the new baby
I must preface this post by saying that I am a firm believer that “an expensive camera does not a good photographer make.” Photography is an art form. Yes, you need to have some technical ability, but when it comes down to it, photography is all about seeing. If you and I photographed the same scene with the same camera, we would come up with radically different photos because we are radically different people with unique points of view.
As Alex mentioned in this amazing post, one of the most dreaded questions that most photographers are asked is, “What do you shoot with?” There are many reasons why it’s a dreaded question. Is the person asking because they think that is what makes me a good photographer and they want the same camera I have? Or are they asking because they want to look down their nose at me and judge me for not having a better camera?
For the longest time, I was a little embarrassed to tell people what I shoot with. In all honestly, there was no reason to be embarrassed! I paid a pretty penny for it and I was taking some pretty darn good photos with it! But I had a little bit of an inferiority complex going on about it.
Until.
Until I had a breakthrough. I made a mental shift with the help of someone who owns one of those big fancy cameras and a bunch of lenses that cost more than my house. I told this person that I had just recently started a photography business and handed him a business card. He immediately launched into the dreaded question and, with my head held high, I answered him. He then launched into the next logical question, “What kind of glass are you using?” (“Glass” is photo-geek lingo for lens.) Again, I held my head high and told him.
I walked away with a spring in my step because I had finally realized I did not need a big(ger) fancy(er) camera, thankyouverymuch! I was doing just fine! I know what I’m capable of and I know how much creative juiciness I can squeeze out of my camera.
The next day, I received an email from this same photographer saying that he could not believe that I was getting such amazing photos out of the camera and lenses I was using, that clearly I have a gift for working with people, and that he’d like to “pick my brain” some time.
My point in sharing this story with you is not to brag. My point is to tell you that it really doesn’t matter what you shoot with (or draw with or paint with or basket weave with). What matters is what’s in your heart and your ability to translate what’s in your heart into your art.
Period. End of story.
All that being said, I just bought a new camera. Yes, I did not need a big(ger) fancy(er) camera…
But I really WANTED one!
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i love this post.
i’m in exactly the same place. i take quiet pride in the fact that i get great shots with very simple gear. i had an experience at the college i take courses at where everyone else (i mean everyone) had gigantic cameras and probably 10,000 worth of gear in big suitcase that they’d bring to class whether or not we were even shooting. it was really intimidating. but did that mean they got great shots? not really!
i too would really like to upgrade my camera body. i’m saving my pennies for it! but its been so good to learn how to shoot well with what you’ve got!
i loved your interview on kate swoboda’s blog today too!
Thanks for this. We have a point-and-shoot (and my Droid, hee), and I have Photoshop. Taking photos is a hobby for me, but would I like a big fancy? Oh, yes — but with two kids and all that goes with that, I don’t think it’s in my future anytime soon. I’ve felt self-conscious about posting pics on Flickr because it tells the world what kind of camera you have. I think you just helped me overcome that particular hurdle.
I just upgraded because a) I wanted to and b) I had hit the ceiling on my old camera. But one of my favorite photographers manages to get brilliant pictures with an entry level DSLR and a kit lens. Both of which I had and could not get to work for me. So it is all in the photographer.
I agree with the camera/price/creativity- but you will have fun with the D300. You are creative so it will benefit you. Grant
I’m so glad this post resonated with you all! So glad to know that I’m not alone!
When I was shopping for a new compact camera, I came across this article written by a professional photographer who works for Nikon. Sure, it’s basically an ad for their Coolpix line of cameras, but he makes some good points about using a quality pocket camera that mesh with my philosophy about cameras. You might find it of interest: http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Techniques/g1p063v6/all/The-Little-Camera-that-Can.html. Have fun, no matter what camera you’re using!
I love this post … and i hate the dreaded question of what do you shoot with. im proud of the photos i take with the gear i have … but that doesn’t mean i dont want a new camera! hehe. congrats on your new ‘gear!’
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