Buy new gear or learn how to use your gear to get the photos you want?
Apr 1, 2018 06:15:22 #
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??
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??
Apr 1, 2018 07:18:39 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
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.
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.
Apr 1, 2018 07:34:39 #
What does somebody's hair have to do with anything?
Apr 1, 2018 07:42:39 #
LWW wrote:
if you can’t get great photos at all then new gear won’t help you.
I take good pictures. I would never claim to take great pictures, but when I finally get a Pentax KP to replace my K-30, I will take better pictures because of the many times I am hampered by the practical ISO limit of the K-30.
Apr 1, 2018 07:44:26 #
Apr 1, 2018 07:48:24 #
Oh, I forgot. Here is the link to Mike Browne on youtube. I highly recommend this guy. He is one of the best in regards to photography advice on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/photoexposed
http://www.youtube.com/user/photoexposed
Apr 1, 2018 07:57:59 #
Mac wrote:
What does somebodies hair have to do with anything?
I am not sure, but wonder if they use it to distract people watching those videos they make.
Apr 1, 2018 08:32:46 #
I imagine that many of those who make videos push a specific brand as a quid pro quo for receiving free or reduced cost gear. Or they may be an employee of a manufacturer. Or it may be that they love that brand.
Technology can make things easier but it won't necessarily make photos better. If your camera took good pictures 5 years ago, it will take good photos today and will continue to take good photos 5 years from now.
Camera companies need to sell gear to make money so they must continue to bring out new gear with tech advances and more bells and whistles and hype it as the answer to our dreams of better results.
My opinion is to learn to use what you have and use the money you save by not buying new gear to go on photo journeys.
Technology can make things easier but it won't necessarily make photos better. If your camera took good pictures 5 years ago, it will take good photos today and will continue to take good photos 5 years from now.
Camera companies need to sell gear to make money so they must continue to bring out new gear with tech advances and more bells and whistles and hype it as the answer to our dreams of better results.
My opinion is to learn to use what you have and use the money you save by not buying new gear to go on photo journeys.
Apr 1, 2018 08:45:52 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
rehess wrote:
I take good pictures. I would never claim to take great pictures, but when I finally get a Pentax KP to replace my K-30, I will take better pictures because of the many times I am hampered by the practical ISO limit of the K-30.
That is what I was talking about with an upgrade in IQ due to a technical improvement.
If you couldn’t get goog IQ from the old one, the new one wouldn’t help.
Apr 1, 2018 08:48:09 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Mac wrote:
What does somebody's hair have to do with anything?
I took it as a slam on FRO KNOWS FOE-TOE who I believe is quite knowledgeable but sometimes obnoxious.
My guess is that his hair is that way because he likes his hair that way.
Apr 1, 2018 09:28:42 #
JPL wrote:
There is a lot of topics here where people are ask... (show quote)
I, also, am a fan of Mike Browne and follow him faithfully on YouTube and signed up for his FREE videos. Truly, Mike is a passionate professional and can make a huge difference in the quality your shots. I would also recommend a fellow named Dave Morrow. Look him up on YouTube. His teaching ability is on par with Mike's and as you said there's no sales pitch involved about gear. Both do offer teaching products and guided photography outings if you are so inclined.
Apr 1, 2018 09:44:26 #
I ran across a quote a while back but didn't write it down or bookmark it so I'm not sure of the exact wording but it went something like this:
"Expertise in photography is achieved by practice not purchase."
"Expertise in photography is achieved by practice not purchase."
Apr 1, 2018 09:54:13 #
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.
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.
Apr 1, 2018 10:14:30 #
Steve Perry wrote:
As many of you know, I have a YouTube photo channe... (show quote)
Hi Steve.
I must apologize for not mentioning you in this topic in the beginning because you have actually done many great videos about how to use a camera and specific camera settings. I have enjoyed many of your videos because they are truly helpful.
But for the beginners or those who have not figured out how to get good results with their gear it is important to help them understand how to improve. They usually seem to think that the way forward is different gear and there fore swallow everything about new gear. Of course this is good for the gear manufacturers and those who are sponsered. Actually this gear focused info stream is good for all but the people not knowing how to take good pictures. And I do not want to spoil gear sales or anything. I would think if people really learn how to use their gear they will continue to buy new gear but do it in a different manner, knowing what they are doing and what new gear would fit their needs. As the questions here usually are they are telling me that people often have no clue about what they are doing, just hoping a new gear that they have no idea about how to use will make them a better photographer.
Apr 1, 2018 10:24:34 #
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.........
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.........
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