Canon's T3i - a common entry level DSLRs for beginners.
It was the time of the year, when most of my shopping was targeted for my loved ones, gifts representative of their meaning to me. I am referring to Christmas, and I was out braving the mass chaos surrounding pre Christmas shopping. However on one of many outings, I came across a little gem that stopped me long enough to loose site of why I was out in the first place. In front of me, I had the mother of "professional" cameras and it was "Fra-GEE-leh!" It must be Italian! It was a major award! I knew at that moment that the focus shifted from my loving family over to me. My creativity was about to expand. I was starting my business of photography without even knowing it, I was off to becoming a photographer. I had the famed Canon T3i Rebel
The T3i introduced me to the technical side of photography. The intent was to not stay in auto, but to develop an understanding of the settings and features of a camera. I recalled a photo that I took in Hawaii using an earlier Canon digital camera. I recalled the beauty of the photo because it was the bluest sky and the buildings just seemed surreal. But I believe that was shot in auto or perhaps I had it on a custom setting like Shutter priority, the point being, I didn't know how I captured that frame.
I decided at that point, photography was no longer going to be a stranger. More like a well respected guest. Familiar in most aspects but never taken for granted. I would be moving on to exploring photography. - circa 2013 - Jose Esquilin Photography.
In current times where we found ourselves either working from home or having a bit more creative time around the house, I encourage you to seek out a hobby to help cope with some of the unstable times we are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic. I can appreciate the finances may be limiting, but if nothing else, start creating something to take your mind off of things. Perhaps your start into photography can be accomplished simply by the camera on your phone. Time to think outside of the box. Happy photographing.