SO, WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DO YOU USE? | Kachoozie Stock Images

Inevitably, the moment people find out that I am a photographer, the first question they ask is what kind of photography do you do, and the second question is what kind of camera do you use?

I think the first question is a valid one, although when I say that I enjoy to do photo illustrations and fine art photography, I get nothing but a blank stare, (Apparently, not the answer they were looking for. What do they want m to say, weddings?) But when people want to know the brand and the model of camera I shoot with, I have to bite my tongue and thing of sea horses. Because it does not make a difference what i shoot with.

I am a good photographer because of my photographic eye, not because I have a fancy camera.

I bring this up for two reasons: one, as a photographer you don’t need to buy an $8,000 camera to take good pictures; and two, the public needs to be educated.

YOU DON’T NEED AN $8,000 CAMERA

I can feel the wrath of both Nikon and professional photographers breathing down my neck for what I am about to say but I’m going to say it anyway: Do not buy an $8,000 camera. You do not need it.

The reasoning behind this bold and very unpopular sentiment is many amazing photographers – not just an isolated few – shot with very simple cameras: Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, Dorthea Lange, to name a few. It hasn’t been until recently with the advent of the digital camera that people, especially photographers, feel the necessity to buy over-priced cameras. The David La Chapelles of the world are perpetuating the perception that photographers are rock stars with entourages and high-end equipment through their bold and extravagant lifestyles.

I have taken amazing images with my plastic $10 Holga, my 6 year old Canon point-and-shoot, and my iPhone, none of which are high-end, pricey cameras.

It’s not the price tag of a camera which determines the quality of an image, but the one pushing the shutter release.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE EDUCATED

For all the reasons I stated above and more, the public needs to be educated about what constitutes a good photograph; it is never because of the model of the camera used the create the image.

As with all art mediums, photography relies on the elements and principles of art:

shape
line
color
form
texture
space
value
emphasis
balance
harmony
variety
movement
rhythm
proportion
unity

Aside from these factors, the general principles of composition, the rule of thirds, and a thorough understanding of lighting is needed. Not to mention the basic understanding of exposure, the law of reciprocity, aperture, and shutter speed.

I spent 4 years studying photography before I earned by Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography. Many artists go on to earn masters degrees in photography. It’s preposterous to assume that purchasing a four-figure camera alone will produce good imagery.

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