Joanna's Foto

Maybe, you don't need an expensive camera?

Maybe it’s just this time of the year- I don’t know, but seems that recently I have come to talk to many (too many) people, that- well, should read the title of this post and maybe think twice.
I have been thinking about sharing my thought on this subject for some time. And it’s not my purpose to offend anyone. I am just trying to share my opinion and maybe help some camera users to understand, that getting equipment up to their skills can be more beneficial, than they may realize.

By any means- I am not trying to diminish anyone’s skills and knowledge.
I know people, who are willing to take time, learn, understand. Even if just the basics.
And I love to interact with them and help, share my knowledge and the experience I have gained so far, explain and point them maybe in the direction, where they can find more inspiration. I think that we can always learn something new from each other.

At the same time….
I truly cannot understand and tolerate anymore the attitude of “the more money I spend- the better pictures I will get”.
This is the most misleading belief I found so commonly shared by some new dSLR (or more advanced cameras) users.
And the sad thing happens shortly after they use the camera, photos do not come just like their neighbors/ sister’s/ friend’s did. As result of disappointment after seeing results of photo shooting, the blame is placed on the equipment, on the tool.

Believe me- spending ton of money will not help.

It’s like buying the most expensive screw driver won’t make person the best mechanic.

Or buying the most expensive sewing machine won’t make someone clothing designer and tailor overnight.

Everything takes time, practice, learning, watching videos, reading books, more & more practice.
There are people who spend several years in school to learn all this. Would schools offer programs like photography,  if all one needed to do is to get expensive camera (which still would be less, than paying for school, right?)

It’s ok to get point & shoot camera if that’s all you want to do is point & shoot. It’s ok to get entry level dSLR, if you just want to be able to change some minor setting. The only thing is- please, don’t expect, that camera will see for you and capture for you- because it’s not possible.

Use your equipment for the enjoyment of capturing moments and details. Have fun with it, play with settings. And share the results.  The more you know it, themore familiar you are with it- the better you are able to use it to photograph what you want to save in your pictures.

There is not one photographer who gets 100% perfect photographs, everything comes with time and practice. And it’s so easy to do it on our digital age, where image can be erased as quickly as it was taken.
So don’t be afraid of mistakes- that’s how one learns.
Like P. McWilliams said

Mistakes, obviously, show us what needs improving. Without mistakes, how would we know what we had to work on?

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14 Comments

1. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joanna Kapica. Joanna Kapica said: New post: Maybe, you don't need an expensive camera? http://bit.ly/9gCSPD [...]

   Tweets that mention Joanna's Foto Blog | Maybe, you don’t need an expensive camera? -- Topsy.com / 30 Jun 2010 / 6:02 am / Reply

2. 

   True, there is no point in a starting off with very expensive gear. Ideally, one should move up the equipment chain in a natural manner. You start with a Nikon D60 maybe. And after a year you want to shoot studio but you realize your camera has no pc terminal. Maybe now its time to get a new, more advanced camera body. If you have money to burn and you enjoy having the best gear, then there is nothing wrong with starting off with top of the line gear. If having that gear makes you happy, then you should buy it. However, as Joanna writes, if you think the better gear will automatically result in better pictures, you are mistaken.

   John Ricard / 30 Jun 2010 / 6:17 am / Reply

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     Extra cash could be always spend on nicer lenses- that I would consider really good investment. Don't you think?

     Joanna / 30 Jun 2010 / 7:04 am / Reply

3. 

   I was the first of my friends to get a DSLR 3 years ago. I bought a Nikon d80 and still have it. Since then a few of my other friends have bought cameras that are much more advanced than my little d80. They are constantly frustrated that the camera doesn't take great photos. I tell them all to take a class or buy a book and learn how to use the camera. I haven't upgraded my camera because I love it and I am quite adept at using it. I have purchased a couple of prime lenses that have changed my world. Like anything photography is a skill that is learned over time and I am still learning. Thanks for posting Joanna :)

   Trina / 30 Jun 2010 / 1:40 pm / Reply

4. 

   Trina, I know exactly what you are talking about. I am tired of people getting frustrated for the wrong reasons, I am tired of listening to it, and at the same time being ignored with the only advice there is: learn how to use your camera, to get the results you want to get.

