Does The Camera Make The Photographer?
Jul 1, 2016 21:28:13 #
I will probably start a war with this post...but here goes. I have heard of photographers being blasted for saying something like..."if I had a better camera....!" The usual response is....."if you know how to use a camera, you don't need an expensive camera!" Well, I will admit, if you don't know what settings to use, it doesn't matter how good your camera is, you will not get good pictures. However, I will also say, the better the camera, the better the pictures! I started out shooting with an Olympus E-3, a good camera, but not very good noise-wise. I switched to Canon, and really liked the Canon. I really liked the 7D and the 6D The 6D produced the best photos for me. Then I switched to Nikon, starting out with the D5100, a very good camera. Then I moved up to the D7200, an even better camera. But now I have the D750, and, there is no comparison to it. It produces far superior photos to the D7200. So, yes, all things being equal as far as knowing how to use a camera, the better the camera, the better the results.
Jul 1, 2016 21:34:27 #
As I was told in no uncertain terms, "Try taking a bird in flight with a Brownie Hawkeye." However I do believe that your level of skill has a great deal to do with the end result of the quality of photo
Jul 1, 2016 21:43:46 #
jradose wrote:
I will probably start a war with this post...but h... (show quote)
Not without the lens. Then maybe.
Jul 1, 2016 22:07:48 #
If you're GOOD enough, you already know the answer to this question. If you're not, you'll always be clueless!
ABSOLUTELY , the BEST gear will take the BEST images!
My guess is, that for 90% of photographers it will never matter, and the other 10% will always have the best gear, because the best images are important to them!
SS
ABSOLUTELY , the BEST gear will take the BEST images!
My guess is, that for 90% of photographers it will never matter, and the other 10% will always have the best gear, because the best images are important to them!
SS
Jul 1, 2016 22:13:24 #
There is a quote that is somewhat attributed one of the Wright Brothers, of aviation fame, that may be applicable to this question; "It is not important to have equipment with all of the latest bells and whistles, it is important to know how to use the equipment you have well!"
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Jul 1, 2016 22:17:20 #
A lot of it depends on what type of photography you are doing. I am still using an ancient Nikon D2X as a studio camera. I never have to use an ISO more than 100, I never get a demand for large prints (my work is almost all for the web or publication) and I don't have fast moving subjects. I am very happy with the quality of photos given those restrictions. I do have a newer camera for low light or fast action.
Jul 1, 2016 22:24:45 #
dandi
Loc: near Seattle, WA
jradose wrote:
So, yes, all things being equal as far as knowing how to use a camera, the better the camera, the better the results.
I think it's obvious.
Jul 1, 2016 22:25:13 #
The only difference a camera makes is how big you can print it with details. A good picture takes a good photographer.
Jul 1, 2016 22:39:51 #
tramsey wrote:
As I was told in no uncertain terms, "Try taking a bird in flight with a Brownie Hawkeye." However I do believe that your level of skill has a great deal to do with the end result of the quality of photo
But the way I look at it, I would not try and take a picture of as bird in flight if I had a Brownie as my equipment. That does not mean, that knowing and USING the limitation of my equipment, I could not take a great picture of something. I could have Canons 1200mm and still not get a great shot of a bird in flight if I did not understand composition and timing and know my equipment. Knowing your equipment, not the equipment, is what makes a great photographer.
Jul 1, 2016 22:41:06 #
Jul 1, 2016 22:56:22 #
wmurnahan wrote:
The only difference a camera makes is how big you can print it with details. A good picture takes a good photographer.
There is also high ISO performance, dynamic range, and the focusing system.
Jul 1, 2016 23:06:57 #
jradose wrote:
I will probably start a war with this post...but h... (show quote)
This guy, a world-renowned street photographer, uses a Ricoh GR and later, a Ricoh GR II.
http://www.moriyamadaido.com/english/
And these 33 images were taken after hurricane Sandy, using iPhones.
http://www.hashtagsandy.com/ABOUT-THE-BOOK/1/
You have to ask yourself - "What makes a better picture?" And rethink your statement "the better the camera, the better the pictures!"
If you are concerning yourself with noise, lens sharpness, dynamic range, MTF charts, frame rate, megapixels, etc etc etc etc etc - you are probably a gear head and NOT a photographer.
Jul 1, 2016 23:31:11 #
For me...the cheaper the gear, the better...cause I'm a tight wad...!
Jul 1, 2016 23:52:00 #
For any given photographer a "better" camera will probably result in better pictures. However, the "better" camera may depend completely on the type of photographs he/she takes. A landscape photographer may consider more Megapixels to equate to 'better'. A wildlife photographer would consider 'better' to mean faster AF, larger buffer etc. However, a mediocre photographer will probably find that a 'better' camera just makes it easier for him to continue taking mediocre pictures. A truly skilled photographer will find less improvement with a more capable camera. His/her photographs will continue to be good but getting them will be less difficult. Basically a better camera may make your pictures better, but it won't make you a better photographer.
Jul 2, 2016 00:24:24 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
jradose wrote:
I will probably start a war with this post...but h... (show quote)
Sorry, it a silly presumption. A great photographer will take great photos even with an iPhone. A mediocre photographer's photos will still be mediocre even if he/she is using a Nikon D800e. A Sony A7r II or a Canon 5DsR. Its much more about understanding composition, how to use light, and how to get the best from whatever equipment you are using. Better equipment obviously has the potential for better results in the right hands, but in the end it all comes down to who is pushing the buttons. Anyone who truly believes better equipment will make them a better photographer is deluding themselves.
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