Lens, Camera, Challenge?
Oct 23, 2017 12:49:08 #
Oct 24, 2017 06:32:11 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
deer2ker wrote:
After reading a ton of discussions on this site ab... (show quote)
That would be my Nikon 43-86 mm zoom. NO THANKS.
Oct 24, 2017 06:57:58 #
The photographer takes the picture, not the camera. An expensive lens and camera does not guarantee you will get good pictures.
Oct 24, 2017 08:59:33 #
The user has to have the skill to use the tool. Better the skill the better the user can do with low level tools. Better tool helps to grow the skill and at the same time allows, if not encouraging a greater breadth and depth to the users skill.
Oct 24, 2017 09:16:39 #
This perpetual argument has been filled with empty rhetoric for years, many years. The truth is simple: good (expensive) equipment will not make you a better PHOTOGRAPHER, but it will make it easier for you to take better PICTURES. Note the difference. The photographer is one half of the equation and the equipment is the other. One cannot compensate for the inadequacies of the other. A great photographer may be able to take better pictures with poor equipment than a mediocre photographer can take with the top of the line equipment. But that is irrelevant. He/she would take better pictures with good equipment than they can with poor. Whatever your status is as a photographer, it will not improve when you buy better equipment, but the quality of your picture output may well improve. If you want to improve your capability you would be wiser to invest your money in training.
Oct 24, 2017 09:20:46 #
cthahn wrote:
The photographer takes the picture, not the camera. An expensive lens and camera does not guarantee you will get good pictures.
Agreed. It does not guarantee anything. And it may not help you take good pictures. On the other hand it is unlikely to make your pictures worse and it may very well help you get better pictures (if maybe not actually 'good' ones).
Oct 24, 2017 09:31:59 #
True statement. And for me, I want to be a "better" photographer so I am challenging myself to not depend on my "better" equipment to learn from. There are quite a few university photographers around here that are making their students start in the darkroom with film. Some of you will scoff at that but I think it is brilliant - it makes the student take their time and intentionally study their composition, lighting, etc.. at the very least it will make them really appreciate the new technology lol! This was meant as a fun challenge and not a heated discussion (there are plenty of those here ;)
Oct 24, 2017 09:38:27 #
I sincerely hope that nobody will get confused when members of the forum state that it is not the camera or lens but the photographer. I know we are all different but what that is telling me is that without the experience and the expertise of a knowledgeably photographer the camera and lens could be useless. We take the pictures, not the camera or lens. Before someone get excited about my statement I must say that I have never seen a camera or lens taking pictures without the guidance of an operator.
A kit lens, of which there are many, can do a great job when we do our part. Modern cameras are technological marvels and usually they have more features than we can use in our lifetime. That also applies to entry level cameras. Any entry camera with a kit lens can do a marvelous job but it needs the right operator.
Since you suggested to post pictures with such "lowly" lenses I am posting one of my late father with one of my children. It was made inside a restaurant a few years ago with bounced flash using a Nikon D70s and the 18-55 f3.5-5.6 VR kit lens.
I do not believe I could have done better with a professional lens and camera except for better control of noise.
A kit lens, of which there are many, can do a great job when we do our part. Modern cameras are technological marvels and usually they have more features than we can use in our lifetime. That also applies to entry level cameras. Any entry camera with a kit lens can do a marvelous job but it needs the right operator.
Since you suggested to post pictures with such "lowly" lenses I am posting one of my late father with one of my children. It was made inside a restaurant a few years ago with bounced flash using a Nikon D70s and the 18-55 f3.5-5.6 VR kit lens.
I do not believe I could have done better with a professional lens and camera except for better control of noise.
Oct 24, 2017 09:49:38 #
Exactly. Great photo - I got caught up in the excitement when I started back into photography a year ago, and with all of the options you have today as well as PP - anyone can take good pictures. I am challenging myself to learn to take great pics again by focusing on technique and comp. That is "my" story and doesn't need to be anyone else's. I was just inspired by my Dad's old equipment and am going to pay homage to him and use some of his old stuff to learn more! I just think it would be fun and just like your great pic...it may take some back...
camerapapi wrote:
I sincerely hope that nobody will get confused whe... (show quote)
Oct 24, 2017 10:09:52 #
You know, Deer2ker, I think you have the right attitude. Unless you are a professional earning your livelihood with your camera, treating everything you read, see, and hear as a challenge makes life a lot more fun.
Oct 24, 2017 10:37:49 #
deer2ker wrote:
After reading a ton of discussions on this site ab... (show quote)
It is also about the moment. This photo was taken with a point and shoot Casio Exlim, in Afghanistan by my son. I gave him the camera when he was deployed because it closed itself up and was tiny enough to fit in a small pocket. This photo is sharp and tells a rather profound story. So is is not always the equipment or the photographer, sometimes it is the chance moment that says it all.
Oct 24, 2017 10:42:41 #
This is such a great photo Cat - tells so much!
CatMarley wrote:
It is also about the moment. This photo was taken with a point and shoot Casio Exlim, in Afghanistan by my son. I gave him the camera when he was deployed because it closed itself up and was tiny enough to fit in a small pocket. This photo is sharp and tells a rather profound story. So is is not always the equipment or the photographer, sometimes it is the chance moment that says it all.
Oct 24, 2017 10:43:28 #
insman1132 wrote:
You know, Deer2ker, I think you have the right attitude. Unless you are a professional earning your livelihood with your camera, treating everything you read, see, and hear as a challenge makes life a lot more fun.
Oct 24, 2017 11:24:21 #
travelwp wrote:
I just bought a new camera and this was my personal challenge: leave the zooms at home and just take the 45mm prime on a shoot. It's been a little over a month now and I find that I am paying more attention to composing my shots.
I'm in my final project for a photo course I'm taking and decided to make it all about learning my new 50 mm lens. I've been shooting with it exclusively for about two months now and I'm thinking that's what I ought to do with any equipment I buy - use it long enough to really get a feel for it and then I'll be able to better choose which of my equipment pieces to use on any given shoot. It's allowed me to practice all those settings I've been learning about in a more controlled way, and given me lots of ideas of what to add to my bag (including a new bag).
Oct 24, 2017 12:22:11 #
BlueMorel wrote:
and then I'll be able to better choose which of my equipment pieces to use on any given shoot.
You made a wise choice going with the 50mm for your course. Because you have to 'walk' to get the shot, your compositions are probably better and as your above comment suggests, you have a solid grasp as to what equipment to use for a given shoot.
Good luck in future shoots and have fun.
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