138: The Myth of the Perfect Camera

What if I told you, your camera is a waste of money, and spending
more money on a better camera will never make you a better
photographer?


Well it is all true and today I’m going to prove it to you.


Let’s talk about your camera, your baby. The thing that will
unlock doors for you. Lets you explore your creativity, bring
smiles to the faces of so many. The thing you treat like a baby.
So precious you must protect it.


Yet at the same time... you want to get rid of it. You would
throw your camera away in a HEARTBEAT if it meant you could
upgrade to a flagship professional grade camera body.


Why you ask?


Oh man, where to start, Its full frame, it can shoot 15fps, max
shutter speed of 1/8000th (think of all the humming bird shots
you could take!) its weather proof, can survive a bomb explosion,
and will SURELY elevate you as a better photographer!


That sounds incredible.


However it is completely false.


A new fancy camera will not improve your photos. It will not win
you any awards. No one will come throwing money at you because of
the camera you own. Why? No one cares but you. Why? Because the
camera does not influence a photo as much as the person holding
the camera does.


Plain and simple.


A professional camera does have its advantages sure. The rugged
body, faster autofocus, and larger sensor. But which of those
will make your photo stand out? None.


Every camera ever has used just 3 settings to expose an image.


Aperture, which is in the lens and not the camera.


ISO which is the cameras sensitivity to light


And Shutter speed.


The cameras sensitivity to light or ISO is determined by the
cameras sensor. With the speed at which technology advances, $500
entry level cameras have the same ISO performance as $5000
flagship cameras did just a few short years ago. Where we are at
right now, flagship cameras can pretty much shoot in the dark,
which is awesome... but its not that practical. You would never
really want to use a photo that you shot in the dark.


I still get the allure. When I was shooting with a 8mp canon XT I
lusted after the 5dmk2. Now I would rather have a new entry level
camera rather than a 5dmk2. And you know what, an entry level
camera today STILL cost less than a used 5dmk2.


So what does that mean? It means you are lucky. You are fortunate
to live in a time where it is cheaper and easier than ever to
take amazing photographs.


Now I know what you’re saying. If its easier than ever to take
amazing photographs, how come my camera does not take amazing
photographs?


Its because YOU dont take amazing photographs.


Now that was not a personal attack and I’m sure it was an
incredibly hard pill to swallow.


What I mean by that is simply that while the camera has some
effect on the final image it is YOU who tells the camera how to
take a photo. And if you dont know how a camera sees light, and
you don’t which setting to change to get the photo you want, and
you look at the photos you have taken on the computer wonder why
they dont look like the photos you see online or in magazines,
then the problem is you and not the camera.


If you don’t believe me, rent your dream camera body. I rent all
of my gear from CameraLensRentals.com and you can even get
20% off your order by using the promo code “Begi


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Thanks for listening & keep shooting!