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Expensive gear vs Talent


10 years 2 weeks ago #366497 by Tim Kelley
I normally don't admit to being on Facebook, but for this thread I'm going to disclose I read this on another photographers update today.  This created a stir of controversy that I would like to see what photography talk thought about it.  

The original poster of this FB thread stated that people who state that gear didn't make photos pop above others were full of {brown smelly stuff}.  "Because expensive gear is how you can photograph something at ISO 6400, where as talent can't help you.  It's expensive gear that allows you to get nice creamy melt in your pants bokeh, where as talent can not help you here either."  

Anyway, he went on and on with a number of other examples.  What is funny is that some some of the "it's all about talent and skill" switched over in the back and forth arguments.  I found this entertaining, but must say a unskilled photographer isn't going to become a grand photographer because of his Canon 1Dx or Nikon D4.  
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10 years 2 weeks ago - 10 years 2 weeks ago #366533 by garyrhook
<jeopardy>I'll take "Loud-Mouthed Idiots" for $200, please, Alex.</jeopardy>

Better gear allows greater technical possibilities. But talent (aka skill) still comes out ahead. There's more to good photography than high ISO shots and blurry backgrounds.
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366545 by ThatNikonGuy
Nope, natta, nothing.    Any one can push a button on a fancy camera, but only a skilled photographer can know what to do with all that technology and how it works with the fundamentals of photography to capture an eye catching shot.  
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366547 by Stealthy Ninja
He's not 100% wrong. Sometimes you need a special piece of equipment to get a certain shot.

However, you need the talent to be able to use said equipment to get that shot.

It actually goes both ways.
img\def

www.aevansphoto.com
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366615 by photobod
We've all seen great shots taken on mediocre equipment, we've all seen great shots taken on quality equipment, I would call it a draw !!! In other words does it really matter so long as we get to see wonderful photos, be it from a box brownie or a Nikon D4 ???
www.dcimages.org.uk
"A good photograph is one that communicate a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." - Irving Penn
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366617 by Hassner
I see a lot of below average images coming from top equipment. I must confess, they don't aspire to become professional. Whatever you can afford and can afford. I know it is going to lay in the cupboard for a year. Then it comes onto the 2nd hand market where I can pick it up for much cheaper. ;)

The best two tools in photography is passion and creativity.
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366639 by PixelProof
Somewhat true and somewhat not.  I have a 1Dx and that camera allows me to shoot things that a 50D wouldn't.  Or shoot them in a way that they look good.  But as an experienced fashion photographer, it really doesn't matter what you have.  Now that 50D would be awful for night time football whereas the 1Dx would be perfect.  Each camera has it's use.  But I would still say that the camera doesn't make the photographer.  I know a guy who had a 1Dx and his photos were awful.  :)
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366745 by Don Fischer
I'd rather be lucky than good any day! It isn't the tool, it's the mechanic. Ever notice someone comes up with a super photo with a bottom of the line entry camera and lens? Happens all the time you just have to know how to use what you have. Obviously a better camera will make the job easier.There's a guy on a hunting site I'm on that is a Tamron rep back east. For all the praise given OME lens's this guy takes super photo's. How is that possible with an inexpensive piece of gear? Easy, the guy knows what he's doing! He does shoot Nikon cameras but I have no idea which model. But I doubt the end result would be any different if he shot the entry level pentax.
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366761 by Joves
I love these threads. I am in the camp of you need the talent to use the equipment to its full potential. You can get some great high ISO shots with a lower tier camera, but you have to nail the shot. You can get noisy photos from the newer cameras as well if you screw the pooch as well. Which is what happens if you do not know how to use the gear. 
Far too many in this day and age have gear envy, or gear pride if they have deep pockets, to over compensate for lack of skill. It is a lot like another inadequacy these types tend to have, and use things to make themselves feel more impotent.
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366885 by Paris Gal
Talent will always trump the gear.  Bottom line.
5D mark II gripped | Canon 100L | Canon 85 1.8 | Sigma 50 1.4 | Tamron 28-75 2.8 | 580ex II | 430ex II x 2 |
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366933 by Scotty
Expensive gear limits you less, but you limit yourself.
When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366977 by Stealthy Ninja

PixelProof wrote: I know a guy who had a 1Dx and his photos were awful.  :)


Stop revealing my secrets. :silly:

Paris Gal wrote: Talent will always trump the gear.  Bottom line.


Photoshop skillzors trumps them all.
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www.aevansphoto.com
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10 years 2 weeks ago #366989 by Scotty

Stealthy Ninja wrote:

PixelProof wrote: I know a guy who had a 1Dx and his photos were awful.  :)


Stop revealing my secrets. :silly:

Paris Gal wrote: Talent will always trump the gear.  Bottom line.


Photoshop skillzors trumps them all.


Absolute truth.
When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.
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10 years 2 weeks ago #367019 by garyrhook

Joves wrote: ...and use things to make themselves feel more impotent.


Wait...what? :blink:
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10 years 2 weeks ago #367043 by effron
My suggestion to the OP is unplug from farcebook. This is an almost weekly lame subject....:S
Why so serious?
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