It's not the camera that makes the photographer...or is it?

[996GT2]

http://www.petapixel.com/2010/08/10...e-and-camera-phones-make-you-ugly/#more-13579

 

[akugami]

OkCupid was also the site I believe that said iPhone owners get more sex. Now, being an iPhone owner I can tell you that I don't have hordes of women throwing off their garments in my presence. The wife is pregnant so no nookie there either.

I'd argue that those with higher cost cameras generally take better pictures because you don't spend $1k+ on a DSLR and not try to at least know how to take a half decent picture. Those with the point and shoot cameras do exactly as the camera class implies, point and shoot.

 

[angry hampster]

Those with the point and shoot cameras do exactly as the camera class implies, point and shoot.

I know LOTS of people with DSLRs that do the same thing. I was at a wedding last week and my friend handed my his Rebel XSi and asked me to take a pic of him. When he saw me flip the wheel away from the "green box" mode, he looked horrified.

 

[oogabooga]

I know LOTS of people with DSLRs that do the same thing. I was at a wedding last week and my friend handed my his Rebel XSi and asked me to take a pic of him. When he saw me flip the wheel away from the "green box" mode, he looked horrified.

Yea this. I'm sure a DSLR even with the Kit lens will out perform most any P&S most people would have.

Add that to most people who know how to to take pictures probably are rocking a DSLR and it explains that.

I'm impressed at the amount of data OPCupid collects and the analysis they do on that data

 

[Fardringle]

Long version: A good photographer can take acceptable pictures with almost any camera. A good photographer with a good camera can take even better pictures, particularly if the situation is outside of the capabilities of a cheap point and shoot (low light, very wide dynamic range, etc). However, a BAD camera can ruin even a perfect photo opportunity. On the other hand, even the most expensive camera in the world won't turn a novice into a pro photographer.

Short version: The photographer's skills are more important than the hardware, but good equipment will allow the photographer to make better use of those skills.

 

[speedy2]

Long version: A good photographer can take acceptable pictures with almost any camera. A good photographer with a good camera can take even better pictures, particularly if the situation is outside of the capabilities of a cheap point and shoot (low light, very wide dynamic range, etc). However, a BAD camera can ruin even a perfect photo opportunity. On the other hand, even the most expensive camera in the world won't turn a novice into a pro photographer.

Short version: The photographer's skills are more important than the hardware, but good equipment will allow the photographer to make better use of those skills.

Bingo. I have seen some horrid shots from people with DSLR's. They never leave Auto mode and they never buy a lens other than the kit lens. They pretty much overpaid for a point and shoot. It's like buying a corvette and pulling the plug wires on 2 cylinders.

I bought a Canon A80(4MP) used on ebay for $30. This was after have a DSLR for many years.

I took these shots with it.

Impressed me plenty.

 

[GTSRguy]

i would expect higher quality to make you look less attractive...then all the details you dont want to see pop up, like shiny/ greasy / sweaty face and blemishes.

 

[Murloc]

nice pics speedy.
This proves that in normal situations the camera helps a bit but isn't too important.

 

[angry hampster]

Bingo. I have seen some horrid shots from people with DSLR's. They never leave Auto mode and they never buy a lens other than the kit lens. They pretty much overpaid for a point and shoot. It's like buying a corvette and pulling the plug wires on 2 cylinders.

I bought a Canon A80(4MP) used on ebay for $30. This was after have a DSLR for many years.

I took these shots with it.




Impressed me plenty.

I think I may have been one of the ones who recommended that cam to you. I still use my A85 I bought new in 2004. Little thing just won't die. Much more convenient than my 5D or 30D.

 

[speedy2]

Yeah I think you were. I was looking for any of those models around that age. I kinda wanted more MP, but with the price was just too good. $30...I mean come on. The bad part, I want the water proof case, but I can't find one under $100 lol

 

[Cattykit]

Skill of photographers are important. Cameras are important. Lenes are important. They all are very important.

Good photographer would know about his gears. A good photographer who intends to bring out high quality gradation and DR wouldn't be limiting himself with P&S. A good photographer who intends to make large prints won't be limiting himself with low MP cameras. A good photographer who needs compactness won't be limiting himself with big dslrs.
It's about knowing your needs and wants. As for me, I won't shoot shit with P&S because it just doesn't cut it for me. Though it is so, I know P&S works better for those who have different goals. As always, different people have different needs.

