The other day I posted the above photo to Instagram. I quite often have light hearted conversations with people about whether or not it’s ok to put chrome lenses on black cameras… of course it makes no difference, but some people find it offends their aesthetic sensibilities.
I expected this topic to be the primary message in the responses, but what actually happened was a lot of people telling me that “the camera doesn’t matter, it’s the photos taken with it that counts”. Of course, on many levels I am aware of this… if for no other reason than that I’ve had this nugget of wisdom shared with me something in the region of 10,000 times over the last 5 years…
This particular bout of people sharing their wisdom pushed me over the edge… so I made a video in response:
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Simon Forster on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Johnnie Rogers on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Michael D Carey on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
I feel similarly about audio equipment, enjoying aspects of that hobby that go beyond just base music reproduction.
This same phenomenon occurs with autos, watches, smartphones, and really any object that can be appreciated as a mechanical and/or electrical device. What we're talking about is Product Design, including the performance spec sheet, but going beyond to consider subjective attributes of user experience.
Mike Carey
Georgia, USA
Mike on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
What camera did you shoot that with? Nah, doesn't matter does it.
Kevin Thomas on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
"it's not the camera, it's the photo". Obvious, and meaningless, as long as a camera is involved in taking a picture. Anyone who makes that pronouncement should be given an old box camera to shoot.
Nigel Cliff on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
paul snaith on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Cheyenne Morrison on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
It’s like comparing driving a Toyota Prius to work vs taking the coast road in California in a vintage convertible. Both technically driving, but one is more memorable and enjoyable because of the beauty and craftsmanship of the vehicle.
You can probably take nice photos with a plastic point and shoot, but creating photos with a beautiful vintage camera and lens is a holistic experience. The feel, the smell, the history, the aesthetics, the hours of hunting it took to find that one camera arre all wrapped up into the experience of taking the photo.
Vintage cameras and lenses are such beautiful artifacts, handling them is like having a tiny time machine, transporting you back to a time before designed obsolescence, when people didn’t see creating things as a job, but a craft. Their craftsmanship imbues these lovely artifacts of an earlier time with soul.
All the great guitarist want a vintage Gibson, violinists want a Stradivarius, so why should Photographers look upon the the tools of our trade as mere tools, they are far more than that; or should be.
Cal Stewart on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
However, cameras vary greatly in how they allow the photographer to operate. This is particularly the case with film cameras. Rangefinders, modular slr's or view cameras are all distinct. And that is to say nothing about format and aspect ratio. None of these things will make you a better photographer necessarily, however they will change the way that you make images. I strongly believe that. I also dare say that most of the people who leave the comment "it's not the camera, it's the photographer" haven't considered what a different type of camera might do for their photography.
If you accept that photography is an Art, and you also accept that Art (for the artist) is as much about a process as it is the result, then if you change the nature of the tools that you use to make that Art, you can change the Art itself. 35mm and 4x5 are as distinct from one another as oil on canvas and watercolours. If people can't see that, then stuff 'em.
George Feucht on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
The only sad aside to this is a recent experience I had: I met a couple who had a beautiful M3 with 50 rigid 'cron attached. It was on a display shelf. I told them how beautiful and what great shape it was in. The wife said it was her father's camera and he passed away years ago. Suddenly I realized that this camera had been reduced to a decorative memorial. It would never have a roll of film through it again. I told her to shoot some film in the spirit of her father and keep that beautiful camera going. I was met with a blank look and "Oh. But I have to put film in it, right?"
I have to say that your design on your M3 repaint is perfect. As I said on Instagram, I love the chrome trim on the body and how it complements a silver lens. That is why it works in this case. It works even better when the lens has black accents, like the Canon 1.4.
Marco Andres on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Do people say
It’s not the paintbrush/canvas/paints that make the painting…
It’s obvious that among other things the tools and their choice certainly influence/constrain the work. Yes, it’s the “image”, not the tools that <> to the viewer at <>. Not needing to know the specific tools used doesn’t mean they don’t matter. Tools are extraneous; the work depends on them. For the art-historian/critic the tools/techniques matter.
Paul Rice on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
Rob Jamieson on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
I loved your thoughts on this.
