Can I judge a photographer by his equipment?

jwbryson1 · Nov 10, 2011

Our HOA hired a photographer for a Christmas event and to be honest in looking at the person's website I was not impressed. At all. I'm not a pro but I know what I like and I've been around long enough to tell what I think are considered to be "good photos." The pics on the website are pretty dull and listless in my opinion, and that's just my opinion. Can I link that website here to see what others think?

Enough about that---I noticed that the photographer was shooting with a mid range DSLR and I got to thinking is it "fair" to judge the photographer by his or her equipment, or is it all about the results? In the pro world, is there an accepted "standard" for the type of equipment that is used? If I showed up to an event with a $600 camera body or even a $1,000 camera body, would this be off putting to other pros?

Am I being unfairly critical? Is it really all about the results?

I know these days everybody with a DSLR and 6 months "solid experience" is somehow a pro, but I wonder if we could have done better in selecting a photographer.

Just curious what others think.

sierramister · Nov 10, 2011

Philosophical question: Same photographer with a D7000 and a D200... Which produces better images?

Last years Cadillac is this years Cavalier.

D-B-J · Nov 10, 2011

I think yes and no. More often than not, the photographer with a $8,000 500mm prime is gonna be good. They are clearly good because they have either been hired for shooting with that lens, or something of the like. But then again, there are those rich snobs who buy all the gear and can't take a picture to save their life. It's just safer to assume every photographer is somewhat ok, and then make a REAL decision based on their images.

IgsEMT · Nov 10, 2011

In reality, you shouldn't judge photographer by his /hers equipment, but rather final product.
At the same time "pro" should have the gear and expertise to handle various situations, such as equipment failure.

jwbryson1 · Nov 10, 2011

My bottom line is that the images I'm seeing on this website SUCK. Period. I guess I haven't lost anything by this but I may be doing my own home shots this year or using my own images at this event for this year's cards.

MReid · Nov 10, 2011

Well sort of...
There are plenty of amateurs out there shooting the best equipment and with no real skills.....also plenty of "pros"

.
On initial impression, yeah better equipment gives an initially better impression....having said that, as well all know, the quality of the photo comes from the photographer not the equipment...assuming no special equipment required for the type of photography in question...such as macro, sports, birds...etc.

memento · Nov 10, 2011

from what you've said, their pictures suck and they have mediocre equipment, yes you can judge.

post a link..

molested_cow · Nov 10, 2011

If you go to China, every Chinese tourist you see carries cameras bigger than yours, with pro lens and tripods and big flash.

Trever1t · Nov 10, 2011

There's a reasonable assumption that a real Pro is going to have modern, quality gear. If I hired a Pro and he showed up with a D60 or similar level camera I'd be a bit dissapointed.

Big Mike · Nov 10, 2011

IgsEMT said:
In reality, you shouldn't judge photographer by his /hers equipment, but rather final product.
At the same time "pro" should have the gear and expertise to handle various situations, such as equipment failure.

I agree. It should be all about the results...but in the real world, it can be more complex than that.

We would hope that if we see a photographer with pro level gear, that they know what they are doing. And what that is usually the case, it's certainly not a guarantee that they know the first thing about photography.

There is something to be said of respect. If people see professional gear (and an overall professional appearance), they will tend to respect that photographer more. Heck, most of the 'public' probably don't really know the difference between professional gear and something that is just big. And on the flip side, someone might even garner more respect if they are producing great results with lower level equipment.

But the respect issue may or may not matter to the photographer. If they are getting paid, why should they care what people think of them?
Of course, being respected may lead to more work, higher prices etc....so it's not just as simple as saying that it doesn't matter what people think of you.

So when I see a 'pro' photographer with less than top end gear, I'd be more concerned about the quality of the lens, than the camera body. And of course, the real red-flag is when they pop up the built-in flash. :lol:

jwbryson1 · Nov 10, 2011

The camera is a Canon 60D. I'm a Nikon guy but my understanding is that the 60D is a mid-range DSLR. Again, it's not about the equipment to me, but the results.

I don't think it is a terrific idea to post an image or the website. This is a searchable forum and I am not in the business of slamming others.

Big Mike · Nov 10, 2011

I don't think it is a terrific idea to post an image or the website. This is a searchable forum and I am not in the business of slamming others.

:thumbup:

StringThing · Nov 10, 2011

Consider that it's also likely the photographer is a friend of someone on the HOA committee.

12sndsgood · Nov 10, 2011

i think this is going to be more photographer to photographer. i dont know how many times i get told i must be good because i have a professional camera by complete strangers and im sitting there in my head and saying this is the beginner camera folks. people now a days just assume your good if your not holding a point and shoot. its just those that know about cameras who will have the issues.