I know a photographer who makes breathtaking photos using a large format film camera. He has to use that kind of camera because he makes use of 8+ hours long exposure and huge prints. You don't give him dslr or P&S expecting him to make good pictures: he won't be able to do shit and that doesn't mean he's not good. You don't give Ansel Adams a Leica, Bresson a large format camera and expect them to bring out the kind of pictures they have come up with.

As for speedy2's pictures, I must say they're very great...on the web. What if you intend to make very large prints? If so, he would've been far better off with different and better cameras. If I were speedy2 who took such nice pictures with P&S, I would have been kicking myself because I know its limitations won't work for me. This, however, is meaningless if that is not what speedy2 is going after and I respect that.

 

[speedy2]

Good point Cattykit. But usually, the people that are not concerned about print quality are the first ones that will buy the most MP's. And they will also consider their camera far superior because of it. Even as far as saying their P&S is "better" than a DSLR with less MP's. I speak from experience. lol

 

[alkemyst]

Yes and no. Put a dSLR and P&S in the hands of noobs and tell them to shoot full auto. Chances are the dSLR will handle the shots better.

dSLR>P&S for quick recovery and low light/movement shots.

That said one is just taking snapshots at that point.

Becoming a photographer is a lot of composition of the shot and using depth of field and manual manipulation. You are never going to get good bokeh with a P&S and this is what gives classic pictures their 'look'. This doesn't mean a P&S takes a bad shot though...it's the whole 2D vs 3D thing though

 

[akugami]

@Cattykit

Excellent post. I think it also hammers home the fact that aside from the random snapshot picture taking, like at a bar or party, photography is still an art form and different people are attempting different things with their shots. It's like judging whether Pablo Picasso was better than Vincent Van Gogh. Both painters are shooting for different goals.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yes and no. Put a dSLR and P&S in the hands of noobs and tell them to shoot full auto. Chances are the dSLR will handle the shots better.

dSLR>P&S for quick recovery and low light/movement shots.

That said one is just taking snapshots at that point.

Becoming a photographer is a lot of composition of the shot and using depth of field and manual manipulation. You are never going to get good bokeh with a P&S and this is what gives classic pictures their 'look'. This doesn't mean a P&S takes a bad shot though...it's the whole 2D vs 3D thing though

Yeah. Exactly. I know tons of noobs who shoot DSLRs on green box mode. And I know a lot of cam whores who get 20 billion pics tagged on facebook. So once in a while I'm flipping through and I'm thinking "Hey the Bokeh looks decent for this shot. Are they being artistic in the way they focus their shots on their P&S?" I check out the picture and I notice its a 3:2 ratio picture and I figure out its someone's DSLR on Green Box mode.

Typically a DSLR should perform better. Better dynamic range, better noise handling, sharper, shallower DOF even with a kit lens, etc. I do believe that DSLRs should look better than a P&S even in the hands of a noob.... unless you're completely messing up because you have the wrong features selected like the wrong AF point or Auto AF tripping up on that wine glass in front of you on a f/1.8 lens and so your face is OOF.

But the biggest limit is the photographer. My friend decided to get a "friend" who had no photo skills and borrowed a T1i to shoot his engagement. The photos look like what I can do on my Motorola Droid. I was appalled that he used someone with P&S skills at best. Today I showed him my portfolio of my engagement session photos. Granted I've only done it for fun for friends, and I'm more of a nightlife photog, even my first attempt looks miles better than what his friend did. I'm not sure what he thought, but I know he definitely wants me to do a photoshoot for him... but I'm guessing he's regretting not asking me to do his initial engagement shoot.

 

[MRGOOCH]

The taking off a good or great photograph begins before the shutter is pressed.

 

[alkemyst]

The biggest mistake anyone makes is hiring a photographer because of his gear. Many weddings are destroyed because of a photographer that has no clue on the classic shots nor understands the emotions behind the event. I hope our members that are doing it have at least followed a pro for a while or took a few classes.

 

[speedy2]

The biggest mistake anyone makes is hiring a photographer because of his gear. Many weddings are destroyed because of a photographer that has no clue on the classic shots nor understands the emotions behind the event. I hope our members that are doing it have at least followed a pro for a while or took a few classes.

Agreed. One can easily think someone has skill because of all the fancy gear. Sadly, it's hard for someone without that knowledge to know that. I've seen some wedding shots that were great as far as image quality goes. But, the pics just looked average as far as every other aspect went.