I have been blogging for a fair bit now. But when I kick started Bowties and Bones, I asked myself the all pertinent question “Do I need a DSLR camera?” Photographers can be hard to come by at times and every other blogger I know owned one.

And I thought to myself, this could be an enabling tool for me and it would be a justified purchase.

Look at any of the photograph based social networking platforms, be it Pinterest or Instagram. They have such amazing shots. And then in the game to generate interest, much like in real life, visual appeal hits top scores. I have a bunch of photographer friends who told me, getting a DSLR wasn’t a big deal. Knowing how to work one, on the other hand is. No point buying a DSLR and shooting in AUTO mode.

They in fact told me that a point-and-shoot would do me as much good because those cameras processed the images for you readily. But obviously purchasing power and the need to own something new and complicated, won in the end.

It is quite embarrassing but I still shoot in AUTO mode, despite having owned the camera for over a quarter now. But whenever I get one of my seasoned photographer friends to shoot me, the pictures say a different story on the same camera in MANUAL mode. The fact is, you don’t really need a DSLR as soon as you start out. Unless photography is your thing. Shooting is one thing, developing and post-processing them is altogether a different ball game.

If you still think you should buy one, ask yourself these questions:

1. Can I learn all the required skills to do justice to a DSLR?

Well, like you might have heard before, it is not what you have but how you use it that really matters. Buying a DSLR is as easy as swiping your card for any other purchase (well not really, you need to figure out what brand and then what version too first). Do you have the skills and tools to work on your photographs thereafter, is the real question.

2. Can I afford a DSLR?

You buy a DSLR and think that is the end of it. There is maintenance involved unlike your normal digi-cams. Then there are a variety of lenses, which you will eventually realize outweigh the picture quality of the standard lens the camera body comes with. If you think you are investing for a future that will pay for this camera, think again. Wouldn’t you rather start earning something from your blog before you pump in cash. There already is the expense on new clothes, shoes and other accessories that you will need for your appearances. Do you really want to add on to it?

3. If not a DSLR, what should I use?

If you have an iPhone or any other mobile device with a good camera, congratulations. You can get pretty decent, if not amazing shots using your hand held. Most bloggers I know, have friends with amazing photography skills. They collaborate and split the spoils, when something comes along. Otherwise, it mostly is the mutual love for what they do and each other that results in all those amazing pictures you see.

So go out there, do what you are good at and focus on your area of expertise. Collaborate with photographers and grow/learn together. If you have any opinions to share with us, please add them in the comments section. We would love to hear from you.