wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Back to the orginal post. I think it's great that these no nothing equipment nuts buy all the great stuff. The volume of units sold brings down the price and when they go from photography to fishing they sell their stuff cheap on ebay and I can buy it. - Dave

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

There in lies the problem... Those who speak/write before reading, thinking or understanding. Come on people, it's simple. Those remarks were uncalled for - period.

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

I like the praise I may have gotten on this site for my few images I have submitted, but what I appreciate more is the analysis of how I can improve.
But unlike JR1 I think a thumbs up is also useful in letting the submitter know that I did not just look at her image but thought about it as well. In fact, I go back and revisit the better images so I can learn from them. When I like or dislike an image and cannot easily define why, I have to go back until I understand the image. That is when I add comments.
What is really nice is when the thing that I am not sure about in a photo is brought up by another Hog, and I learn why it caught my attention.
The best part of this site is that you can develope and help others develope as photographers. (Pun intended)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Hummm, I actually thought it was a good question. I come here, because even after 30+ years of getting paid for this stuff, I'm still loving it, and wanting to learn more. I see posts that are just snapshots of ones pet or kids or whatever. Some may be soft, some may be downright blurry. If they ask for help, people that are interested in helping them should do so. If they don't want to help, they shouldn't put down the OP's equipment or photos. Putting someone down is way different than offering help. I learn by helping also. If there is a post that I feel has no redeaming qualities, I stop reading, and go to another post. Some questions (I don't think this is one) are raised, just to create an arguement. It is sad when that happens, because it really doesn't help anyone learn. Then, in posts that do have redeaming quality, there are always those that decide they should post their own photos, just to show how much better they think they are. If photos are asked for, then that's OK. If you just post stuff to show off, that's hijacking, and not fair to OP. What does that make me? I don't know if that makes me the photographer or enthusiast. I'm enthusiastic about photography, but also make a fairly decent supplimental income on the side with it.

OK, off my soapbox.

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

Where IS mister Wahawk anyway? Seems he needs other people to defend him. Coward.....

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Winterrose, you speak such truth! I realize I'm a 'has-been' these days but I wonder how many remember the little Box Camera called 'Ansco Sure Shot Jr.? It was simply that... a Box Camera. No flash, certainly nothing automatic, unless you consider the shutter lever being 'automatic' when you pushed it and caused the camera to expose the film:o) I wish I still had copies of the few photos I sold back then to show you, taken with that little gem! Equipment certainly helps, but as you say... one could have a ton of it and still turn out crap! (Well, YOU didn't quite put it like that, but I like to paraphrase once in a while:o)

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

I own the best tools I can get my hands on to do the best job I can for my clients. That said...having been involved with advertising photography for many years...I refer to them as marketing pimps...their sole purpose in life is to convince people they really need that camera or this lens...and that it will make them better photographers..."But then if you are a good little consumer you will believe the brand makers and the advertisers"

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

You have said what I was going to say, only you said it better. I like to think of myself as a photographer, but upon looking at my photos realize still have a long way to go. I think you nailed it when you said "....turn it into a learning experience...." There are times when I think we are being to nice in our comments when requested. Thereby, doing a disservice and failing to provide a learning environment. This "don't say anything if you can't say something nice" doesn't always get it.

BTW: I always thought the quote was "A man has got to know his limitations" or are we talking about the same quote? Either way pretty much sums it up. :thumbup:

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

We have shaken off the distractions at last...

Tompar Loc: Bedfordshire UK

So are you saying you are a photographer? One would have to be fairly sure of ones self to be as honest as your are suggesting.

dave sproul Loc: Tucson AZ

I may be the "odd duck", but I tend to buy camera "stuff" like I buy computer "stuff". I try to understand what I want to be able to accomplish now and in the future and then buy a capability a little beyond that.

I have found since the days I owned an Osborne "laptop" and an Nikon F4 (and fairly well managing to learn to extract the most out of each), that I was always wanting to do little more. I also believe that like a computer system, a camera system does not need to be replaced until it is no longer supported, cost of repairing is exceeding the cost of replacing, or it does not provide the capabilities needed/wanted.

I enjoy the learning challenge to use the stuff to its limits and seeing if I can do.... .

I have end results that are not "good", but are useful as a teaching point(s). Then the difficulty is to remember what the teaching point(s) is/are. That is another issue.

This works for me.

Drigby1 Loc: American Fork, UT

Learning curves are different for everyone. The great shot is sometimes made in a split second. The missed shot is missed. Who is the judge of that? Critics sometimes are helpful and sometimes need to sit on their hands. I posted in another topic how often movie critics are just plain wrong in their analysis. A boo from them is a run to the movie from me.
If someone asks for criticism, on the proper forum, then great. If someone just butts in with unasked for criticisms then shame on them. As a teacher of thirty years you have to know your students well to tell when and where to offer criticism and when to encourage. Hard to really know people here, even in the virtual sense. We cannot see their whole life and what they deal with. I say make all feel welcome here.
That said there are "two" types of photo opportunities, the you have a nano second and the planned take your time types. So results will very with skill of person, capacity of equipment, and blooming luck.
Good luck to all and continue to snap away without discouragement. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press (of which cameras are a big part) are guaranteed rights.

One last tongue statement, definitely tongue in cheek?
What is an expert?
Someone that lives 100+ miles away from your local.
Have a good day all.

Alfred Loc: New York

I totally agree with you on that statement. :thumbup:

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Back again to the original post. Seems that the OP wants to deal with equipment/photographer IQ. I can understand it has to do with the photographers skill in all aspects of making a photo as clear and clean, with minimal distortion, and exact focus. The photographer makes the image using his own best equipment, such as lenses, camera bodies, flash, and filters for the one single image at hand. There are some problems with all this that the photographer has no control over. The type of problem I'm talking about is front/back focus of the calibration of each lens to the camera being used. There is also the problem with lens degrading. You talk of "A man must know his limitations" and write this as photographers must be responsible for the quality of his images. You are not the one to make these judgments. The market, who buys the photos make the judgement. A single photographer can within a few weeks become a published pro.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I only find the limit of my limitations by my efforts to do something and not getting a proper result. In other words my method, tools and knowledge were not sufficient to do the job right - that time
I am very much an amateur photographer who has worked slowly up through photography from my first SLR in '91 to my present - just acquired - used/almost outdated Canon Rebel 350d and a couple good lens - you darn right I have a lot to learn about my capabilities and limitations of my equipment.
Practice- practice- and more practice increases my knowledge and reduces my limitations.

"A man has to know his limitations."[/quote]