Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

WRONG! That is not what Adams said and seriously distorts what he meant.

The person behind the camera is just the most important thing, but the equipment is still very significant too. Consider that Adams for his entire career used only top quality gear, both in the field and in the darkroom (where he designed and built his own enlargers).

We should never dismiss either the gear or the photographer..

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Well I have to say that the occasional f/w upgrade has yielded some positive results, and that Magic Lantern has enabled some new creative opportunities.

Primarily I would have to say that silicone enhancement seldom delivers really worthwhile lasting results, just like the over use of HDR. You can tell that it is artificial nine times out of ten. But sometimes it is worth checking out very closely, just to be sure.

At the end of the day there is nothing to beat a hands on expereience.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Getting a new camera - or a new anything - can give you a significant boost. While that old timer sits on the shelf gathering dust, a new model will get the juices flowing and make you want to go out and use it. It won't make you creative, but it will give you the opportunity to get out there and try different things.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Another one who has no clue what Adams said!

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi, Succumbing to A GAS attack could make things worse because of the technology becomes more important than the picture. It is the person who creates the picture not the camera, so use what you have until it limits what you want to do.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Sometimes being satisfied with what you have is the smart way to be. However, if you are not entirely satisfied, think about the source of that dissatisfaction.

Is it your photographic results? Is it your artistic vision and creativity that are lacking? Or is your photography being held back by the gear you are using?

As long as you can accomplish your photographic goals with what you have, with the quality you desire, then being satisfied with your current gear is good. But if you have begun to feel the need for some way to improve the quality, then an upgrade might be just what you need! Sometimes it is not a new camera, but a new lens, or a specific type of filter, etc. Or a new, better computer.

The D7000 was my first DSLR, purchased in 2012, and I still have it and use it. But the more I learned about photography, and the more progress I made in being able to get the desired results, it soon became clear that an upgrade was in my future. That was when I started trading in my DX lenses for FX lenses. I also bought a selected few filters and some other accessories that would be useful, but only when I recognized that these items would be a benefit. I was looking for better resolution in my images, and a FF camera was what I chose to fulfill that requirement. But no precipitous GAS attack - planning over time and preparation for me, so I only had to buy the camera when ready. Just got the D810 last fall when Nikon had some nice price reductions around the holidays. Love it!

Part of my "upgrade plan" was the computer, because shooting in RAW means editing to achieve the desired final result. So I also acquired a new desktop computer, tower was custom-built, with a 27" monitor. It is like a jig-saw puzzle - the pieces have to be put together in a certain way to produce the final picture!

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Using advanced technology does not automatically make it more important than the picture. Photography requires technology. Advanced technology is always an assist.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Artistic vision and creativity do not come incorporated into softwares. Artistic vision or creativity does not come incorporated either inside a camera or lens no matter how sophisticated they are.
Artistic vision can be taught but creativity is something that is inside you and you have to learn how to develop it.
No, new camera or lenses will develop either one.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I upgraded my Nikon D5100 to a D500 and gave my old camera to my son. My wife wanted a smaller camera so I bought her a Sony a6000. With the D500 I shoot birds in flight with Nikon 200-500. Here is a shot from a recent trip to Kruger national Park South Africa

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Never ignore ANY element of the photographic process that may aid you in producing the desired end result....

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

None of it can be expressed without technology. The more advanced the technology the higher the potential level of creativity. They go hand in hand.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

The tech and creativity will eventually feed on each other. Milk them both until you have reached the limits of tech that requires an "upgrade" to achieve the new heights of creativity. (....and I recognize that whatever your existing tech will never truly limit your ability to be creative but it WILL keep you from SOME levels of creativity ... lighting being one. Ie you will need off-camera speedlights with CTO gel filters to capture that fill flash landscaped beach couple shot after the sun has just set in the background.....ain't gettin that one without equip and/or photoshop :-) ....and yes, some of my fav photos are still ones I took with my first body and kit lens....

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Most of my keepers come from when I use MANUAL on my camera, and MANUAL on my three SB-800 and one SB-900 flash units. So, I could still be using my 1969 Nikon F with standard non metering prism with the 105 mm 2.5 and get outstanding results. Or, any of my digital camera's on full manual, so the answer is NO for me, I do not need the latest technology to achieve good results. I try to keep post processing to a bare minimum, just me, I try to do everything in the camera to achieve my results.
That said, I own the D500 and use the 200-500 for GREAT shots of birds in flight using the latest technology available to me.