Does Equipment Matter???

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Permalink Reply by paul holmes on December 7, 2007 at 7:49am

hi jeanette i think first you have to have agood eye and a bit of imagination i have seen some fantastic shots on point and shoot cameras.yes sure you can take better pictures with better cameras,lenses etc,but for me its all in the eyes and the mind.

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Permalink Reply by Peter on December 7, 2007 at 8:42am

ok, if you have seen my photos they are all taken on a 200 dollar, point and shot camera. I have found ways to control the shutter speed, and the fouce. Even with out a M setting.

then the edting soft ware make the difference.

Is one has no skill, they can't buy good photos.

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Permalink Reply by Jeanette's OzPix on December 7, 2007 at 10:15am

Thanks Peter!

That clarifies what I was thinking. I believe in getting the most out of what you've got.

I started out with a little Sony Cybershot, and found that it did do somethings quite well. I could get good landscapes, and by using the macro feature, the close-ups turned out pretty good, even though it was limited how close you could get. I was looking forward to upgrading.

But when it comes to composition, I reckon that is all in the eye, and the equipment doesn't matter that much.

And by looking at YOUR photos, that has proved my point. Thanks!!

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Permalink Reply by Peter on December 7, 2007 at 10:26am

your welcome.

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Permalink Reply by Richard on December 7, 2007 at 11:07pm

I suppose it depends on what you define as "good"!

Components of photography such as composition and lighting are only limited by your imaginaion. Other things such as technique are limited somewhat by equipment. Stopping motion in the near dark may only be possible using an f/1.2, with ISO6400 (although the new D3 can push ISO25,600!!!), in which case your options may be limited. But I think that's being nit-picky!

In the majority of cases, its possible to be an excellent photography without great gear!!! (Although I must admit that some modicum of quality must be inferred!) Ken Rockwell regularly uses his D40 when shooting holiday pics (most of which make my mouth drop!), but when doing pro work, he will use his Canon 5d, or medium format digital backs.

Ken makes a point that there is a significant difference between full format (ie crop factor 1.0x) vs standard (1.6x) or 4:3 formats. But unless you're blowing images up to massive 2'x3' prints or larger, you're not going to notice the difference.

I think that being a good photographer is about having a good eye, knowing your equipment, knowing and working around the limitations of your equipment, but most importantly, being there with a camera to take photos when other people have put theirs away!!!

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Permalink Reply by Jeanette's OzPix on December 7, 2007 at 11:22pm

Hey, thanks Richard!! And I really like your last point!!!

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Permalink Reply by John Thawley on December 11, 2007 at 12:05pm

Another infinite argument. Individual objectives may apply.

But, as a rule, it will matter as your skills demand it. I always advise that you ask yourself a simple question. Is what is wrong with my pictures a result of poor equipment or does the fault lie with me? I've often believed what usually is standing between me and greatness is sitting between my ears... not in my camera bag. :)

That said, though... over the years, as my photos got better, I began to see where "links" in my equipment chain were letting me down. As a motorsports shooter, focus speed can be critical. Burst rate... critical. Lens focus length ... critical. But a lot of that came, ONCE I began hitting my marks.

So, I think as different details surface through your own efforts, there can be a need to upgrade your equipment to suit.

But always ask yourself, is it me or is it the equipment holding me back. And when considering new equipment assess the "features" with this question, "am I having a problem this feature will solve?" Too many people upgrade just to have the latest and greatest.

What you lack in talent, can't be made up with equipment.

JT

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Permalink Reply by Jeanette's OzPix on December 11, 2007 at 12:12pm

Good words, John!!

Thanks for that helpful advice!!

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