Somnolent Sky
How often do you hear painters say…..”I’m saving up to buy that new Picasso paintbrush with the ultra deluxe 15,000 mink bristles. Then I will be able to paint like a pro and sell my paintings like all the other artists.”? Never? Yeah, I thought so. Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn’t it.
Do you think a good painter could paint differently with a more expensive paintbrush? Would his paintings look any different? Any better? Of course not. If they don’t already know how to mix colors, apply shading, or to use the brush to create forms on paper or canvas, how could a different or better brush help them. It isn’t going to paint the canvas by itself. It is only in skilled hands that anything creative can be produced with it.
So why do we think so differently about a camera? Why do we think a better, more expensive camera will make us a better photographer? Why do we think this lens or that lens will help us create the images we want to create? If you want to create a certain type of image, figure out how to do it with the equipment you currently own.
I know, especially when it comes to lenses, there are many arguments for why you can’t do it with the equipment you already own. You can’t photograph the veins of a petal without a macro lens, for example. And capturing birds on a 50mm lens isn’t going to give you beautiful portraits of that tiny songbird. But you can adjust your wants to fit your equipment.
You can still create beautiful floral images without a macro. You can also capture birds with your 50mm. Use patience to get closer to the birds, or capture flocks in flight as part of the larger landscape. The simple truth is, if you aren’t already capturing images you love with the equipment you have, a bigger, better camera (or lens) is not going to help.
on January 31, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Permalink
I can agree, but only partially- there is a lot, that can be done with basic, should I say- standard equipment. I have shot macro shots with basic telephoto lens, and nature with basic wide angle lens. Many times specific, often more expensive, equipment makes it easier to achieve what you are trying to do. I wouldn’t be able to shoot indoors sport events or night concerts without lens that opens at least as wide as f/2.8. To me it seems, that depends what you are doing and what are your expectations about the final results can affect greatly what tools you need to use. At the same time it’s the photographer, his vision and knowledge are the main reason behind good photo. Camera and lenses are just tools.
on January 31, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Permalink
I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I was saying that it IS possible to make these images without buying more equipment. I was trying to say it IS the photographer that creates the image, not the tools (camera and lens).
on January 26, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Permalink
You know, in all the years I have been working, I have yet to send my cameras out all by themselves to take a photo. It is most likely just me, but I feel that I really need to be there with them. Ansel Adams once said that the most important filter is the grey one between your ears. The artist makes the work. All the rest is just stuff.
on January 26, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Permalink
xo