FZ200 - A great positive strategy that works for me...

I have been an active member of forums like this for about 3 years. The first and principle one I was/am involved with is for the particular model of Canon pro video camera that I own and use in our video productions for our business. The other forum I've been most involved with is this one because I bought an FZ200. Both forums have something in common with, as far as I can tell, every other photography/videography forum on the planet, and that is they have periodic, intensive discussions revolving around the question of which camera is better - the one we all currently own or a new challenger that has just come along.

While these sorts of discussions may have some benefit, especially for those who have not yet settled on a camera and made a purchase, or are considering an upgrade, they can also at times be distracting and even discouraging for those who have bought a particular camera and are merely trying to enjoy getting on with enjoying it. Here is a positive strategy that I use that really helps me guard my thoughts and keep me in a positive head-space regarding my cameras during these times.

Step 1:
Start a "Keeper Showcase Portfolio" (for my videos I have a Vimeo account, for stills it's Flickr)

Step 2:
Choose ONLY the one very best shot of the day, photo-shoot or category of subject to place in this portfolio. This step is crucial, in the video business we do this by creating a demo reel, or show reel, which must be less than 2 minutes long and contain only our very best stuff. If you want to store all your photos online, and your "almost keepers" go ahead, but open a different account to archive all these shots. Your "Keeper Showcase Portfolio" should have ONLY YOUR VERY BEST PHOTOS in it, and only one of a kind for that particular category or style of shot (I'm saying that you should only have 1 duck shot, etc., in the whole portfolio, but only 1 duck shot from the 50 ducks shots you took that day). If you have 3 great shots of Chickadees from the day's outing, put all 3 in your archive account, but chose ONLY one for your Keeper Showcase Portfolio. This is your quality control process.

Step 3, and this is important: 
Regularly go and visit this special portfolio and enjoy your terrific photographs while reminding yourself what a GREAT camera you own, and that you're not too shabby a photographer either. Seriously, you may think I'm joking but this really works, and it's not self-delusional, but rather you are encouraging yourself by focusing (no pun intended) on your successes and not your failures, and on what your camera CAN do instead of what it can't, or what some other camera claims to do better.

These days, when I'm reading about how the new Canon SX50's RAW noise chart-line trounces that of FZ200, I say, "Well, that's nice, it might have a bit of an edge on us in that department... so what?... big deal!... have a look at the amazing image detail and colour graduations of the Chickadee I just shot this week.... now THAT'S AWESOME!" ... and then I feel better and get on with my day. Works for me!  

I just thought I'd share this with the group because this whole "my sensor's better than your sensor.." thing can not only drive you crazy after a while, it will steal your joy of photography as well!

my 2 cents,

Rudy

Oh yes, I almost forget, here's my Keeper Showcase Portfolio: Rudy's nice photos