Published: Nov28 2008 :: File Under: Photography

Wow, That Must Be A Really Good Camera

This has been happening a lot lately: someone will look at a photo I’ve taken, or check out the back of my camera during a shoot and say something along the lines of: “Gee, that must be a really great camera!” or, “Is that a special kind of camera? How do you get it to take photos like that?” These are usually friends or colleagues, and it doesn’t bother me at all—I actually find it somewhat amusing—but it’s been happening enough to inspire a blog post, so I thought I’d clarify a few things:

First off, yes, a good camera (and lens) is essential for taking a good photograph. I do have a good camera—a really good camera. But, the camera itself doesn’t take good photos. That’s my responsibility. It helps me out for sure, but the camera can’t take a good photograph on its own. In fact, my camera doesn’t have a little dial with a picture of a guy running for action shots, or a flower for closeup shots, or a snowman for, well, snowmen I guess. Instead, my camera sort of assumes I’ve been taking photos long enough (25 years) to understand how to meter and adjust aperture to achieve a decent photo on my own. The camera leaves all the dial twiddling and adjusting up to me, there is no “auto” mode. Bottom line: something like selective focus is not a camera setting, it’s an understanding of aperture.

Second, if you were to hire a guy to fix your car and when he was all finished you said: “Wow, you must have some really good tools in that box, the car runs great now!” I bet he would look at you sort of funny. It’s not the tool, it’s the person who took the time to understand how to use it.

Finally, I am not a professional photographer. I’m merely an enthusiastic amateur. And most importantly I don’t want to sound like a dick. But I do love photography. I spend hours and hours each week studying technique, brushing up on theory, reading books written by masters, investing in new equipment, and of course shooting photos. Just tonight, I spent a few hours at a friend’s restaurant, and when all was said and done I had almost 800 photos to sort through. Putting in the time, that’s what makes anyone able to shoot a good photograph in the end. It’s not, sadly enough, as easy as buying a fancy camera. But, I will admit this: a fancy camera can help. But only to a point. I have a Pentax ME Super 35mm film camera that I bought in 1985 that can essentially take any photo I’ve ever taken on my fancy 2007 Nikon D300. It would cost me more to operate the Pentax and it would take longer to see the final results, but the results would be the same if I knew what I were doing.

So, the next time somebody shows you a sweet shot on the back of their camera or sends you a stunning photograph via Flickr, remember that it’s probably not the camera that made the shot so good, it’s the fact that the person who took it cared enough about photography to put in the time to understand what the hell they were doing.

Author: Geoffrey :: Published: November 28, 2008 10:50 PM

Comments

lorie Sez:

Interesting post. I would guess most people like myself are accustomed to using crummy point-and-click cameras that take crummy photos, so it’s very obvious when a photo was taken with a high quality camera. And yes, you can take great photos with a crummy camera but it’s easier to take great photos with a great camera. I’m pretty used to shooting something then looking at the capture and thinking “that doesn’t look anything like what I saw”. We’re just jealous, is all.

Also, it’s perhaps less awkward to say “Awesome photo, that must be a nice camera” than “Awesome photo, you’re a great photographer.” Even if it’s true. ;)

Posted on 01.12.2008

Geoffrey Sez:

Interesting as in awful? ;-)

I almost deleted the whole post for fear of sounding like a complete asshat. While I do try to be a jerk in real life, I tend to keep my jerkiness on the downlow here on the blog.

And, I get your point about crummy cameras. I take about 1 good photo out of 50 and that ratio would probably be worse with a point and shoot with a tiny lens and even tinier censor.

I’ve heard designers recall similar conversations along the lines of “Wow, that’s a great design, what program did you use?” I would make the paintbrush analogy in your case (fine Russian sable makes better paintings right?), but I think people realize there is a certain amount of talent in painting that’s impossible to deny. Whereas anyone can take a good photo with a click of a button. There is a certain amount of luck to it some of the time.

And beyond that, I am I firm believer in art as populism. There is nothing more annoying than self-important artist types who think art only belongs to a select few—and I’ve met plenty. When someone starts a sentence with: “Well, I’m an artist, so…” I tend to cringe. Anybody can be “creative” if they want to be.

So back to my post. The only reason I wrote it is because it really has been happening on a weekly basis. Sample quotes:

“That camera can’t take a bad photo.” “Great photo! That must be a good camera.” “How do you get it to look like that? Is it hi-rez?” “My photos look like crap, I need to get a camera like yours” etc.

Like I said, it doesn’t bother me a bit, it’s just sort of odd.

But yeah, I’m a jerk.

Posted on 01.12.2008

lorie Sez:

I can see being frustrated (yep) by all the camera comments. It kinda reminds me of drawing as a child and having other kids constantly asking me “so where’s his arm? Why haven’t you drawn the head?” “Where is the door?” I became conditioned to covering my sketchpad with my left hand to hide my sketchpad – and I still do it now out of habit!

I bet you’ll hear fewer camera comments when you start touting yourself as a professional–which you should sooner than later, in addition to charging as much.

Also: you’re not a jerk, just a frustrated artist. :)

Posted on 02.12.2008

Geoffrey Sez:

It’s really not frustrating, I just find it odd. And lately I’ve been finding it a lot.

And, I’m no professional photographer. I’d say another 5-10 years before I’d even consider such a title. (If ever).

I’m no artist either. Jerk perhaps. Drunk mostly. Occasionally curmudgeony. But there’s no art to any of those things.

Posted on 02.12.2008

Geoffrey Sez:

One more thing: Yes, the camera does matter! I didn’t mean for it to sound like any old camera will do. (They wouldn’t make $24,000 medium format cameras if it didn’t.) But, and here’s the point I was trying to make all along, a good camera won’t take a good picture if you don’t understand how it works. (The camera)

So I guess if there is any frustration (maybe you’re right here) it’s a frustration that people think it could be that simple.

Posted on 06.12.2008

dave Sez:

I’m probably guilty of saying all those things at one time or another but remain consistently impressed by your work. If you ever stop doing my book covers, I’ll need to learn how to tie a noose.

Posted on 10.12.2008

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