Equipment vs Creativity

[Vrinda]

Over on Flickr, I got involved in a discussion about whether or not having "pro" equipment is what enables someone to take great photos. One of my comments on the discussion thread got long and I turned it into a blog post instead, I'm curious to get varying viewpoints.

How important do you think it is to have the right equipment? How much difference will it make to a photographer's work?

Equipment vs Creativity?

As someone who exclusively used point & shoots for years, this is a subject I find very interesting, I'd love to have your input.

[LeeR]

Itzhak Perlman was onstage doing a last minute tuning of his violin when one of his strings broke. He quietly pulled the string off as everyone, the orchestra, the conductor and the audience waited for him to get a new one. Instead, and to their utter amazement, he nodded to the conductor to proceed. No one could believe that he was going to attempt to play a difficult violin concerto with just three strings, but he did. When he was finished the audience sat in stunned silence for a moment, then erupted in applause for what they had just witnessed. He held up his bow to silence the crowd and said, "You know, sometimes it's the artist's task to find out how much music you can make with what you still have left."

That's another way of saying, "If you don't think Joel Meyerowitz or Pete Turner couldn't pick up your lousy point & shoot and do something just as amazing, you don't know what you are talking about."

[OsmosisStudios]

Professional equipment will produce the exact same images as a point-and-shoot when in the hands of someone that doesnt know how to use it. Possibly, even, it could do worse.

The difference between "professional" equipment is just abilities. If you need 8fps to get a shot, youre not gonna do it with a point and shoot camera (that being said, the Sony HX1 does 10mp at 10fps). You're also not going to get f/1.2 bokeh with a point and shoot camera.

Creativity is what allows you to use the equipment.

[dakwegmo]

Limitations of any sort generally serve to foster, rather than diminish creativity. When you have the money, there's a great temptation to solve problems by simply buying whatever gear you think will solve that problem, rather than thinking up new ways to approach it.

[Vrinda]

Originally Posted by LeeR

"You know, sometimes it's the artist's task to find out how much music you can make with what you still have left."

Excellent story, thank you! I love this quote.

It's so true, we're used to "needing" the best of everything.. Imagine how much greater the quality of our work, our lives in fact, might be if we were to really make the most of what we have now, instead of saying, "I'll be that good when I have the right camera/lens/flash/software".

[Vrinda]

Originally Posted by LeeR

"You know, sometimes it's the artist's task to find out how much music you can make with what you still have left."

Excellent story, thank you! I love this quote.

It's so true, we're used to "needing" the best of everything.. Imagine how much greater the quality of our work, our lives in fact, might be if we were to really make the most of what we have now, instead of saying, "I'll be that good when I have the right camera/lens/flash/software".

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

When you have the money, there's a great temptation to solve problems by simply buying whatever gear you think will solve that problem, rather than thinking up new ways to approach it.

I agree completely! How easy is it to blame a lack of great images on not having the right piece of equipment?

[i speak in math]

I hate to burst everyones bubbles, but
snopes.com: Itzhak Perlman Three Strings

Never happened.

Also, it really depends on what you are taking pictures of. For instance, sure, my point and shoot can take great pictures of, lets say, a tree. But you aren't going to take pro weddings pictures with it. You aren't going to have any high ISO so discount any venue where that is important...

I'm not saying you can't take great picture with cheap equipment -- look at Chase Jarvis and his book . There are some great shots in there and thats with an iPhone. But he's not going to use it for a pro photoshoot, because it can't take pro pictures

[FrankLamont]

Eric - I also had heard of the Perlman story, and that some believed it wasn't true. I don't personally believe it happened, but the quote still stands. Even if the quote, then, was made up, it's relevant: Itzak Perlman does not have much to rely on, with the affliction of polio.

Still, regarding the OP - it's a balance.

It's really difficult to shoot a wedding beautifully under dark lighting with a $2 Hello Kitty camera.

[zona5101]

There’s another saying… “When all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail”
Are creative people self-limiting their creativity by not having the tools to make their vision into an image?

[Cardiiiii]

I'd like to share a different type of view. Yes it is true that even a P&S in the hands of a good photographer will still produce great pics. But what if your equipment doesn't let you do what you want to do.

For example. I was taking a few pics of my cousins engagement with a 550D & 18-55 kit lens. It worked ok late afternoon/early evening but as it started getting dark I it was getting harder to capture moving subjects. I'd either have to use a flash or crank up the ISO. I'm sure my technique and knowledge of my camera could improve a bit more, but can I really improve using my kit lens in such situations where it's just not suitable?

What if I had a fast prime or the 16-35L? I'm sure I could have gotten better (clearer) pics. If I were to have a 16-35, with practise I'm sure I'd get better with more shooting. My kit lens will only take me so far. So even though I'm just a beginner and if I were to have the funds available to me (unfortunately I don't), is it wrong for me to upgrade to 'professional' lens just because I don't have much experience?