Full Version: Canon EOS 5D/DSLR Discussion

From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#55]
 19 May 2006
To: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#54] 19 May 2006

I have an interesting story in that vein. My father is a professional travel photographer. He was at an annual convention a couple of years ago (might have been the Society of American Travel Writers). They handed out cheap drugstore disposable cameras to a couple dozen photographers and set them loose for the afternoon. At the end of the day they collected the cameras and took them to a local 1 hour processor. They then enlarged them and put them on exhibit for the final day of the convention.

Many of the images were simply amazing, and most people, even many of the photographers, couldn't believe they had come from disposable cameras. It just proves what you are saying. The eye of the photographer is often more important than the equipment.

From: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#56]
 19 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#55] 20 May 2006

Right Dave.

How that translates here for the pro engraver/commercial image maker is that you need to have an eye for composition.

But the 'average Joe' in this industry would like a digital point and shoot camera similar to what your dad used at that event, one that produces a good image with little effort. Wouldn't we all? But that's not possible really with respect to commercially viable imagry.

No disrespect intended, but the experiment you described didn't really produce high end commercial images. It showcased that a few talented photographers could use any camera and make a nice looking snapshot.

The rest of us I'm afraid still need discipline and a good understanding of photography if we want to work with photographs on a commercially viable level.

EDITED: 19 May 2006 by BIGPIXEL

From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#57]
 20 May 2006
To: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#56] 20 May 2006

You're right. I guess my point was that many people blame their lack of high end equipment for the poor photos they take. The high end equipment will give them higher technical quality (resolution, noise, etc...) but they could still end up taking the same out of focus, poorly lit, poorly framed photos they were getting with their old cameras. (I'm not speaking of anybody in particular in this thread, I'm speaking in generalities)

From: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#58]
 20 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#57] 20 May 2006

Agreed Dave, and the reason we should hammer it out here.

Its really not rocket science but there is a lot to making a properly exposed image that we can discuss. As to having an inate eye for composition and knowing when to trip the shutter, well.....that's inate. ;-) 

From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#59]
 20 May 2006
To: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#58] 20 May 2006

Yeah, there's nothing like having that "eye", but there is a lot that can be learned about composition and lighting that are fairly simple. A couple of classic styles of each (and breaking a couple of common bad habits) can make a big difference in the average product shot.

From: Mike (BIGPIXEL) [#60]
 20 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#59] 20 May 2006

I really look forward to your contributions here Dave.

Mahalo.

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