SLR cameras, Photography, and Golf: What SLR camera should I get/buy?

My uncle who is an avid golfer, recently asked me my suggestion on what SLR to get after seeing some of my pictures from a recent shoot. This is what I said:


“Photography is like golf — the clubs only matter when you can tell the difference between beginner clubs and pro clubs.”

1. SLR Camera: For those just starting out like he is, I suggest getting the cheapest SLR from Nikon or Canon with the stock lens (to get a wide angle) and splurge on a 50mm 1.8 (for low light practice). There’s plenty of amazing things you can do for around $500-$600, and many have done it. Just check Flickr and browse pictures from one of it’s low end SLR cameras such as the Canon Rebel XT or the Nikon D40.
2. Money to burn, Classes to take: At this point, if you have money to burn, I suggest you find a photographer you admire that teaches workshops or classes. For myself, I took a community college studio course at West Valley College in Saratoga about 4 years ago. Each studio course ran for 12 weeks for the quarter, and cost a meer $27. I took it for a year, ending with an outdoor summer class. The class taught me the basics of lighting, photographer-subject interaction, and the importance of a qualified critique.
3. Practice, practice, practice: After getting the right education, make sure to practice, practice, practice. After that, practice some more. (that includes me!). I find that sometimes, the vision I had in my head and the pictures that would come out of the camera would sometimes mismatch, up to now. That’s because people pictures are dynamic — you never know what you’re gonna get from your subject. And lighting situations are sometimes dynamic.