What Creates Spectacular?
Saturday, March 15th, 2008See quotes from some hot critiques:
“Your Camera Does Matter” - A Rebuttal
“One of the most annoying questions on the web is seen when someone on a forum asks – Should I get a Whatsiflex or a Thingabobblad? Which is better? The problem is not with the questions. The problem is the answers!
This often innocent query unleashes not only the dogs of war, but the clowns of cliche as well. Among the fan boys rallying for their favourite brand there are bound to be at least a couple of bright sparks who write – “It’s not the camera, it’s the photographer”, or some similar pithy aphorism. Inevitably someone will also quote from Saint Ansel (who in reality was quite a gear head himself). Then some kind soul will start ranting about how even a Holga can take great shots, pinhole cameras are all one needs, and how the camera industry is a vast conspiracy intended to turn us into mindless robots, godless heathen, communists, or worse. (Oops, sorry, communists are no longer the bad guys de jour. Wrong decade).
This all came crashingly to mind when a bit of web surfing this morning turned up this recent essay by Ken Rockwell. I don’t know Mr. Rockwell, and have never had communication with him, and am only vaguely aware that he is a some-time web writer about things photographic. Regardless, I was at first amused and then annoyed by the piece – quite annoyed, and so decided to write this rebuttal. Maybe, just maybe, if enough people read it we can end the mind-numbing vapidity of this pointless debate once and for all. (I doubt it, but at heart I’m an optimist so it’s worth a try)….”
“Your Camera Doesn’t Matter” - Ken Rockwell
“Maybe because it’s entirely an artist’s eye, patience and skill that makes an image and not his tools …
Your equipment DOES NOT affect the quality of your image. The less time and effort you spend worrying about your equipment the more time and effort you can spend creating great images. The right equipment just makes it easier, faster or more convenient for you to get the results you need….
Buying new gear will NOT improve your photography.
The camera doesn’t make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.”
Spectacular is created by the photographer, while camera is enabler to express his/ her vision better.
