A good camera or a good eye?
If you were giving advice to someone who was just starting out in photography, what would you recommend? Buying a good camera and lenses, or developing a good eye for a photograph?
Please don't just say photography "is a bit of both". I've seen stunning photo's taken on cheap camera phones. I've also seen very original photo's undermined by rubbish cameras.
Comments
As a photographer, I have to say, you can have all the tools in the world--you can buy $3,000 DSLR and $8,000 lenses, but in the end it's not about the tools, it's how you use them.
My photography teacher was amazing--he was very, very wise.
The first day I entered his class, he did two things:
1. He told us that the class would take pictures ONLY in black and white, because we needed to learn about composition, lighting, and so on before we could move onto color.
Kind of like a design 101 class. You need to learn the basics before you can move onto the complicated ideas. Just like a traditional art class, photography is no different--you NEED that good foundation in order to be a good photographer.
2. For our first assignment, he gave us cheap, plastic cameras that only had 30 exposures. You know, those little Kodak single-use, disposable cameras.
And he demanded that we take great photos with these dinky cameras!
Imagine my shock...!
Frustrated, I completed the assignment, as told, trying to find good shots, but I wasn't convinced that I could do much with such a cheap, useless camera.
I used up my exposures and brought them to Ritz Camera to be developed.
Three days later, I received my developed photos, and lo and behold...they were actually decent! I thought that disposable cameras were to be used on vacations or outings--or one could use a point-and-shoot.
I was wrong. I went into class the day after I had my revelation, and my teacher made a point of saying that he had us use the disposable cameras to teach us to rely on skill, not equipment.
To this day, I haven't forgotten that lesson. It resonates within my heart every time I take a photograph, be it with my DSLR, my point-and-shoot, or a disposable camera.
So, in short, I'd say, develop your eye. Too often do I see kids/adults who manage to get their hands on a camera/equipment and believe that it'll bestow upon them magical professional photography powers.
And more often than not...it doesn't. Develop your eye and don't forget that as an artist and photographer, there's always room for growth and discovery.
If you keep that in mind, you'll become a wonderful photographer.
(Sorry for the long answer. :] )
a lens is more important, I say. A good eye can only come naturally over time, and having a decent camera will definitely help that.
you can take great pics with a camera phone, but they're never good for anything other than facebook. Also, spending a little money on a camera will instil a little enthusiasm, which will ultimately end in a good eye.
A good eye, without a shadow of a doubt. But a camera that is capable of expanding to meet the needs of the photographer as he or she develops - which usually means a SLR but certainly not an automatic everything. In the 'old days' of film the beginner was usually advised to buy an all manual camera and to get to know how it worked. What, for example, are the effects of differing f.stop/speed setting combinations.
Yes, it is possible to take good photographs with a camera phone I'm a recent convert having been given my son's cast off Nokia N73 which is with me all the time. However, I wouldn't be without my DSLR and the ability to change lenses, adjust for the effects I want.
But, I reterate, at the end of the day it's the brain behind the glass that matters.
Most people react to what they see in front of them. People with a 'good eye' do it the other way round, they have an idea and use photography to realize that image. The trigger could be looking at great images from past masters and seeing the possibility to use one of their techniques on the scene in front of you.
Develop what is called 'seeing' this is actually seeing the image as it presents itself, it could be a close up, an unusual angle. There are probably 12 great pictures in the room your in at the moment, the problem is 'seeing' them. 'Seeing' is when you stop to take a picture that everybody else walked past.
Only practice and mastering your camera makes these great pictures possible. Don't get bogged down by technology, don't get caught up in trying for perfection, that will come in time, free yourself from all that garbage.
Take every opportunity to look at great images, analyse and keep in mind, an opportunity will arise to take a similar shot for yourself. After a while you start to generate your own way of looking at the world, you slowly start to develop your own style, your own 'good eye', but it takes time.
Use the camera as a tool to record whats happening in your head to that scene or situation, actually that's what we all do anyway, looking at other peoples good work just broadens your horizons.
Your capturing Light, actually look at it, how low light exaggerates texture, how high light does it differently, how soft light does it differently again. You can do it on a table top with an orange and an anglepoise lamp. Then think how the texture of an orange skin in small scale is detail in the larger scale of a landscape. With that knowledge you can work out where the sun needs to be to bring out the brickwork of a building (texture) from the angle you want, and what time of day it happens. In other words you plan your shot before you even leave your front door.
A 'good eye is not something your born with it something that develops over time.
Chris
You need an Eye...
You need not just an ordinary Eye but the eye the see the perspective of everything under the light and behind the darkness
You need a subject with great history, insatiable emotions or with a history of his own.
You need a camera not by the quality but whether you can always carry it around.
Because picture perfect moments doesn't come noticed
You need the love for the art
Because with out it you're only fooling yourself
Eye, and lots of practice
Don't jump on and buy loads of equipment. That said, I'd start with an SLR rather than a compact as you will learn more and can be upgraded. Try with a second-hand film camera at first, they are cheap and fun. Film can also be good as it teaches you to think before taking the picture (each shot costs you!)
A good eye, lighting and practice.
If your serious you do need a half decent camera not a mobile phone. Yes they may have 5/6 megapixels, and I agree with you that you can get some good images, but the lenses are pretty poor and printing them larger you will notice the lack of definition
I think you need a good eye because what's the use of a good camera if you've no idea how to take a good photo?
Neither is any good without the brains.One of my first tutor's exercises was to photograph a white egg on a white background with one lamp and two sheets of paper,one white,one black,as reflectors.In those days we used 120 film cameras and the task was to take 12 totally different photos.It is still an exercise I use today,40 odd years after.To exercise the brain you only have to think the pictures.To gain control over exposure and light and form you have to take those thoughts and convert them into images.
This site contains photography tutorials and courses for you to study at your own pace. https://tr.im/Tosbg
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