corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

i tend to use that which i like to use. i am never the most up-to-date in anything, and that suits me fine. there will always be photographers that make me go 'wow'! and this always tends to be down to their insight and composition.
i could have stephen kings typewriter or shakespeares quill, but i could never have their imagination. the equipment is a tool. nothing else.

i would like an xpan though ;-)

dofacc

As with several others that have posted here, I have been chasing photographs for a long, long time. One of the most important experiences I had was when I got into "large format" photography. I had been shooting 35 mm and 120 for quite awhile, and thought I should step up my game.

The difference between 35 mm, "medium" and "Large format" is the time and expense it takes for every shot in large format. It was when I had to spend at least 5 minutes just to set up my 4x5 camera, and spend a couple of bucks every time I opened the shutter, I learned to think much differently. A lot more patience went into my photos. I would spend a lot of time thinking about how I wanted my photo to turn out. I was even known to spend 2-3 months observing how the moon was raising over some particular landscape feature before I actually took my photo.

Not everyone takes photography that seriously. Snapshots can be quite impressive, no doubt about that. I also wish to note that some of the best photos in the world were taken by some very antiquated equipment. I would point to some of the Yosemite NP photos from a century ago.

The point is, while I was shooting 4x5, my photo quality didn't improve over my 35 mm or 120 shots until I learned to think in a different way. It is not the equipment that makes the photo, though it can be indispensable. It is the photographer that sees the photo before the shutter opens, that makes the photo.

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

spot on dofacc. the part of slowing down and considering, costs nothing but is priceless.

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

But - all things being equal between two photographers (knowledge, experience, artistic ability...), who gets better pictures, the one with the $250 Canon with a kit lens, or the one with the $2000 Canon with an expensive "L" series lens ?

Drigby1 Loc: American Fork, UT

The one who knows their specific equipment the best. Up to a certain point of course.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

LOL - this is where the egotistical photographers will chime in that it takes the very most expensive equipment along with the most well educated and skilled photographer to produce excellent photos which may be true in most of the difficult settings but by far not in most everyday shooting.
That is one reason for such large memory card - these above mentioned folks take a lot of photo to pick their best from.
IMHO
Harvey
-

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Wait....what??? Photographers with egos? Huh, never would have thought.... :lol:

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I think it all comes down to hope. You hope to get a great photo and are disappointed with the results. Hense post processing. If that fails, ask for advice. If still failing ask advice at a shop because they 'must know all about photography'. Be given hope in return for money.

If you want to be a professional photographer see what other professionals use. Take note of their exif files and how and with what they shoot. Build a wish list and assume that tools maketh the master. They will also advise on what is best,because they know what other professionals are using or stating.

Hobbies are great and so are hobbyists: Those who tinker with bits of broken things and make something else that works should be applauded in an age of 'throw away'. Hence the photographer that turns an old camera to IR or adds adapters to use non standard lenses etc. Old is good, can be argued when you have a full understanding of how and why things work.

The forum has these people answering peoples questions. How do I take a better photograph? will be told read the manual, change their skill level, buy a new gizmo or adapt their existing equipment. Is there a short cut? Probably not, but Hope wishes that there was.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Well put, enough said by me.

Pappy

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Artist who uses photography

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

So typical. More insults.
Just because he doesn't defend himself does not make him a coward. He doesn't "NEED" me to defend him.
I am not sure if you really noticed, but I am not actually defending anyone. I am attacking the caustic insults that you spout on here.

Maybe he is brave in spite of the hurtful shit that you dribble, and chooses to ignore your acidic remarks.

Personally I think your original question was a very valid question. But I also think this site is about more than valid questions. It is about respect as well.

You are probably not capable of engaging in a discussion of opposing opinions without throwing hurtful insults around, so I think this site, and everyone here, would be better off if bullying thugs like you pissed off somewhere else or grew up.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Define better

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

My original comment - "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."

Just for clarification - I wasn't defending Winterrose, I was agreeing with Wahawk and commenting about those who don't completely read the posts.

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

Let's not get philosophical... : )

Doug B Loc: Edmonton Alberta

Sometimes I think we are to critical of ourselves in striving for the perfect photo. I have found that in many cases while we may think a photo is not very good, others think it is great.
Ever have someone pick out a photo they absolutely
love while ignoring the ones that you think are great ?. It seems to be in the eye of the beholder and what they like and how that photo effects them on an emotional level.