   Joanna / 30 Jun 2010 / 7:35 pm / Reply

5. 

   Good post! Totally agree.

   Anna Deitrich / 01 Jul 2010 / 3:50 pm / Reply

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     Thanks Anna!

     Joanna / 01 Jul 2010 / 5:07 pm / Reply

6. 

   I totally agree with you about learning the basics of a camera. And a good lens is so important. But in the film world its a wee bit different. I no longer use a 35mm film camera (tho I prolly still own 2 or 3). I have 2 main cameras -- an old but expensive hasselblad that I use the most & a cheap (fairly new as they don't last with use) Lubitel. Its a plastic camera which makes it ideal for the road. Each camera has its pros & cons. I tend to use only ONE of them in a body of work. They take images that are just too different from each other. I love them both & use them both. I do own a nikon d40 or d50 that I bought at costco about 4 years ago. I was thinking I should start thinking about upgrading it as it has limitations in low light & it's kinda slow. I don't print those photos (web only) so I'm not so concerned with the size of the images. I almost always use it as a pt & shoot because most of my work in in dark nite clubs & I can't read the settings. Occasionally I put the focus into manual. I wish I could set the aperture & shutter like my film cameras (I can do that in very low light) but not enough to upgrade the camera. I'd rather buy a 4x5 speed graflex. :)

   eonarts / 01 Jul 2010 / 4:03 pm / Reply

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     Hi Eonarts! Thanks for sharing your experience. Just to answer to your concern about aperture and shutter speed adjustments- on both cameras you have mentioned they are displayed in the viewfinder. At the same time- they don't have dedicated aperture button, but it's combination of control dial on the back and the drive button (if I am not mistaken) on the top, so I know that part is not the most comfortable. Now if you decide to upgrade, of course ISO performance is drastically improved on newer models, but also starting at D90 and up your top screen (like D50 has) has option to use back light for extra convenience, when shooting in dark conditions. I used to use D50, this the camera I grew up so much as photographer- always appreciated every single feature it offered :) Oh, memories...

     Joanna / 01 Jul 2010 / 5:13 pm / Reply

7. 

   I second you Joanna with those thoughts, and I should say that maybe 'we' only need a new mind, and time to know what are we looking for.

   conflagratio / 01 Jul 2010 / 5:23 pm / Reply

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     you probably are very close to truth, Jose.

     Joanna / 01 Jul 2010 / 11:47 pm / Reply

8. 

   :D I love you, Jo Jo. Your passion for this craft will only continue to make you a better photographer in understanding yourself and continue growing all the wiser. To be a great craftsman is in the heart, and a great photographer can make a shoebox & a pinhole take breathtaking images, where a great camera cannot do anything with a user unwilling to learn. For them, as you mentioned, there are those cameras that require you to do little more than push a button. This is why it is so important for people like you to be there to direct individuals to what most suits their needs. I'm serious! It is such an unfortunate myth that "professional photo equipment makes a professional photographer". That statement as put is 100% false, as you discussed, Joanna. But for whatever reason nobody ever seems to get that they are tools split into two categories; cameras that do it all and cameras that do what you tell it to. If you don't know what to tell it, well, you're going to need to learn how or return it before it ends up wasting away in your closet... Whether expensive or cheap, you need what tools work for you and what you want to do, and that should be the only deciding factor in what photo equipment you should purchase. Or maybe you just need to stick to banking and hire Joanna to work her trade, providing you with images that you will most likely not be able to take as a beginner unless by accident (in which case do not try to sell it for BIG $ because I will find you and I will destroy your hard-copies. ggrrrrr). I miss you, #1. Your pictures continue to amaze me and put a smile on this bitter face. With All My Love, JP

   JP / 04 Jul 2010 / 5:10 am / Reply

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     J.P., thank you so much for your comment! It's so nice to hear from you- and I appreciate your sweet words!

     Joanna / 04 Jul 2010 / 6:51 pm / Reply

9. [...] the same thought process, as I described not long ago in my post about choosing the right camera for your needs and skills I recommended couple of models for them to take a look at: Nikon D5000 [...]

   Live View Mode In Your DSLR Camera | Joanna's Foto / 27 Aug 2010 / 8:12 pm / Reply