Is it the CAMERA or PHOTOGRAPHER?

[Aerin328]

Perhaps the fact this question even comes up is proof that the marketers are doing their job. The photographer is the artist, and the camera is, of course, just a tool. Some of my favorite photos were done w/ a 15 year old 3 megapixel hand held digital. What a POS. But man I loved that thing, and it definitely did the job. Any modern camera is of sufficient quality for a skilled photographer to do great work- they just might have to work or think a little harder to get the shots.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Yes, the camera is just a tool that can determine how limited your creativity can be. However, there are also a few photogs I have met that are very much "tools" as well. So who knows

 

[tevo]

yeah what they said.

 

[LokiZ]

It has been a long debate...
Some say it's not the camera and gadgets, but it's the person taking it.
But some say the camera makes a bad photo look good.

Any thoughts?

To me the answer is quite simple. Neither. Without one or the other what do you have? In order to make photography work what is most important? What is most important about photography is that interaction between the the photographer and his tools. The relationship if you will.

Think about it, what kind of relationship is there between someone who is green, someone who is just about the snapshots and their camera? Now take a seasoned pro. How is their relationship? Good right? what is the best you can hope for? "I know my camera inside and out." "I know mine like the back of my hand." "I don't even think about it anymore, it just comes natural."

[Exaggerated story point below read at your own risk]

So your a seasoned pro... Although you have a real good piece of hardware in front of you. Although you have years of experience. The camera that has just been placed in front of you is like no other camera you have ever seen. You were lucky to even find the shutter release on this camera. I mean this camera is totally Greek to you and you are not Greek! It's manual is in Hebrew and your not Hebrew either.

{Small Pause}

{Stare Blankly at this new camera} "The all new xr7q67zx43 Mark IV"

You have experience... I mean your a pro for goodness sake. You frame your shot snap... it looks like crap... how in the heck do you change the aperture, the shutter speed, wheres the dang ISO setting!

{Pause}

You know it's a good piece of hardware... Your looking at some sample work, sharp as a tack and oh how those colors pop! Man this is built rugged too.

_______________

So lets see we have some killer hardware, the camera is sweet! And we have a seasoned pro, years of accolades to your credit.

Which is more important?

Hint1: It's not you the photographer.
Hint2: It is also not the hardware.

What is most important is the relationship between you and your camera. The link of understanding you have for the tools(hardware) you use. If you know the fundamentals of photography but do not know how to transfer that info to your hardware you have nothing. Sure my example was exaggerated, this was to prove a point. Luckily in the real world there are many standards shared between the different manufacturers of hardware. That does not mean the link between photographer and hardware is any less important. It just means that the link transfers easier between photographer and multiple pieces hardware.

Don't take it for granted.

Just my 2 cents on the subject.

EDIT: Typo in hint #2

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Perhaps the fact this question even comes up is proof that the marketers are doing their job. The photographer is the artist, and the camera is, of course, just a tool.

Sometimes the photographer is a tool, too.

 

[Jcampbelll]

Both camera and photographer.

 

[Geaux]

I have a friend that has a Canon 1dIII with all L lenses, and I take better shots with my Nikon d3000. He bought the camera b/c he wanted to get started in photography, but also likes to show off and by the most expensive thing out there.

I've always lived by the mantra, the camera doesn't make a photographer, but a photographer can make the camera.

If you give a point and shoot to a photographer, the image might not be as crisp as an slr, but the technical composition will still be there which makes the image more pleasant to the eye.

A non photographer can make an expensive camera look like junk in shots lol.

 

[Chamelion 6]

The photographer... Period.

Modern cameras are amazing, almost anyone with no training or eye is capable of catching A well composed, exposed, and focused image.

Emphasis on "A," singular.

But the guy behind the camera with an ounce of talent, a good eye, and some understanding of the media is going to do it consistantly. It's not about taking one great photo... It's about a portfolio of them. That's what seperates the "snap shotters" from the "shooters."

 

[Derrel]

Science Explorer: Pringles Pinhole--make a camera from a recycled potato chip can!

I still like my memorygraphs system better...it has a higher IQ (imaginary quality).

But for paid gigs, sports assignments, and grip & grin stuff, one has to concede to societal pressures and use a decent camera,which makes these Pringles and other cheap or toy cameras hard to use. People get pissed when you show up with a Holga, Kodak Instamatic, or a 1959 Kodak Duoflex.

I think the people at NASA used Holga cameras, right? The single-shutter speed model with the f/7.1 lens. Right?

 

[mrpink]

I have a friend that has a Canon 1dIII with all L lenses, and I take better shots with my Nikon d3000. He bought the camera b/c he wanted to get started in photography, but also likes to show off and by the most expensive thing out there.

Have him post here, he will fit right in.








p!nK

 

[12sndsgood]

ive had my camera sitting on my desk all week, darn thing hasn't taken a single pictures.

 

[den9]

its the photographer

the gear makes it easier

depends what you are looking for also

 

[Geaux]

Have him post here, he will fit right in.
p!nK

:lmao:

 

[Light Artisan]

Wiithout the camera, there is no photographer.

ken Rockwell > Business Plan > Camera > Photographer

 

[Derrel]

I have always been fascinated by historical voyages of exploration, like the voyages of Christopher Columbus, as well as more-modern explorers such as Lewis & Clark. I particularly enjoy looking at the photographs made during the multi-year, cross-continental Lewis & Clark voyage of discovery, such as those found on this web page, hosted by the good folks at PBS.org.

Lewis and Clark . Archives . The Journals | PBS

Pretty impressive photos, eh?