Pixiq

Yes! How many times have I said the same thing to someone - it's not the gear, it's the photographer. The problem is that it's much easier to tell yourself that if you only had this or that camera, then you'd get better pictures; when the truth is that you might get better pictures if spent more time reading great literature.

Okay, it's something of an exaggeration because what it really is - is you need the right equipment for your own vision, or style, or whatever you call your art.

My current camera is a 500D which I went to from the 5D. And for me - this is the right camera.

Most of the great photographs taken by the greatest photographers in the history of photography, were not done with the technology we have now. Your camera does not need to be the latest or the greatest. I would guess that the majority of images ever produced were captured with a normal lens. Almost every camera ever made comes with one of those. Great photographers make great images with what is available. It is about connecting with what you have at the moment.

Breaking the crank on your tripod is probably a good thing since raising the center column lessens the stability of your camera.

BTW, some filter manufacturers will repair a filter, that has popped out of its ring, gratis. Some camera shops have the tool to put them back together too, if you have the retaining ring.

I have two remotes for my Nikon, wired and wireless, neither of which cost me over $25 US new. They may not be as robust as the Nikon brand units but I'm careful with my equipment and the money I saved went towards more gear.

Certainly some cameras allow you to accomplish specific photographic tasks more easily than others. But just as clearly, knowing how to use photographic tools, in conjunction with imagination and an ability to envision scenes (or setups), is more important than the brand of camera you are using. These are really interesting and nicely done photos.

wow love your stuff and turned my daughter (photographer/ cinematographer- in LA, USA) onto your work. She was debating whether or not to buy the 5D- after seeing this article, my bet is she will.

best
e

Having just purchased a 7D with a 18-135mm kit lens, a tripod, Promote remote, and feeling sorry for myself about my images, you just reminded me what is important. Most of your great images were taken with that 350D and Trey Ratcliff has a photo hanging in the Smithsonian that was taken with a D90. I need to spend a little more time taking images with what I do have and less time worrying about what I don't.

*I truly feel blessed with abundance. Since starting Full Sail University in 2009 I now have a Macbook Pro, Adobe Creative Suite CS4 Master Collection (order the CS5 upgrade yesterday), Lightroom 3, a Canon7D with 18-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS lens, an Induro APO tripod, and Promote Remote and a family that endures my constant obsession with taking photos of them.

Attached is an example of something I created with what I have

Excellent article I have a DSLR but I now tend to use small Leica dlux3 or my Ricoh GX100 a lot. The ricoh has a great wide 24mm and a terrific 1cm macro plus I can add filters using the adapter tube while still carrying a lightweight camera. The leica is a dream too. i enjoy your Icelandic photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leica-torquay/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/airtorbay

It's not the gear, it's the person behind the gear...so true but so many people don't understand...
I will write down your recommendations of lenses, the Canon fisheye and the Sigma wide angle look like great investments!

I was inspired by Rebekka and started shooting photos.
So,Rebekka this is for you

Great article! You focus on your art and not the tools. I have done some of my best work with the cheapest DSLR cameras and lenses on the market. Your eye is still the best photographic tool you will ever have. My photos can be seen at http://stylepeterson.com

So true. Even after getting my new camera (which I love), I continued using my old 350D - it's still a great camera, it's light and just perfect for walks when I don't want to carry heavy gear and my photos with the new one are not even slightly better than those taken with the old one. I even started using the kit-lenses again although everybody still continues telling me those ones suck.

Well for me - I love shopping photo gear but the real kick is getting out and start shooting!

You images are great, you must have a really good camera!!! Just kidding ;-)

I love your landscapes and wonder what is your opinion on using graduated neutral density filters in this day and age. Do you use them? Do you hand-hold them in front of your 15mm lens? Are they worth buying if one is already familiar with local adjustments in Lightroom and blending exposures in Photoshop?

I couldn't agree more. I use a 5d mkI w/ a 24-70L ƒ2.8 and a 50 ƒ1.4. My gear isn't the newest or the best but it still great. When I shoot concerts I tend to see the other photographers rocking 5d mkIIs (usually with a second body) and a variety of L-Series glass. My photos come out better in my opinion because I believe in shooting fully manual and knowing your limits. This will carry you far but having a good eye is by far the most important thing in my book regardless of what you shoot with.

I'm enjoying these articles by the way. Keep 'em coming.

Oh sweet we can add pics! This was taken last week at the Nosaj Thing/Mary Anne Hobbs show @ the Music Hall of Williamsburg