Merrylog Help
Merrylog has gone through several cameras over its lifetime! From its beginnings to mid 2004, the photos were all taken by an old Olympus point-and-shoot digital camera. From 2004 to January 2007, photos were captured with a Canon Powershot G5, typically called a "pro-sumer" camera (the most recent version of this camera is the Canon Powershot G10).
In January 2007 I finally upgraded to a full digital SLR: a Canon EOS 30D (the most recent version of this camera is the Canon EOS 40D or the Canon EOS 50D). I own two fixed lenses (a 50mm f1.4 - often called the nifty fifty - and a 100mm f/2.8 Macro and one zoom: a 17-40mm f/4L. All Merryvaluations photos are taken with the same cameras in the same time frames.
If I've learned one thing, it's this: it matters very little what camera you have while you're learning. Every camera on the planet can take good photographs - it's crucial to take the time to practice. Spending more money will not make you a better photographer.
How can I take photos like this?
Good question! I used to ask the same thing. After nearly five years of shooting daily photos of the princess, I can say this:
- Turn the flash off. If there isn't enough natural light to shoot your dog, don't shoot her.
- Try different angles, different light conditions, different times of day.
- Practice, practice, practice. We shoot nearly every day, and we take at least 50 shots with every shoot - sometimes for a single great shot, there will be 49 really terrible ones!
- Make sure you read our Ultimate Guide to How to Photograph Your Dog from stem to stern.
How can I learn what camera to buy?
Try one of these sites for excellent camera reviews:

