Pointing and Shooting

[vandergus]

I ran across this article the other day and thought it might make for some interesting discussion.

Alex Majoli Points and Shoots

I don't think the point of the article is the ever controversial mantra that "The camera doesn't matter". It's fairly obvious that the camera Majoli chose was very important to his way of working. I think it's more about identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the equipment that is available to you and/or choosing the equipment that best fits your style regardless of whether or not it is in line with the current paradigm.

What do you guys think?

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by vandergus

What do you guys think?

For some, it could be the one within their comfort zones (Alex Majoli had tried a Canon D30). It could also be the one within their budgets for others (Leica for Henri Cartier-Bresson).

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by vandergus

I ran across this article the other day and thought it might make for some interesting discussion.

Alex Majoli Points and Shoots

I don't think the point of the article is the ever controversial mantra that "The camera doesn't matter". It's fairly obvious that the camera Majoli chose was very important to his way of working. I think it's more about identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the equipment that is available to you and/or choosing the equipment that best fits your style regardless of whether or not it is in line with the current paradigm.

What do you guys think?

First of all, thanks for sharing and creating the opportunity for discussion.

I have to disagree with the statement that the article isn't about 'the camera doesn't matter' belief. I think it's exactly about that. It's about the photographer...his abilities and artistry. It's about his ingenuity, working around the shortcomings of the camera. Creating techniques to make them perform in those situations, getting the results he wanted.

Having said that, there is a certain 'camera DOES matter' aspect to it. The stealthiness of what he was using allowed him a certain advantage, as he states. But my overall view from the article I get is that Alex Majoli is a photographer. It starts with him. The equipment is secondary.

Again, thanks for sharing. Thought provoking and inspiring.

[sk66]

I think it's a combination of both. The key is understanding how you work, what kind of photos you like to take and finding the camera that is right for you.

Not too long ago I was looking into getting a second camera. I already had a D300. I was considering adding a D3/D700, or something different.

I considered the shortcomings of my current gear...technically very few. I considered my dissatisfaction with my gear....primarily weight/size/convenience.

I looked at the options in other cameras and considered their weaknesses. I realized that I seldom use flash, seldom work in low light, seldom desire to get very shallow DOF (more often I try for greater DOF, or something in the middle) and that the vast majority of my pics are taken between 25 and 150mm (and it isn't due to a lack of lenses I have available). I studied "my photography", what I like to do, how I like to do it, and my overall style....I picked a camera to fit that.

So I bought a Canon G-10. This camera is a compliment to my other gear. It makes many things much easier than the DSLR, or even possible where it is not with the DSLR (i.e. draws less attention/ it is not a "pro" camera). It fit's my style and my photography 80-90% of the time, and I could probably adapt to increase that (but I don't need to). I've honestly considered ditching the DSLR entirely, but I won't. There are times where the limitations are just too great and I'd be really disappointed with the G-10. But it does kill me that I have probably 10x the money invested for 15% of my photography. And even when I'm carrying the D300 I have the G-10 along. (sure beats trying to swap out a 500mm lens to get a wider shot.)

Unfortunately, in order to be able to make these types of evaluations/decisions. You have to have developed something of an overall style, which means you have to have been taking photographs for quite some time already. And you have to be able to get away from being "gear focused" which is harder than it might seem.