I don't think I've ever thought this deeply about the difference between the interest in photography and a separate interest in cameras. It's such a personal thing, these things we're interested in. The odd thing is people projecting their point of view onto you which says volumes about them and has very little to do with you as a photographer and camera lover. If you extend this line of thinking further there are (possibly) people who out there who love cameras but don't love taking photographs (collectors). And there seem to be people who try and minimize their gear or just shoot with one camera and concentrate solely on making photographs (Eric Kim, Wouter Brandsma, my wife and her iphone, etc.) It's interesting to break it down into two separate but related passions. I've always been interested in how cameras work. My father was an engineer and took archival photographs as part of his job. He was very technical about cameras. He was fascinated by how they work. I inherited that bug from him. Hence, there are some cameras I have, both digital and analogue, that I use a lot for shooting (my Rx1r for digital, my Pentax LX, Yashica T5 and Pentax 645 for film). But I also have some cameras that I love and that I don't really shoot very often (a Fuji GL690 and a junk store Minolta Autocord, for instance). I probably take more pride in the autocord than any other camera that I own because I found it for a steal and nursed it back to life even though, as s a camera in my stable it doesn't get used by a thosuandth compared to the ones that are always in my bag, but as an object of design, an object of art, an object of history and as a mechanical tool it's probably my favorite camera because it's just so weird and cool. Taking a camera in hand and a photo of another camera you love seems like the most natural thing in the world. We shoot the things we're interested in. What we shoot is a reflection of our interests and in some sense a reflection of who we are. Some people look at a picture of a camera and if they see a lump of metal, plastic and glass, well...that's ok. some of us see seeds of wonder. What is that? How does it work? Where did it come from? Who made it? How did they build it? How is it similar and how is it different to other things like it? What could I do with that? It doesn't have to be GAS to be interested in cameras. I love looking at what other people in other parts of the world are shooting with. I'm endlessly fascinated. lots and lots of us are. The weird thing is why on earth would somebody tell you what to think of something that you're passionate about? I would never in a million years comment in that way on someone's post about cookware or model airplanes or knitting needles or automobiles. Sorry for rambling on here a bit. Love your site and your work (and all the pictures of cameras you post for us!) best, Rob J
Stu = on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 17/07/2018
JoeVC on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
Malcolm Myers on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
Photography has always been a two-sided hobby for me; both art and industrial design. Yes, you do need to know about composition and light and that sort of thing. But I love cameras as mechanical works of art, with levers and knobs and buttons. I enjoy having lots of cameras, it allows me to choose what I want to achieve and then select the right tool: SLR, compact, medium format? For me, the explosion of sales of digital cameras over the past fifteen years proves that, for most people, having 8MP is better than 6MP, and having 10 MP is better than 8MP, and so on. In other words, the camera definitely does count!
And If you enjoy different cameras you take them out more, and that way you become a better photographer anyway.
Don't worry about it Hamish, I think your critics are suffering from what Shakespeare described as, "the lady doth protest too much".
Blinx on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
Photography is a broad church, best exemplified by two Japanese photographers. Daido Moriyama claims to have never bought a camera, he used whatever compact camera friends gave him. Nobuyoshi Araki on the other hand, uses a different camera for almost every project. Cameras matter to people they matter to.
Wayne Carey on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
Karl Valentin on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
I battled ignorance for a long time, also before internet and I just learned
to just give a shit about opinions of other people.
Why should you care too ? Keep on going on with what makes you happy !
If you compare photography with cooking - sure there are some who just
see the dish as result but for others things start with going on the market
picking out the right pan and finishing all on the right plate......because they
like the whole process !
When I start a new project I have "the picture" I want to take in my mind
and the second step ist to find out how to get it and what technics are needed.
I get excited finding a new way and a new camera or lens to come close to my idea
and of course this is half the fun - so why not enjoy it ?
Keep this in mind.......
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
George Appletree on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
DMR on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
I think it's great you enjoy photography and cameras. I personally enjoy both as well. However, I think this video is a bit much. If people keep posting that the camera is no more than a box, great. You shouldn't worry about. You can buy an expensive watch or an Apple watch, or a cheap digital watch. All 3 tell time, but cost vastly different. Will everyone appreciate the expensive one - nope. But, there is obviously a market for someone to appreciate it, or otherwise, the manufacturer wouldn't be in the business of making expensive watches. So, it doesn't matter if someone does or does not appreciate your enjoyment of both cameras and photography as mutually exclusive.
You say this as much in the video at the 4:00 minute mark, that what they say doesn't bother you ("who cares really?"). And that's the point of this, as commentators above have said, you seem almost tearful or frustrated in the video, so you do care. It just makes this video too much for me. Hope you get past what anybody with an iPhone or keyboard happens to think about your hobbies. Best Regards!
Comment posted: 18/07/2018
Jason T on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 19/07/2018
Finn Calander on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 19/07/2018
Evan Bedford on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 20/07/2018
Yarkozelen on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 20/07/2018
Charles Vernon Watson on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 22/07/2018
Charles Vernon Watson on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 22/07/2018
Blinx on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 23/07/2018
This is partly practical as I use a lot of film and don't take more care of gear than absolutely necessary. It certainly isn't cosseted and it's a rare camera that doesn't get a chip, ding or scratch soon after it comes into my hands. Thinking that I'd just taken £1k off its value would seriously inhibit its use.
I adopt the same approach to cars and most other things. Rubber mats, good, carpets not so good. No computer on board, even better. Painted metal dashboard and a single speedo, best of all. I give cameras a lot of thought before I buy them, so ideally I'll never have to give them another conscious thought afterwards.
Reflections on Experiencing an Attack of Anti-GAS - By Dan Marinelli - 35mmc on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 11/08/2018
Matt Byrne on I’m a photographer, and I like cameras – why is that not ok? (Video)
Comment posted: 19/08/2018
Of course it’s about the camera, you aren’t taking wildlife photos with 28mm fixed focal length compacts for the same reason you’re not using 400mm white glass for landscapes. The gear matters, it has to matter and there is absolutely nothing wrong with liking it. Sure, it’s a tool. Who said you can’t enjoy the tool, anyway? If you didn’t have the tool, you’d have no image at all, so you might as well enjoy using the damn thing.