Who Cares What Equipment You Have?
Mar 14, 2017 22:55:04 #
I taught beginning and advanced photography for several years and often had students who could afford, and bought, the latest in equipment, but were and would always be lousy photographers. It wasn't their fault in many cases because they never studied composition or lighting or any of the other things that characterize good photographers -- but they sure had the best equipment. I am always amazed by the members of this group who gladly specify the kind of equipment they own but never talk about their work. To me, it's like a woodworker bragging about the shop equipment he owns, but an inspection of his work shows that he doesn't produce better quality products than someone with much cheaper tools.
When I was a teenager I worked in an auto repair shop where the owner paid more attention to the quality of work the workers produced than he did to their toolboxes. Sometimes, he said, a better toolbox just meant they had better credit or more money in their pockets that the other mechanics.
Just observing.
When I was a teenager I worked in an auto repair shop where the owner paid more attention to the quality of work the workers produced than he did to their toolboxes. Sometimes, he said, a better toolbox just meant they had better credit or more money in their pockets that the other mechanics.
Just observing.
Mar 14, 2017 23:19:46 #
Mar 14, 2017 23:21:35 #
Mar 14, 2017 23:25:45 #
Amen!!!
I used to ask my photo staff how the hell they could submit a bad photo these days, when they were shooting digital and could see what they had, while still on assignment!
I used to ask my photo staff how the hell they could submit a bad photo these days, when they were shooting digital and could see what they had, while still on assignment!
Mar 14, 2017 23:29:30 #
mentor38 wrote:
I taught beginning and advanced photography for se... (show quote)
It's an accurate observation. Equipment does not make you a good photographer. Knowledge and experience and skill and craftsmanship and passion and vision and a point of view do!
Mar 14, 2017 23:31:52 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
mentor38 wrote:
I taught beginning and advanced photography for se... (show quote)
You always want the best skilled workers doing a job for you. Be it a mechanic, plumber, camera repairman, etc etc. I use to know the owner of a small auto mechanic shop. He only did engine work. He was really good. He sold the shop due to health reasons. I wasn't impressed with the work of the new owner. I never returned.
Mar 14, 2017 23:36:53 #
On the other hand, there are loads of folks out there with poor equipment who take horrific photos and many could do better with better equipment. Out of a musical family, Steinway pianos were played by many of my dad's students who could make equally awful sounds with their grands. However nothing wrong with owning good equipment. My camera gear is at a level way above my talent as a photographer, but I keep trying to use it more effectively.
Mar 15, 2017 00:10:52 #
Mar 15, 2017 00:40:16 #
Mar 15, 2017 02:06:55 #
tinplater wrote:
On the other hand, there are loads of folks out there with poor equipment who take horrific photos and many could do better with better equipment. Out of a musical family, Steinway pianos were played by many of my dad's students who could make equally awful sounds with their grands. However nothing wrong with owning good equipment. My camera gear is at a level way above my talent as a photographer, but I keep trying to use it more effectively.
That's what was standing in my room, throughout my entire childhood, a Steinway wing, but I never learned playing it ( my mom was playing and she could play every and any music piece, but I was never interested and never touched that thing)!
Mar 15, 2017 04:26:58 #
I am now able to purchase some of the finest equipment made in its time and for its genre. To most it will look like antiques. But it's the best! And my pictures are still atrocious. Don't bother to counsel me about the exposure triangle, white balance or proper focal lengths. I probably knew this stuff before a lot of you were born - and I still know it. I also know - and readily admit - that I have absolutely no talent.
Mar 15, 2017 04:30:29 #
Folks will "amen" this until the cows come home but just watch what happens when a noob says "do I need a prime lens? All I have is my kit 18-55 zoom..."
There will be 10 pages of insane suggestions for how this person who can barely turn their camera on should have the latest f/1.2 L lens.
There will be 10 pages of insane suggestions for how this person who can barely turn their camera on should have the latest f/1.2 L lens.
Mar 15, 2017 05:12:52 #
mentor38 wrote:
... Who Cares What Equipment You Have?...
I care because it tells me what level of performance to expect
Mar 15, 2017 05:14:15 #
rpavich wrote:
Folks will "amen" this until the cows come home but just watch what happens when a noob says "do I need a prime lens? All I have is my kit 18-55 zoom..."
There will be 10 pages of insane suggestions for how this person who can barely turn their camera on should have the latest f/1.2 L lens.
There will be 10 pages of insane suggestions for how this person who can barely turn their camera on should have the latest f/1.2 L lens.
LOL! Please don't ask that question for a while.
I love the generalities and stereotyping. Jealous bastards!
Mar 15, 2017 05:15:04 #
DaveO wrote:
LOL! Please don't ask that question for a while.
I love the generalities and stereotyping. Jealous bastards!
I love the generalities and stereotyping. Jealous bastards!
:)
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