Yet Another Rant about Photography and Technology
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by Thomas in Blog, Photography
It never ceases to amaze me how some Photographers over react every time a new piece of equipment comes out that looks set to cause a shake up in the industry. Take yesterday’s introduction of Sony’s mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras. By all accounts these new cameras look like they could be pretty amazing. They’re tiny and yet pack the punch of a full size DSLR. Yet, some Photographers were quick to pooh pooh them on their blogs without ever having used or seen one. The argument boils down to the usual one that is trotted out when someone talks about new gear: that if you’re into new technology you’re not a real photographer. That the camera you have is perfectly fine and if you want the latest thing you’re just a gadget head and don’t deserve to be considered “one of us”.
Of course there is usually a level of hypocrisy behind those arguments. I recall two recent exchanges from so called professionals who decried the lust for new technology. Yet both of these photographers constantly talk about new gear on their blog and one in particular (I won’t name names) is constantly talking about their latest high end purchase. Yet when someone who is not a brand name photog talks up the virtues of a new camera on their blog or in a forum they are set upon by the same people for whom it’s fine to talk about new gear. So what gives?
I think it all boils down to a degree of elitism. Some people who like to consider themselves photographers (not necessarily actual pros) are protective of their little corner of the creative world. Being a “photographer” is their identity and they don’t like it when others get too close to their niche. The continuing push of digital camera technology has brought more and more people into the world of photography and the old school feel threatened by that. I think many photographers are subconsciously afraid that the more people with digital cameras the less special their skill becomes. I’m reminded of that great line from “The Incredibles” : “If everyone is super, then no one is”.
Sure, having a good camera is not going to make you a good photographer, but it’s also not going to make you a bad one. Sure it’s annoying if someone goes out and buys a DSLR and starts to call themselves a photographer with no skill or experience what so ever. That is very annoying, but it’s not the technology’s fault. If someone is into photography and they also happen to like technology then so what? Without technology there would be no photography. I’m sure when 35mm SLR’s first came out all the people with rangefinders and medium format cameras were equally damning. They just didn’t have blogs to rant from.
I love photography. I love the art, but I also love the technology. Does that make me a bad Photographer? I don’t think so. I don’t think my skill as a photographer has anything to do with my interest in the technology. I have no problem with people who’ve just bought a digital camera becoming interested in the art. The more the merrier. Perhaps rater tan belittling them, other photographers should make more of an effort to reach out and educate about what makes a good photograph. Some would argue that being a good photographer is about the person behind the camera, not the camera, and that’s absolutely true. That argument however, is also a double edged sword. Having the latest newest camera in no way makes the person behind the viewfinder or LCD a bad photographer.
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Good post.
Agreed completely. The better the technology gets, the better. The more people it brings into photography, the better. I didn’t get into this career for the money, I got in because I have a passion for beauty. I love taking beautiful photos and I love looking at them too. If some new technology enables someone who has never taken a photo before to shoot something that amazes me, I welcome that.