Leaving aside a pound of flesh

“In love, there is always one who kisses and one who offers the cheek”

- FRENCH PROVERB



It seems to me that there isn’t so much different in the function consideration of DSLRs built on the 35mm format model and that there is too great a concern for the details enough to worry about the state of photography overall which is in poor condition. Certainly let’s just ignore that the object that is the camera is but a tool to achieve an aesthetic aim and that we could more likely reach our aesthetic expectations through concerted application of our skills as thinking and interested beings that want to work with and create art.

Digital camera functionality (speed, high ISO sensitivity, auto focus, buffer size, auto ISO, and many more features) is very high and very capable and very expensive. Everything that I have used or sampled is terrifically capable and solid. My F2 and Minoltas are also and the Rollei 6008i isn’t too bad either.

Photo and camera related software is adequate. The interfaces are generally readable and learnable, but still require a serious effort to learn the functionality enough to match our expectations of vision and aesthetics. Photoshop is a very large tool for often small needed tweaks and twists of preference.

Photographer’s knowledge and general experience with cameras and photography is generally poor. We are still a mass audience of snapshot addicted sheep that argue esoteric and silly points on forums and wrestle with ourselves over the capabilities and limitations of our gear enough that we fail to see and cultivate an appreciation of the qualities of light, timing and composition. You can easily pick out those folks on the forums that have less than ten years experience working and thinking seriously about photography and cameras.

Finally, the biggest lacking element in this examination leads us to conclude that the largest vacancy in the photography field is in the area of creativity. Regardless of the choice of tools and the capability of these tools there is no impinging influence on our exercise of creativity and application of our skills and enthusiasm when making photographs unless we allow these foreign elements to creep into our psyche. Our exercised creativity is grossly ignored and left out of consideration when we pack our gear bags to head out and make some images.

Reflecting on these four points outlined above prepares you for a forecasted release of the angst and isometric stress in the process of struggle over camera gear that matters so little to the final photographic result. Simply apply photography basics to the scene before you. Learn and know your preferred tools well and enjoy the sheer and simple process of creating images that imbue your sense of insight and feeling of the world around you into an image that matters.


FC