I think photographers are gear heads by nature. What’s the newest most tech piece of photo equipment I can get my hands on that will make me better a better photographer? What can I purchase to make that great photograph? How can I get an edge?
Rather than discussing the latest, greatest equipment the market has to offer - I want to take this conversation in another direction. I want to share the equipment that I use and debunk a couple of myths…
Camera Body: Canon 1000D
Primary Lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8 / Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 / Sigma 19-35 4.0 /Quantaray 28-200 5.6 / Quantaray 100-300 5.6
Flash: Canon Speedlite 430 EXII
Video: Flipcam Ultra – HD
Nothing fancy, nothing too expensive – right? Still great photographs…
Myth #1: I need expensive photography equipment to take great photos.
WRONG: Great Photographs are MADE by practice and experience NOT by the gear you own.
Of course there are many advantages of high end equipment. I could compile a long list here and bore everyone to death with it. It’s my belief that the photographer makes the photograph. Hours of practice, research, learning and taking photos is what makes the artist not the hardware. Do you know what kind of paintbrushes Michelangelo used to paint the Sistine Chapel?
Behind the scenes:
Computer: MacBook
Digital Darkroom: Aperture 2 / Photoshop
Website: Powered by PhotoShelter
Blog: WordPress Hosted by Pagely
Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Flickr
LinkedIn
YouTube
If you have read this blog before you know I believe in transparency as an artist. I will let you know exactly what I do to capture a particular photograph if asked. I view this equipment list as an extension of that transparency.
Myth #2: Photography is really expensive to start.
WRONG: The principles of photography (lighting and composition) can be learned with just a point and shoot camera. As you enjoy the art and advance you will want to invest in a DSLR Camera. If you do some research and ask questions you’ll be able to control the costs and find something in your budget.
I want people to be better photographers, I want people to push the envelope and make great art – I want to help them in their pursuit. All I ask in return is that you help another photographer out along their journey. Simple.
Question: How are you helping or encouraging other photographers or artists? Think about it and share in a comment.
Article by Greg Taylor
Founder of WordPress Development Company, Marketing Press. Vegetarian. Hopelessly addicted to music. Blogger, Collaborator, Phoenix Suns fan. NJ Native living in AZ
Greg has contributed 160 articles to this site.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
You make good points here.
I started to learn my craft on a fully auto point and shoot.
I got to grips with composition and replaced it with a semi auto point and shoot which let me control shutter speed and aperture.
Once I was comfortable with that, I bought my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel XT.
That started another learning process and I stuck with it for 3 years.
That camera won me competitions and got an image on the front cover of a calendar.
I also sold landscape prints all around the world with that camera.
I have the higher end equipment professional equipment now, but only because I got a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to afford it.
As for helping other photographers, a great way to achieve that is via online photography forums.
I received valuable advice from a mixture of professionals and hobbyists on them as I learned my craft, and was often able to offer advice and constructive criticism back.
Many of these forums organise field trips where you get to put faces to names and I probably learned more from these one to one meetings than online.
Some of the larger ones can be a little gear-head orientated and argumentative at times, but the smaller, fledging forums are great.
Another good opportunity is during Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walks, held annually.
I often face self doubt and meeting up with fellow togs helps you realise you are not alone.
A great way to help fellow photographers is doing exactly what you are doing…start a blog.
I have accelerated my learning over the last year by following blogs such as yours, Strobist, Joe McNally, David DuChemin, Todd Owyoung, Zack Arias and others, all of which openly share their skills and wisdom and even though they are at the top of their game, are very approachable.