Is It You or Is It Your Camera?

If you have a better camera, will you make a better photograph? As Nikon, Canon and others release ever more sophisticated cameras, MEG member Alan Sislen shared his thoughts on the topic on his blog.

                                                    (C) Alan Sislen

Probably the most frequent question I’m asked about my photography, is “What camera do you use?” For some people it may seem like a logical question to ask, but once they know the answer, then what?! The implication, is that somehow, the camera was responsible for making the photograph, and that anyone else with the same camera could obviously have taken the same photograph.

We’ve all heard the un-truism that, “Clothes make the man” (or woman, to be PC) and it’s the same for photography, painting, cooking, or master carpentry. While the camera may contribute to the quality of the photograph, or the canvas, paints and brushes may contribute to the painting, or the pots, pans and ingredients might contribute to the taste of the meal, or the lathe might have helped produce the furniture, we all know that much, much more is involved in the final piece of art, meal or furniture. In fact, the artist or cook or carpenter merely increased the probability of getting their desired outcome if they used the most appropriate tools. But it is those tools PLUS their skills, training, experience, and sometimes luck, that helped them accomplish their ideal outcome. 

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