Can you believe this was taken with a cheap digital camera?

Can you imagine what she will be able to with a really good camera? She is saving up for a camera that costs about $800.00. If she can do this with a $100.00 camera, what pictures will she be bringing to us in the future? I think her pictures are nice but then again, I am biased. I am her mom. It is good to know other people's opinions.

Her cheap camera is a Sony digital that we bought at Walmart several years ago. My dad sent her his old cameras. He wants her to learn "old school" so she will appreciate the convienance of digital. One of the camera's is a Nikon 35mm that has many different lens to attach to it. (about $5,000 worth of camera and equipment) This camera has been all around the world many times. The other camera is also a 35mm with lens and filters and stuff. My dad bought it in Germany when he was in the Service during the Korean War. So it is old. She has not done a lot with the two cameras that my dad sent to her. She is afraid of breaking them and considers them to be like an inheritance from her grandfather. The camera she is looking at purchasing is a digital 35mm. I think it is a Nikon. And she wants all the toys to go with it. I am glad she is researching it a lot first. I know my husband is guiding her through this process of picking out proper equipment for her future.

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of camera is she looking at? The one huge piece of advice I was given when I got my digital slr was to focus more on glass than on the body. An average body with a great lens is a better combination than average glass and a great body. I personally have the Rebel XT, and just recently picked up a lens that has a constant 2.8 aperture. Kicking myself for not investing in this lens months ago when I first bought my camera. Go with better glass right off the bat, otherwise she'll regret wasting money on the middle of the run lenses. Also wise to look at a 50mm f/1.8 lens. They're pretty cheap in comparison to other lenses, and the aperture capability is a HUGE bonus.

The focus would be the photo itself. Knowing that a 16 year old took the photo and what kind of camera was involved in the process of capturing the photo could be of influence in the opinion of the audience. What would you think of the photograph if I was to tell you that after taking this photo, she came home and painted an image of this photo on canvas in acrylic oils??? If i told you the photo became a template for a painting, what would your thoughts be??? By using the different settings on the camera, she can get different lighting compositions. The yellow trail is a dirt road at dusk.

minnie, she is studying to be a photographer.