Questions. Why are they never asked? I mean, primarily because nobody visits this site. Additionally, I'm not fancy or anything to where anyone needs my advice. But also, because the average person isn't really all that interested in this stuff - but I'm all about filling needs that don't exist, so here you go. And sometimes just having a little info on where to start helps as a beginner.
What camera(s) do you use?
When I first started photography in high school, both our yearbook camera and my own were a Pentax. I don't even know where that is these days, nor do I know where to easily buy film.
As an adult, I've sort of fallen into being a Canon user, just because my first DSLR was a Rebel. When I upgraded, I went to a Canon 5D Mark III. I still use that, but I also have a mirrorless R10.
I would say that the 5D Mark III probably gets a crisper shot, although I'm not 100% sure due to my lens situation for the mirrorless (see next NAQ). However, the mirrorless R10 is far lighter.
What Lens(es) do you use?
My main lens is a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8. I have a fixed 50mm that I will pull out sometimes, but not often. For distance shots (like at sports events), I also have a Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM EF lens.
These were not cheap lenses. As such, I didn't really want to buy both entirely new when I got my new mirrorless camera, which uses an RF instead of an EF mount. I got a little $75 adaptor from Canon that lets me put an EF lens on an RF camera, but I'm not positive that it gets me as crisp of photos as I'd like. I eventually will invest in an RF lens and try to remember to update this; I don't feel that the kit lens is probably a good enough test of the capability to judge.
What editing software do you use?
I know there are a lot of options out there, but I get the monthly subscription to Adobe for all Creative Cloud Apps. It includes Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as the mobile apps for each. Since it's a subscription, there are frequent updates, free and paid downloads and integrations, etc.
I would say that I use Lightroom the bulk of the time. It is efficient for what I want it to do. I do switch over via an integration to Photoshop if I need to do a head swap, some generative AI, or add some creative elements.
I also sometimes use a sharpening/denoising app from Topaz Labs. They recently changed their model so I'm not sure they make it anymore, and it's not perfect, but I do use it. I have a MacBook Air, so I should also qualify that all of these are Apple versions.
How did you learn how to use your camera, edit photographs, etc.?
One time, I was photographing an event at my child's school. A mom who I liked came up and said, "So, if I get a fancy camera like you, I can take photos that are just as good, right?"
I'm not going to lie; this was a touch offensive. Not because I'm a great or even good photographer, but because I've invested a lot of time taking classes and practicing rather than learning via, say, osmosis. Sure you can, but work is involved.
I took in-person classes at our local garden from an established photographer, who has since stopped providing these. Reddit has a bunch of recommendations for theory and online classes that I haven't verified even a little, but it seems like somewhere to start.
Um, why "Indecent Exposure Photography?"
When I wanted a DSLR when our youngest was almost 1, my husband said something akin to, "I don't think you'll ever use it, that's a waste of money." I am greatly motivated by spite, so I took classes, started volunteering time, started a business, and then entered contests, waiting years to tell him it was all to prove him wrong.
I've largely since let the business go just due to time and commitments, but when I was trying to name it, he had recommended "Decent Exposure" as a pun off of the nudity-related crime. I thought maybe it didn't have the selling power I'd like, so I skipped it - until I bought this URL. And promptly remembered the name/story incorrectly, but I bought it this way so it's staying this way.
Not because I like mooning people.
