Developing your photographic style – the necessary photo gear
A constant debate that I see online is whether a specific piece of equipment is justifiable. And whether it is justifiable in terms of a business decision. The discussion typically centers around something like the eternal, “What will the 85mm f1.2 give me that the 85mm f1.8 won’t? And is it worth $1000 more?”
But I feel that in phrasing the question like that, the real effects that equipment choice have on our style are disregarded. I firmly believe that:
Style should always be evolving, borne from our choices and not from our limitations.
And those limitations are quite often our equipment choice. Cameras with higher ISO capability. Faster AF. Faster lenses. More sophisticated lighting.
So does it bring more business? That I can’t say – but I do know that using the very very best equipment does affect how I shoot, and does affect my results. It also directly affects my confidence during a shoot – and therefore during client meetings. I know I can pull it off, no matter what is thrown at me during a shoot. I have the skills and the equipment.
These two images from a wedding in Melbourne, Australia, I was working in the 2500 – 3200 ISO range on my Nikon D4 bodies. Pretty much clean high-ISO images – which is necessary when shooting the romantic portraits.
I could’ve used fast primes instead of going higher on the ISO … but still emphasizes my point that you need proper photo gear when shooting in challenging situations. The lighting here was with a handheld video light that one of the groomsmen held for me, just outside the frame.
Using fast optics and responsive cameras that have a very usable high iso, I’ve able to change the way I use light, compared to earlier years. And in these choices, I’ve been able to bring out images that looks different than it would’ve with other equipment. I like these results much more than what I would’ve been able to get with equipment of lesser spec.
Sometimes the change in specifications and abilities of new photo gear appear incremental, but add all those small increments up … and you will find that current photo gear now allow you to achieve results you weren’t able to before.
The question remains however – does it bring more business? I don’t know if there is a direct correlation. In a sense the question becomes a trivial one for me … because right now, I am doing work I absolutely love, at a level I would never have dreamed of years ago when I started with a Nikon D100. And if using the very best equipment adds to that enjoyment – well, I only have this one life to live.
This leads me to another point. Right now, with an arsenal of fast prime lenses and workhorse f/2.8 zooms, the only limitations in my photography are my own. I certainly can not blame my equipment and say that, “If only I had *that* lens, I could’ve pulled the shots out of the hat.”
Right now, my limitations are my own. And that is a challenging boundary to be at.
How is that for a business decision?
Related articles
- Wedding photography – Developing a personal style
- When style, technique & choice of gear converge
- Wedding photography – a photo-journalistic style, or more posed?
- Best lenses for wedding photography
i, too, see these debates. i agree with you.
i ALSO believe that the most useful thing a photographer can do is practice. the best equipment in the world will not take a beautifully exposed image if you don’t know how to use it.
:)
>>>Now add all those small increments up … and you will find the equipment now allows you to achieve results you weren’t able to before.
“Right now, my limitations are my own.”
Brilliant stuff Neil! I honestly hold this same belief. I find it really pushes me to always try to impove my ability regardless of my equipment.
I often find the limits of my equipment an inspiration. Before I could afford a flash I illuminate still-lifes and scenes with cheap 500W halogen lamps like they are used on construction sites. Until today I still like the warm but hard light from these lamps.
First of all I have to thank Neil for share with us his experience
I believe in having the best equipment for the job will
allow me the best result.
Unfortunately I do have my limitations
and I have to work with them and do the best with what I have at the moment.
I found that having faith, positive attitude and not
complaining because I can’t afford this lense or this flash etc.
make me not only a better photographer but a better person.
I always try to concentrate and be thank full for what I have.
Pulling out jobs and doing my best is how I can save money and how day by day I can afford better and more expensive equipments.
I totally agree with Neil that we live only once in this life, so if you can get a f1.2, treat yourself a f1.2 even though it cost so much more than the f1.8.
But I don’t blame other who would still prefer the f1.8, because not everyone so crazy about photography as I do.
Thx for the article, very interesting to read. :)