I found this very interesting and humorous. Well worth a read.
So many become focused on gear, and the fairy tail of, "incredibly expensive gear, will automatically make me a better photographer".
http://www.theonlinedarkroom.com/2014/10/did-leica-kill-leica-photography.html
As somebody, who has not been lucky shooting with any model of Leika, I find this way of thinking a bit stretched. A feel of composition, a good eye, familiarity with your gear and strong/week points of you lenses, understanding the light are most important and I do not question these points. Now our gear is better and more adaptive. In a way SLR photography became more complex as there are so many options that can potentially help you creating images you want, so for many people it becomes overwhelming. Probably 90% of the features are not essential but they are nice to have - right? My first day in Vienna was rainy. It was pouring down all day long... I could not use my SLR and had to stick to my poin-n-shoot that is - luckily - waterproof. Most of the pictures from this day lack the quality I want. Even if they are composed to my taste the camera's ability to handle the highlights and shoot in the not perfect lighting conditions make my post processing much more difficult. Could I take better images using this same camera? -Of course I could, no question about it and still I wish I could hold my Canon instead.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert for sure. I started with a Kodak EasyShare and got what I felt were amazing pics, of course when you shoot a million you are bound to get at least one that is worthy of print ;) my husband got me a Nikon D3100 18-55 VR kit and I have yet to really learn how to use it...I think I need to take a class. A friend brought me a Nikon N6006 in a bag that was loaded with filters and lenses but of course who uses 35mm film cameras in this age of instant gratification ;) what I use most is my phone...I edit on it if I want to do something fun but most times I post what was clicked. I think that what makes a good picture great most often is not equipment but your eye and framing, does your passion come through in the pic. There is so much I want to really learn and understand because I realize it would really help improve the quality per se but you still have to have a knack and love for what you're doing. :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way the graph is really spot on ;) love it...I'm seeking after the knowledge part at this point and am checking into the community colleges around me for some classes...
In response to primarily Michael Mossiagin, but to some extent all, I would add this...
ReplyDeleteYes, a good camera, of any brand, can make taking quality pictures easier. Especially so, if the situation is less than optimum for photography. However, the overpowering difference is in the photographer, his/her self. No amount of outrageously expensive gear, will let a person take better photographs - period. You may get 'lucky' sometime, and against all odds, get a great shot. This is true. But to anywhere reliably do so, requires some knowledge, some training, and some understanding.
In almost every case, a $100.00 dollar corse in photography, will do vastly better than $1,000.00 dollars of gear. Any skill requires training and practice. And is always assisted by training. Far more then spending money on equipment.
Understanding the limitations, and strong points of your gear is crucial to having successes in being reliably good. When, after much thought and outside evaluation, you are assured, that something (anything) new will assist in your endeavor to be more skilled, with your craft - then by all means, if you can, get something new/else/better.
But never think, that, if only I had "X", I could do better...
Oshi Shikigami I totally agree. I think it clarifies my point farther. I think it is smart to buy your gear when you feel a need to have a specific feature (plus some extra features to explore in future) rather than to buy an expensive camera and use it always in its automatic mode.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. And, what is even sadder, is the people that buy them, only because they are a 'status symbol', and if they use them at all, they take snapshot pictures that are totally uninspired.
ReplyDeleteOr, they tuck them away in a 'safety deposit box', unopened, and figure that someday it will be worth twice as much.
To have truly fine gear, and not use it to it's potential, just deprives someone who would. While driving the price into a level so high, only the rich will have one, not the artist.