Anyone with any skill talking a photograph that happens to own a decent camera will undoubtedly be asked by family, friend, and stranger alike what kind of camera you shoot to get such good photos. This question is infuriating for a number of reasons, but it all boils down to the simple fact that the photo isn't made by the camera, it's made by the monkey standing behind it. It's hard making people understand that, thinking that surely your snazzy DSLR and all those lenses will make them a better shooter.
Bullpucky.
You can, and out of principal I have, often shoot the exact same photos with a point-and-shoot as you can with a DSLR. The thing that separates the pros from the Joes is knowledge. They have, you need it. That's why I'm a fan of, and point people to, Look Good In Pictures.
Look Good In Pictures is Nikon's how to series for the average Joe hosted by the bubbly Carson Kreesley. This series presents all kinds of useful and easy to approach tips and tricks that will help start those that want to learn to take better photos down a path to that goal. Granted it is by a camera manufacturer, and it does recommend it's products, but the tips and techniques suggested are the basic that everyone that wants to take better photos should know.
I don't shoot Nikon, but I am a huge fan of their products. And in all honesty, if I could, I'd be shooting a D3 with a D300 as a back up. In an absolutely perfect world I'd just have two D3s, 70-200mm f2.8, 17-35 f2.8, 50mm f1.4, and an 85mm f1.4. But I don't have that kind of coin. If someone wants to send me one however, I'll send you any picture you want. Any picture.
This post written out of an increasing amount of frustration from having to try and hammer it into people's head that IT AIN'T THE CAMERA!!!!
20081220
It ain't the kit
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4 comments:
You're exactly right, Will. That's one reason I bought a very old, but trustworthy, Canon body to get started. Old body, the basic f/1.8 50mm lens, and then I just shot a shitload of photos. Took it out of auto. Made myself think.
Heh, "bullpucky." While I'm not a pro in the least, I still get this question. My parents who have a DSLR actually asked me what camera I have because they want to take pictures like I do. When I told them I just had a Cybershot, they got pretty confused. I think I may send them this link to help out with why their pictures kinda suck.
Yes, but it's easier to blame the camera.;)
I heard of a student (his name eludes me) that took some beautiful photos with a simple Polaroid camera.
I love taking pictures with my cell phone, it can be limiting in some ways, but liberating in others.
Good luck with the "bullpuckers." ;)
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