Wow you must have a great camera!!!

“You take great pictures, you must have a really great camera.”  This is a statement that runs rampant through the photography industry.  I know I’ve had many conversations with clients as well as with my fellow pro friends about it.  I even have one friend who has gone so far as to tape off the info. on his camera to avoid this conversation at weddings.  While some pro’s take offense to this statement, I find it extremely humorous.   I think most of us who have been around for a while do.  If you’ve ever owned a DSLR or back in the film days an SLR and you shot it in manual you know just how absurd this statement is.

Most consumers purchase a DSLR with the intent of photographing their children playing sports, or just a way to freeze their ever moving toddler while in motion.  The funny thing is though, that a very small percentage of the population ever takes full advantage of their cameras capabilities.  Usually sports or portrait modes are selected and left for good.  Or the infamous green box (if you’re a canon shooter).  For the average consumer this is fine.  For a pro, (in my humble opinion) you should  be able to utilize all functions of your camera (no matter what grade gear you have).  Could you skate by with a good camera and not much knowledge?  Sure, but then you spend all your time “fixing it in photoshop” another statement that runs rampant throughout the industry.  Most pro’s strive to make amazing images in camera, and spend more time shooting than fixing.  I’m fairly sure that image software like Lightroom and Photoshop were intended for enhancements or for fun out of the box crazy creative things.  Sadly, they are used frequently for “fixing” bad photography.  Wonder what your photographer uses their imaging software for?

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Not long ago a friend of mine and I went to shoot my nephews wrestling match. He was down below us next to another photographer.  He shoots all pro gear, pro glass, body cards, you name it.  The guy he was next to (who is a dad, and wonderful to the team, so I’m not knocking at all) was shooting with consumer gear (as to be expected for a team dad, again not knocking at all).  My mom said “wow, look at those cameras, do you think they’re down there comparing?”  I laughed and said I doubt it b/c it’s like comparing a Kia to a Mercedes (funny thing was she had JUST bought a Kia and  I totally forgot…lol).  Point being yes, higher end pro gear does produce nicer images, but it mostly comes down to knowledge.  Amazing images can be created with most any level gear if you know what you’re doing.  I have been in the process of transitioning to all pro glass (lenses) for the past few years.  It’s an expensive undertaking but really does make a big difference.  It would have to or it wouldn’t be worth it.  So if someone with great gear knows what they’re doing with it, then wow, look out!!  These photographers are usually extraordinary!

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So where am I going with all of this you ask?  Well here’s the bottom line.  Photographers who know what they are doing can make a good image with any level of equipment.  I know a fashion photographer that is HUGE in the industry who is publishing a book of all iphone images.  You’d NEVER know they were shot with an Iphone.  They are amazing, b/c he has the knowledge in his head to create a great image with any medium.  So the moral of the story…bigger is not always better, even though it may give the illusion of being so.  🙂    Happy shooting!!!