Technique vs Equipment……
In the last few weeks I’ve constantly been talking with my customers and friends about the new incredible cameras being released by Nikon. The Nikon D4 a 16.1 mp pro monster and the exciting new Nikon D800/800e that has 36.3 mp promise to deliver unbelievable results. I have been shooting the D4 for over a month and can tell you it is everything I would have hoped for. The production D800 is not on shore yet, but I look forward to shooting it as well. These cameras will open up the doors to some of the most spectacular “technical” images yet, but they will be unable to do something, very important, that no current camera can do either, find a great subject, in great light, and then decide how to compose it! The impact of a photograph goes well beyond technical quality.
To make a wonderful image you must find something that is an interesting or compelling subject. You then have to have the right light to make that subject look spectacular, and finally you must decide where to place the subject in the frame and how to use the surroundings to focus the eye onto the subject. As advanced at the D4 and D800 are, they can’t do that. Because that is the job of the photographer! There is a wonderful story I’ve heard from several different people, I assume it is true, it sure could be. The story goes that Ansel Adams was speaking at a college in California, and the students kept asking technical questions, what film, what developer, what lens, what tripod he used, etc, etc. So Mr Adams went out to a drug store and bought a Kodak Instamatic camera and some black and white instamatic film. He proceeded to go to the beach and shot some images, he then processed the film, and made enlargement, and displayed them at the college. When they got rave reviews he slipped his instamatic out of his pocket and revealed the tool he used! His point was simple, it’s the photographer not the camera.
If you have the best camera and best lenses, and use great technique and vision, you will likely make great images. Just buying great equipment alone will not make you a great photographer….
By-the-way, the shot above is a 60% crop, out of an image from a 10 megapixel point and shoot camera! If you do buy one of the great new cameras, (and I know many of you will), don’t forget to use great technique too!
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
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You hit the nail on the head, Bill! It reminds me of a long time ago I purchased a training tape (no DVD’s yet, lol) from John Shaw. He stated that when people saw his images they would say to him “wow, what kind of camera do yo have”? He then says that this is a two fold statement. One the one hand it’s complimentary in that they’re saying “hey, that’s a beautiful picture, I want to do that” and on the other hand it’s downgrading as in “hey, that’s a beautiful picture, there is no way you could make something so beautiful, it had to be the camera”. So to finish his line of thought he ended with “not one time, no matter how much he begged, did his camera go out and take any pictures”!
BTW, I love the shot above. Great subject matter, great color and composition. A great picture to make your point.
Jack F.
Thanks Jack, we all love gear, me more than most, but it is still t hr photographer that makes the shot!
You’re right on with this message!! Most folks don’t need more than 12mp if that. The D4 and the D800 are in my humble opinion ,specialized photo tools for specialized purposes.
I agree on the D800 and for many the D4 as well!
I am new to your blog but have been am admirer of your work for some time. I am looking to upgrade my gear, including going to the D4 and some high end glass. I am looking to do some Nd filter shots, moving water etc. I see in your list you use the 16-35. . Would you recommend am all purpose ND filter or filters. Would you recommend a polarizer for that camera and lens setup. Additionally, would my better choice be to use the 14-24 and control water motion with f stop and shutter speed?
Thank you
Andy
I also realize it is not the gear that makes the shot. But would like to take advantage of having the right tools.
Andy,
Either are good choice, the 16-35 has more range on the long end, the 14-24 on the short end.
The 14-24 is a little large and heavy for me, and I like having VR on the 16-35, they are both incredibly sharp! My choice was the 16-35 but that’s not right for everyone. If you don’t need the 2.8 speed or the 14 wide, the 16-35 is less expensive. I also like to use filters which can’t be done on the 14-24. As to ND filters by favorite is the expensive but worth it, Singh Ray 8 stop neutral density. It works well on the 16-35 but get the thin one, so you can still shoot at or near 16.
Hope that helps!
Thank you for your thoughts and quick responce