It happened to me again, recently. Someone liked one of my pictures and asked what kind of camera I use. I happily replied with information about the camera used and also added in a few other tidbits. The questioner seemed satisfied and all was well.
Far too often on the web, I’ve seen photographers get combative when asked the same question. I’m sure you’ve all heard some variation of *the* photographer’s response to the “what kind of camera” question at one point or another: “You’re a great cook, you must have a nice stove,” or “You’re a good writer, you must have a great pen.” Honestly, it’s come to the point that such responses make my eyes roll even more than their eyes roll when they get the camera question.
Look, I get it. You’ve put years and years of effort into learning your craft. Just the same as the clichéd chef has with cooking and the writer with writing. I’m not debating that. I’m not saying that the most important piece of equipment isn’t directly behind the camera. It is. Ever since the days of daguerreotypes, if the photographer wasn’t a capable artist, it didn’t matter what kind of equipment was used. Pictures can be lousy with the very best equipment known without the requisite artistic skill.
But, I also think it’s disingenuous to dismiss equipment wholesale. Yes, I’m sure that *insert your favorite photographer here* could use a box camera and come away with art. But only in certain situations. Diverse equipment allows for more diverse photos. While I’m sure that some manner of appealing photo could be taken with a box camera at a dimly lit jazz venue, using a DSLR and a fast telephoto allowed me to get this shot of Grammy nominated trombonist, John Fedchock:
Many of the cameras in my stable have specific purposes. My 8×10 view camera, my Nikon D800 and my YashicaMat LM are all wonderful cameras but they all serve different roles for me. They are tools that I enjoy using. Each allows my creativity to flow in a different direction. I’m sure every master chef has cooking utensils (and maybe even a stove!) that he/she enjoys using while prepping meals. I know for a fact that using a beautiful pen makes me want to write more. I’m sure your mechanic has a line of specialty tools for repairing your car. Etc. Etc.
So next time someone asks you about what camera you use, don’t be offended. They’re curious. Share with them what you use but feel free to add details about what it does that allows you to get the photo that they have admired enough to inquire about. If the conversation goes further, feel free to share some tips about composition or light or any of the other nuances that make special photos special. It’ll benefit them and you’ll walk around more balanced without the big chip on your shoulder. 🙂