This is a question that is almost impossible to answer in a way that will produce a satisfactory outcome.
The reason is that photography is full of contradictions. Photography is easy, but not easy to master.
It is the most accessible of all the creative art forms. It just doesn't get any easier than snapping a photo with your phone camera.
Herein lies the rub – the easier it is to take a picture, the more difficult it is to believe that it is not the camera that takes the stunning shots.
You see, the people who make cameras and phones are very clever. They have figured out how to make it easier to take pictures, and they have been very successful in doing this. In fact with advances in technology, it is only going to become easier and easier.
Sooner or later the happy snapper decides they want to upgrade their camera to take better photos. This is where the fun start. Posting the question on your favourite social media platform or searching the internet is only going to add to the confusion.
A professional grade camera will indeed produce stunning photos, but that is only half the truth, or even less.
The problem with this belief is that it is not entirely untrue.
I should know, I have been caught in this trap for a long time. It was an expensive, thoroughly frustrating, and dare I say painful lesson to learn. Photography became a love – hate relationship for a long period of time.
So, I am going to suggest something out of left field.
I like to use the phrase where the magic happens. Seems to me a lot of people believe that the magic happens in the camera, and to take better pictures, they only need a better camera. I believe the real magic inside the photographers mind. Their vision as an artist, and the skill and experience to give voice to this vision.
Try this instead: forget about buying a better camera, invest in your education. This will help you with a better understanding of photography and how it really works.
I could say spend the time reading books and magazines, watching videos, searching the internet. I have done that, but I would not endorse it. Because everyone has their own agenda, their own opinion, and more often than not, their advice is contradictory. It’s like the proverbial camel that is a horse designed by a committee.
Be discerning about what you consume because photography is hard on passengers. What that means is that you have to take an active role in creating images.
It seems to me that most beginners have difficulty understanding the exposure triangle. This is the foundation of photography. As artist, we have issues with technical jargon. I have seen many explanations about the exposure triangle and focal length ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Photography is a balance between technical skill and artistic vision. For sure you can shoot many pictures on automatic, but you still have to have the ability to take creative control. You have to learn to see.
The price you have to pay, and there is no substitute, for making stunning photographs is a commitment to spending the time and effort to learn.
It’s not a heavy price, it’s a journey of the joy of discovery, and a wonderful thing to be able to share the beauty you see in the world.
The benefits are priceless.