It's not the camera, it's what's behind the camera.

Chase Jarvis has it right when he says "The best camera is the one that's with you". I'm often asked what kind of camera I shoot with. I tell them I shoot with professional Canon cameras and lenses and their response is almost always "Well that's why you can take such good pictures". I take good pictures because I practice all the time and take the time to study the craft. Equipment is part of the equation but practice and technique are the cornerstone of good photography. There is so many times where taking my $5,000 SLR camera with me is either not practical or just plain scares the crap out of me so I carry either a point and shoot or my iPhone 4. I tell people that it's not the camera that makes a good photograph but the photograph itself that makes the image memorable. Some of my favorite photos came from the worst cameras two nickles could buy.

Taken with the iPhone 4 and Hipstamatic app.

I tell them its all about the emotion first, composition second and equipment third. Yes high dollar, professional cameras produce superior quality images, especially in the digital world, but I have seen photographers with the best gear money could buy and they produce mediocre photographs at best. Lately I have been shooting with my iPhone for fun and it keeps me grounded with the fact that good photography starts in the minds eye, with a desire to capture a moment in time to share with others. While I am a glutton for incredible cameras I also remember where I came from before I was afforded the luxury of owning such cameras. For years I only owned a point and shoot digital camera and before that really bad film cameras. With practice and some simple composition techniques anyone can capture memories, worthy of framing, with any camera they own.

Taken with the iPhone 4 and Hipstamatic app.

I'm not too proud to admit that I'm still learning every time I pick up a camera. I search the newest techniques and research other photographers works to get inspiration and I find it to be a huge value to improving my work. I look at others works and see how the shot is composed and ask myself what makes this image impressive to me and I try to apply the ideas to my work. At least once a week I search the internet for tutorials and websites that teach how to achieve certain images and I give myself a lesson for the week. One site I like to reference is Digital Photography School. Photographers from all walks of life and all skill levels discuss and teach their techniques. There are links to other tutorials and books as well on the site.

Taken with a $80 point and shoot

Now that almost everyone has a digital camera you can practice all day long and throw away the bad images. I say shoot all the time. Take the same photo from all angles and see what makes the image look good. Step outside your comfort zone of shooting from the standing position. Wear comfy shoes and clothes and get a little dirty. I can't count how many times I find myself crawling around on the ground or climbing on a table to get the best perspective.You will be amazed what you can come up with if you just change the perspective of the composition. Yes you might annoy your friends, family and pets and possibly break some furniture in the process but you will find very quickly that your technique will improve and your photographs will look better. Don't give up if what you shoot doesn't look "professional" and remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Check out some of my iPhone photos on my Facebook page and you will see what a point and shoot cell phone camera can do with a little practice.

Good luck and happy shooting!!!