winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

There are photographers and there are camera buffs.

There is a BIG difference.

So many times when someone posts a photograph and asks for opinion on how to improve it, or asks if this lens or that is recommended, how often is the answer to go buy a much more expensive lens. Or that there might be something wrong with back focusing with the camera or that spending two grand on a full frame body.

Too often the absolute quality or performance of the equipment is put to blame.

Are we too sensitive to simply accept that we fluffed the photo? And are we too preoccupied to protect another's sensitivities to provide useful criticism?

All the usual cameras and lenses (except perhaps an oddball mistake or two) are perfectly OK at making images. There are a lot of the people who use them that are not. If you are that good that your $500 camera and your $500 lens are holding you back then start talking about equipment.

But then if you are a good little consumer you will believe the brand makers and the advertisers and spend heaps chasing the perfect photograph when all it really takes is a good eye, a bit of imagination and a reasonable knowledge and understanding of what you have.

And that costs nothing.

Rob.

raysass Loc: Brooklin, On, Canada.

raysass Loc: Brooklin, On, Canada.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Rob,
I will be the first to admit that, barring the catastrophic failure of a piece of equipment, I am solely responsible for the outcome of my attempts to take a photograph. I am not artistically gifted, I tend to rush, i know the subject is beyond the capabilities of my equipment or I just plain goofed. Failure in trying to capture a prize-winning photo a flying swallow at 500 yards with a 35mm lens on my point and shoot is not the cameras fault and not the birds fault; it's my fault for trying. BUT, unless I recognize the problem and turn it into a learning experience, I have failed twice - first for the picture and second from failing to learn. And I have a large HDD of examples to prove the validity of that argument.

"A man has to know his limitations."

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

A good quotation and certainly one for us all to keep in mind. There are situations which require specialized equipment such as capturing your hypothetical swallow at an impossible distance so let us be thankful for the likes of David Attenborough and his team. For more achievable subjects however we probably all own equipment which in suitable hands is capable of wonderful results. Its just a matter of closing the gap. (Quote- "take each photograph as though it's your last"- unquote) Rob.

travlnman46 Loc: Yakima WA

Hi winterrose: I think I resemble that remark. I know for a fact I tend to be more of a camera buff that a great photographer. Having said that, I am also learning as I go along, to become a photographer, thanks to the great folks here. I was fortunate when I started, because I had been given a Brand new Canon 5D Mark II in exchange for some work I had done. I actually didn't even open the box for over a year, thinking that he would want it back. After that time I started looking around for used lenses The first ones I bought were a 50mm 1.8 II and a 75-300mm 1.4 III. Keep in mind I had no idea concerning quality of glass or anything, just that I had some idea that I needed a lens something for everyday (or so I thought) and some thing for photographing things over a distance. (telephoto). Beyond that I knew nothing about even where to begin not even how to turn the camera on. To be honest I was afraid of ruining the thing. I began by reading not only the manual but also a book specific to my camera by Brian Mc Lernon after that I read the three "The digital photography books." Scott Kelby Since joining the UHH forum I have learned so much and continue to learn on a daily basis. Thanks to family gifts for Christmas, Father's Day, and my Birthday I have obtained, three other good quality lenses, including one "L" series lens, only one of them new and a couple of flash attachments, etc.. So I guess I'm a camera buff learning to be a photographer.
Now as for posting photographs I have only posted pix a couple of times myself, mainly because I'm hyper critical of my own work. I see other work posted so superior to what I have achieved thus far and I have also seen work her that I would have deleted before posting, not because they were wanting constructive criticism but because they were looking for a pat on the back. Not that we don't all need a pat on the back from time to time, because we do. There is a very fine line between constructive critique and throwing bombs at them. I try, not always successfully, to be careful with the words I chose to use here to help, not discourage, to share my limited knowledge not to say look at "ME" how important I am. When I say I like a photograph I do like the photo, indeed it may not be "clinical perfection" but there is something that I see, that I liked. I remember seeing one photo of a landscape a plowed field and some green field. I personally would have deleted it, but that photo sold for one million dollars. I still understand whet the buyer saw but they liked it and felt it was worth the price. So I guess what I'm saying opinions are like noses... every body has one.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Stuff like this really belongs in Chit Chat!! No redeeming value here!

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Who the heck are you? Get back in your box. This is a photography discussion not an avenue for you to air your ignorance. Come back when your IQ becomes greater than your breathalyser reading. Need I say more? Twit. Have a nice day..... Rob.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'm not a photographer...just an amateur having fun.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Winter, the poelease are after ya !!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Wahawk, it's not winters fault. For God's sake, he shots a Nikon !!

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Why? For calling a twit a twit?

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

I could suggest a chit chat with an intellectual (not) twit.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

AMAZING isn't it? I start what I believe is a reasonable thread, I get three intelligent responses, then a moronic thing that calls itself "Wahawk" butts in. Is there an open sewer around here?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

The camera doesn't take the photograph I DO, I ALWAYS take the best photograph I can in any situation, it may be poor but it will be the best I am able to take.

I buy the best equipment I need, NOT the best I can afford, I see no reason to own a H4D-312 Hassle when I have no need for it, I do however have a need for the 4 DSLRs I have and the lenses I have.

I also consider myself NOT a camera buff, but as people will know I usually have an answer for most problems or solutions to questions, that is because I have been into photography since I was 11 and like to find solutions to problems rather than ask others that way I "teach myself".

As for your comment

"And are we too preoccupied to protect another's sensitivities to provide useful criticism"

YOU KNOW ME..

I never have and never will say "oh nice set", "Great shot" which is of NO help at all to anyone, I say rubbish ... BUT, if you do this or did that.

Or I say Good shot, I like this. that is good. lighting is....."