Forget the camera, it’s you who takes the picture.
Well, I admit that I love all those cameras, lenses, gadgets, etc. and that they give you the means to take technically good photos.
However, you don’t need a high-end DSLR in order to take awesome pictures that move people. You can create photographic pieces of art with a Polaroid from the 70s, a Lomo plastic camera or even a crappy mobile phone camera.
Just look on platforms like Flickr for those pictures and you will find true masterpieces.
Of course, I would not choose a Polaroid or Lomo camera for taking underwater photos or 1:1 macro pictures, so yes, the camera actually DOES play a role if you have a certain specialization.
But that’s not my point.
Of what use is the best camera in the world if you actually don’t see there is something worth taking a picture of? Or if you donβt know how to express your ideas with it?
If a good photo means for someone nothing more than the reproduction of reality via an image that has sharpness, neutral colors, no noise, no vignetting and no distortion, then a decent DSLR in combination with a good lens indeed lets them make “better” photos (but are they really better?).
However, no camera sees that even mundane things can be breathtakingly beautiful, if you only recognize their beauty and know how to convey it. No camera anticipates what Cartier-Bresson called the “decisive moment”.
It’s the photographer who recognizes the subject, has the idea to show it in a certain way, chooses the viewing angle, compositon and settings accordingly – the camera does not do this.
The camera is a tool – not a complex brain with the ability to think and feel.
Ken Rockwell said “Photography is the power of observation, not the application of technology.”
And he is right. I would like to modify this a bit:
Photography is the art of seeing things and showing them in a certain way.
Let’s admit it guys, that would have been a horrible blog title, so I hope you’ll excuse the polemic but more catchy phrase I have chosen.
So this blog here is about the art of seeing. Many of my visitors will know me from my project blog 365 Days, 365 Photos. Welcome back!
And now grab your camera, go out there and see!
PS: But don’t forget to drop by now and then or visit my Portfolio.
I enjoy your philosophy and very much your photos and perspectives. Nice to ‘meet’ you.
Thanks a lot for your very nice comment!
Nice to meet you, too! π
Hi Timo,
Although I love to work with my SLR my point and shoot is always in my pocket! I’ve seen a lot of wonderful polaroids and lomo-shots in the web and the real world…
What I want to say is I totally agree with you.
Have a great time and “may the light be with you” π
See you on wordpress….
Kindest regards
realworld
Thanks for dropping by! π
WOW new blog Timo? Looks great, will need to have a bit more of a look around. I obviously agreed with your point of view here too. And it’s something I try to remind myself of again and again. My biggest challenge these days is getting OUT THERE, and with our second baby due almost any day now, time will be my challenge for the years ahead. Good thing is, though, that young children still make for good subjects, though not quite the same as a quiet landscape! π
Hi Thomas!
Thanks for visiting my new blog, glad you like it!
A second baby – that’s great news. Although the first three to six months can be “hard” (concerning sleep), this is a very special time and I am sure you will enjoy it.
Awesome!
Glad you are back! π
Cheers,
Timo
I discovered your blog thru Maureen. I think you have a very good philosophy about taking photos. I will be sure to come back and check out your blog more.
Many thanks! π
Nice images you have! I totally agree with your shooting philosophy, it is the eye that takes the picture and the camera is merely a tool used. When it comes to photography most people want to know what type of camera you own , thus thinking that they perhaps can capture what you see. Do people ask artists what brand of paint or type of pencil the use when viewing a sketch or painting they admire? The basics of photography are still the same even with the most advanced DSLR. The electronics make it more complicated, and very useful at times.
Thanks for dropping by, Martina! It’s always good to hear that someone is not relying blindly on technology alone!
This certainly resonates with me. I can tell when I stumble across something whether or not I want to share it. It just clicks. Thanks again, keep up the good work! Looking forward to checking out your future pictures.
Thanks a lot for you comment!
I am looking forward to your sunrise picture project!
you’re right. the camera is just the tool. it’s your imagination that weighs more.
Hi Mark!
Thanks for dropping by!
So true Timo. Reminds me of how I got started — just walking around with a low-end camera that was in my i pod! I still mostly use an i phone 4S simply because of the ease and light weight given my physical challenges. I truly believe it’s the photographer and not the camera that is projects energy into an image. Thanks for this post — food for thought for sure!! Robyn
Hi Robyn!
Yes, to quote Chase Jarvis: the best camera is the one that’s with you!
And the camera of the iPhone 4S is very good (for smartphone standards).
I also take loads of pictures with my smartphone – the DSLR is just to heavy to carry around all the time… π
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts!
Timo
Hi there Mr.Timo, im totally agree with you.
Im a hobbyist photographer and started shooting photos a year ago using my low-end cellphone. I got frustrated sometimes because i couldn’t manage to shoot my with my desired technique. As time went on i finally realized that photography is about the desire to express, and camera is just a tool. Well now i just got my first camera few months back (not a DSLR though) but i truly appreciate what i’ve learned from the past whole year.
Your blog is truly an eye-opener to me, i can see that you blog to express, and not to impress.
Keep it up and im looking forward for your future photos!
Regards,
Timothy
Hi Timothy!
Many thanks for your comment.
Sometimes photography can even be therapeutic in a certain way. A method to see and study things.
Have fun photographing – this is one of the greatest hobbies one can have IMHO.
Cheers,
Timo
I totally agreement with your sentiment, Timo. It’s you that makes the photo and how you see the world makes the difference. Looking forward to seeing more of your work. Thanks for visiting our blog. π
Best wishes
The Fab Four of Cley
Thank you so much! π