Photographers are constantly inundated from every direction by a variety of messages: the need to constantly buy new and better gear, the kind of trends you need to follow to land clients, the latest social media platforms, and much more. Some of these can be quite detrimental. This insightful video discusses one such message and why you need to beware of it before it costs you.
Coming to you from Taylor Jackson, this awesome video essay discusses the issue of being convinced that we can buy our way to success as a photographer. This is an extremely common issue that almost every photographer, both new and experienced, goes through at some point. It would be a lie to say that better gear will never improve your images; it is true that a sharper lens or a camera with higher resolution will increase the technical quality of your images. Rarely, though, is there an image that simply would not be possible without more expensive gear. And more importantly, that pricier lens or camera will not replace a deficit in technique or creativity. It might mask it temporarily, which is how we often get stuck in that buying cycle, but eventually, our original lack of skill or creative ideas will come to light again. Often, it is much better to save that money and invest in practice or education. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Jackson.
Totally agree, but I can understand why people constantly buy new gear. Look at social media and video platforms and we are all inundated with photographer pontificators who can't wait to highlight their shinny new gear because "they truly need it" for what they do. As if they were unable to make a living with the gear they already had, but no, "they" really need it. They tell you so and immediately abandon the subject, moving rapidly to whatever they are highlighting that day. But I can understand sometimes, as a long-time Leica photographer with the original M240, I can attest to how camera companies cut off models from just one iteration back from all the goodies that come with firmware updates. The consumer photographer is then caught somewhere in the middle between upgrading gear and not having access to new functionalities, so I can't blame anyone for upgrading to get some new stuff. This will never change, so I say that best to be budget conscious and do whatever you want and your money allows.
The first two minutes of this video are completely unwatchable. Vapid and stupid. Could not finish watching. Also, my throat is sore from screaming at the tv
Ironic coming from one of the loudest purveyors of GAS on YouTube. Every time there is a new camera, you will see Mr. Jackson talking about how he has already shot 10K images and this is the best thing since sliced bread. Rather hypocritical.
Hi Alex. I enjoyed your humorous and informative post, just wished I had known this info back in 1978. More starting photographers should see this video. I have reinvented myself maybe a dozen times because I was on the fence about staying up to date with trends and trying to figure out what I like most about my shots. Many years later after that, I nailed it. Thank you for the post.
Hi Alex. I enjoyed your humorous and informative post, just wished I had known this info back in 1978. More starting photographers should see this video. I have reinvented myself maybe a dozen times because I was on the fence about staying up to date with trends and trying to figure out what I like most about my shots. Many years later after that, I nailed it. Thank you for the post.
Obviously you don't do much sports, night and concert photography and compete with other media outlets daily trying to bring the best picture.
I was lucky to be in the film days from 75 to '10 and got my eye then. Went T2i in '10 but in '13 Canon remove from their site and it was the years of using a makers software to edit PS and Lr both $800 each and each full update. The reason to go Sony with Capture One at $30 but also the A7S had bracketing 5 at +/- 3 EV, it was the HDR days, but found it was great for Milky Way's, yes 12mp but made images poster size. But then '17 the A7RM2 for IBIS no one else had. AH! A7M3 IBIS, backlit sensor and ISO invariance also maintaining Bright Monitoring and dual ISO all a reason to stay at the same price.
T2i Bracket, A7s using on camera app Digital Filter, A7S using E 10-18mm f/4 OSS in FF 12mm, A7RM2 using FE 12-24mm G f/4 so sharp far and near and hand held. A camera is a tool getting more gear to help make better images but you have to know what it has like bright monitoring that no reviewer ever mentions or the on camera apps on Mod 1's and 2's.
I had a feeling these comments were going to be kind of fiery.
Yes the obvious conundrum with a video itself is that many photographers are making their real money by creating videos to sell gear to other photographers along with tips tricks presets etc. The photographers are basically living off their own as opposed to clients which is what it's supposed to be.
It is what it is, you should be able to make money off of what you know especially compared to what you physically can do.
That said, if all of these photographers didn't have the channel to sell to other photographers you would wonder how many of them would still be in business at all.
It is what it is.
Now let me go off to check out this adorama video with all this pro photo gear that I can't afford that I don't need for my shoots. Cheers!
Better gear doesn't get you better photos but it definitely makes your life easier as a photographer. I went from manually focusing and winding a Hasselblad 500c in the 90s to an A1 with 30fps. Would I go back. No way. I remember how much my fingers hurt at the end of a wedding.
The time to "buy" is when there is a technical issue or technical barrier, that you can ONLY solve with a particular item of gear.
One example - a mirrorless with a rear screen - if the light's behind you and you don't have a viewfinder (like an EV), you won't be able to see what you're shooting.
If you're a birder or sports 'tog, you'll need some kind of tele - and you'll probably lust after a modern AF system, like the ones coming onto the market that lock on the eye of a bird or animal.
But if most of your photos are never printed or - if they are - never printed at greater than A4, you probably won't need a 45MP sensor - somewhere around 20 to 26 will do just fine.
I have no idea what he was going to say because the theatrical embellishments meant I tuned out well before his intended message. Total waste of time...
Having been around in the rise of digital, those 3MP cameras with a 1" viewing screen and some really weird colour casts, it is not surprising that the world of digital photography has seen upgrades as necessary, but the reality is that the basics of digital photography have been mature for a decade now. Indeed, there are plenty of cameras being sold new today that were launched more than 5 years ago.
So there will always be some minor tweaks, and I predict that some of the wizzy smartphone photo-fixing will migrate into the world of mirrorless (noise free night-time riverscape, grab your Pixel 6a) but, it is hard to see what the current crop of cameras NEED to change or improve to deliver a better experience.
The one thing I wish they'd got right was easy transfer off cameras. Seems mad to still be using a sneakernet (ejecting an SD card and slapping it in a computer) to get pictures off the camera.
It seems to me that the one place where photography is improving is in the world of post-processing. Anyone who is in the world of Lightroom and similar will recognise how that has leapt forward from a tweaker to a serious editor without any mental investment required.