rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I recently watched an interview with a professional photographer. Unfortunately, I didn't note who it was but my money would be placed on Daniel Milnor. The statement was made that beginners and beginning amateurs tend to focus on/discuss equipment. Advanced amateurs and professionals tend to focus on concepts/techniques. So, as the question was posed in the title, in which group are you?
--Bob

fhayes Loc: Madison, Tennessee

group two.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Group 2. I have the equipment that I need to accomplish what I want to do. Now I want to up my game in seeing the composition, being able to see any flaws that need correcting, and post processing to bring out the best of the photo.

Dodie

classic320

I'm quite sure that if Picasso and Dali met in a bar they wouldn't discuss paint brushes. I do not compare my self to either artist, I know that its my skill or lack of skill that determines the sucess of a picture, not the camera/lens I took it with......

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I focus on the entertainment. You only live once, approximately anywho. Let’s guess that 80 to 90% purport to be in group 2. That means that the previous 3,000++ pages of this section mostly magically wrote themselves. Uh huh.

BebuLamar

Group 1. I enjoy the equipment even when they are not used to take pictures.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

…everyone knows that Dali used a fine sable paint brush and made his own paint using egg yolk, water and vinegar with paint dye…and Picasso used house paint mixed with oils (Ripolin is the brand of house paint used)…and he used an iris brush…wait…that must mean…count me down under equipment…

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

While I understand your question, I also think that it risks oversimplifying things a little bit. I have spent most of this school year in the company of three art teachers. At least two of them are fine artists in their own right. The third is new to us, and I'm still learning about her. One operates a business creating work of her own design as well as doing commissions.

Together, we worked through a challenge after the order for supplies for the intaglio printing project was returned with instructions to find and select less expensive material for the plates. I guarantee that there was a lot of discussion about equipment and supplies before that challenge got solved. (Very successfully, I might add.) The new materials not only worked perfectly, but were much easier to use.

The one who has the art business has been my photography "coach" for the past four years. We never discuss photography equipment, but we've talked a lot about the new watercolor paints she has found that allow much more saturated colors than typical paints. And the new "water brushes that have a water reservoir built into the handle. And that she doesn't buy high-dollar brushes, because buying less expensive ones allows her to buy brand new ones much more often.

So I think that any claim that discussions go this way or that way is probably misplaced, at least to some extent.

And by the way...after 60+years, I hope that I'm not still in group 1.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When I was just a little boy, my parents used to take me to the camera store. I wanted to see the cameras. Such amazing designs, such amazing lenses, such amazing prices. My father would buy a new camera every few years even though his pictures where never really very good. He was always reading the DXO sharpness charts and discussing the micron size of the pixels. His images were hardly ever in focus. After he passed I was going through his things. I fear he read on UHH that equipment is what matters most and as he grew older, he never could free himself from this thought.

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A bit of that goes a looooong ways. Pic #1 shows my kitchen table, not at all arranged for the shot. I’m just a really terrible housekeeper. IOW there was a project. Now there’s another project without putting away the first one.

Pic #2 is the “active ingredients” of the current project. No space for them over on the main table, but not far off.

Every now and then I just hafta get reeeeally mad and beat this stuff back into its lair or closet or wherever. It will take over if you don’t keep herding it. And you’re not herding cows, but cats ! You cannot turn your back on this stuff.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'm in Group 3.

I don't discuss what I have or want or why I have or want it; how I do what with what I have; or the best this or that.

I just take pictures.

srt101fan

Bill_de Loc: US

Neither group would have me, so I just hang out on UHH.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Najataagihe

Group 3.14159265358978…

If and when I “discuss” photography, I just follow along with what the other finds important.

I found out, decades ago, that most folks who use cameras do not seek improvement or proficiency, but ego gratification.

So, a few “oos” and “ahs” at whatever new bauble or photo they think is the cat’s pajamas and the conversation can move smoothly to something else.