There is a lot of topics here where people are asking how to upgrade their gear to be able to take better pictures. So there is truly a need for good source of info on how to get the results people are hoping for. UHH is one of the places to look for answers. Youtube is another place. Unfortunately the trend is more in the direction of helping people spend money on new gear rather than helping them learn how to use the gear they already have. And the newbees do not know what to believe, if they need a new gear or not.

Many popular Youtube cannels about photography are run by camera gear salesman with strange hair. Either it is a lot of hair, like they have never cut their hair or they are completly bold or they have boudoir white hair despite not being very old. But most of those strangely haired guys have one in common, they are telling people what gear to buy to take better photos, which in my mind is a kind of strange advice for photographers who do not know what they are doing.

I recently came across a youtube channel that is full of common sense and really good advice about how to use a digital camera and how to compose etc. and they are not focused on selling camera gear or websites, but only helping people get the good results all modern dslr and mirrorless cameras can deliver. The guy behind this youtube channel is Mike Browne. He has a "common" looking hair and that seems to go in line with common sense advice on his channel.

Would it be a good idea to collect in one topic some more of this kind of info to help people to use their gear better and use as reference for those who want to upgrade their gear because they think that is the key to improve their photograpy. The info on Mikes Browne channel alone could probably save UHH members more than million dollars a year in useless gear upgrades.

What do you think about this idea??

It's the way our up and coming generation thinks - more expensive gear means they'll take better pictures, right?
Can't actually play the guitar? No problem, this video game can let you pretend to play.
Can't really play baseball? No sweat, this other video game lets you pretend to play.
Can't really take a decent photo ? Technology to the rescue - big bucks for gear and PP will cure that, right??

NOT !! All photographers should be required to start with a 4x5 full-movement view camera, and learn the damned basics.

And speaking of Browns, I'm waiting for our own Ed Brown (Old Hippy) to do some instructionals.........

New gear can marginally help someone take better photos if they know how to take great photos in the first place. This is due to a new body having a step of two better light sensitivity or higher shutter speed or VR. The improvements will only come in situations that require the added ability at the fringes.

OTOH if you can’t get great photos at all then new gear won’t help you.

Since the first EXAKTA 35mm DLR people have been taking great photos.

I see people post here routinely that have never learned to shoot off of full auto, never bothered to learn good hand holding skills etcetera.

Technology can be a great tool, but usually is a poor crutch.

As many of you know, I have a YouTube photo channel as well and I can tell you why you see so many gear vids.

The thing is, I don't get a single dime from Nikon or anyone else - the exchange of money only goes one way, from my wallet to their bank account. However, I do the gear reviews because that's what people want. Those video ALWAYS get more views than the technique ones - and I do a bit of both. And even when I do technique videos, I seldom get questions or followup on the techniques described, but "what lens was that" or what tripod was that" type of questions.

The truth is, people will give lip service to how much more important technique is than gear, but when the rubber meets the road, most of them will hit the gear videos before the technique ones. IMO, that's a pity too. Not only do I firmly believe that technique is 80%+ of a good image, but I prefer to make those kinds of videos as well. However, the constant screams for reviews and gear questions make it nearly mandatory that I do gear videos as well. Interestingly, and to further prove my point, I get next to zero requests for specific technique videos.

As many of you know, I have a YouTube photo channel as well and I can tell you why you see so many gear vids.

The thing is, I don't get a single dime from Nikon or anyone else - the exchange of money only goes one way, from my wallet to their bank account. However, I do the gear reviews because that's what people want. Those video ALWAYS get more views than the technique ones - and I do a bit of both. And even when I do technique videos, I seldom get questions or followup on the techniques described, but "what lens was that" or what tripod was that" type of questions.

The truth is, people will give lip service to how much more important technique is than gear, but when the rubber meets the road, most of them will hit the gear videos before the technique ones. IMO, that's a pity too. Not only do I firmly believe that technique is 80%+ of a good image, but I prefer to make those kinds of videos as well. However, the constant screams for reviews and gear questions make it nearly mandatory that I do gear videos as well. Interestingly, and to further prove my point, I get next to zero requests for specific technique videos.