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Now that Allan and myself have both upgraded our cameras, I found myself wondering about the strange incremental changes that improving such equipment makes in your own perceptions. …
I went from a slow and soft standard zoom to a faster and sharper lens, and, yes, I can see the difference. But not all – not many in fact – of my new pictures are masterpieces of clarity (which just goes to show that holding the camera steady is the most important component of a sharp picture). Neither are some of my older pictures that much blurrier either. The change is real, but it is not profound.
This is always the way with high end equipment in my experience, particularly camera and hi-fi equipment. You pay a lot more for a small increase in quality. Now, you feel assured that this small increase places you in a category beyond that possibly achievable with the low-end equipment, and indeed this is so. But does that necessarily translate into a better experience?
The answer is no. The reason is clear to me. Any act – such as taking a photograph or listening to music – is dependent on so much more than the equipment involved. The setting, events occuring at the time, your mood and emotional involvement – all these play more of a role than any focus on the technology involved.
This is why I have very little patience for the technology-centered crowd who will passionately argue the worth of one piece of equipment vs. another and yet seem to completely ignore these other factors. It does seem to be a male thing; perhaps some men are less able to recognize the emotional component of what they do, or at least be able to articulate that aspect.
I know that I hold some photographs taken on the most primitive equipment or an experience of music heard on the tinniest of reproducers in higher regard than most of what I have done or heard on much better equipment. So why even bother upgrading? Partly because it does appeal to the 'new toy' aspect of my personality, partly because it involves learning new skills, and partly because it does reveal details that were hidden before. These are not negligible pleasures. But they are no guarantee of transcendence! 🙂
edwardpiercy said:
It's the potential at least of the better equipment that is seductive. They always say, "it's the photographer, not the camera." And that's true — to a certain degree. But you can no doubt take more consitently good photos off of your Digital Rebel than you could with a dime-store film camera. Or at least you can if you know something about photography and take time to learn the camera. I think that is the best "new toy" aspect — just being able to take the camera out and say, "Now, let's see what I can do with this baby!"Ironically, I'm actually thinking about downgrading, inasmuch as my old DSLR is just too big and heavy for me to carry around with my bad ticker. I've been thiking about the Leica D-Lux 3. It's basically a Panasonic LX-2 with the Leica imaging processing algorithms. It's small and light and can do most things I want a camera to do. Until I get the money I'm still shooting my F100 SLR, which with the small 50mm is light enough to tote around — withour the camera bag, though.I'm really looking forward to seeing some of your photos.Have fun!
wickedlizard said:
i wonder, for such an amateur as myself, compared to you guys – am I doing alright???? p:
musickna said:
Isabel, first of all I am not a professional at all (although to my astonishment two of my photos did end up in an engineering company's brochure) and secondly, compared to us guys you are doing very well if not better. So there it is! :DWhat really matters is whether the photograph is important and meaningful to you; anyone else who enjoys it is simply adding a lovely layer of gravy. :)Edward, thanks for your comments. My picture on my 365 album since and including the bus interior are with the new lens. Each day I use it, I feel more comfortable with it. Sorry to hear that your heart is putting a crimp in your photography, but I bet you'll do just as well with your Leica. 🙂
wickedlizard said:
:up:
wickedlizard said:
Cool shots! :DThanks! I have been exploring everything about my camera and experimenting left right and center. But, still I am just an amateur.
musickna said:
Thank you, Isabel! :):):)
ricewood said:
I would like to add to this interesting conversation, that in my opinion the term "amateur" is the finest title anyone could carry. As far as I know, the term means "done with the heart".Who can think of anything better? Not me.And Richard, I agree wholeheartedly with your views on upgrading.
wickedlizard said:
Thanks Ricewood! 😀
edwardpiercy said:
I had forgotten – what's the matter with my brain? — that I had checked your 365 album out. I particularly liked the train station photo.
musickna said:
Thanks, Edward – I appreciate your comment. 🙂