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01/25/2013 12:19:46 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by Devinder:
You can't get around the fact that each bit of equipment has certain things it can do well compared to others.
When you throw profession into the mix, you need your equipment to be your friend, and the better you have given a budget, the more time and attention real estate can be allocated to getting those shots to look like you (and of course the client) want them to...
All that said, the more time you spend with a piece of equipment, the more likely you are to be comfortable with its abilities.
I wouldn't be stuck on the idea of using the same equipment to "master" it unless mastering that specific piece of equipment was my goal. |
I (and I think everybody, including Weston) would agree with your first point. But the second point argues in favor of the quote, since you perhaps shouldn't take concepts/jobs you don't fully understand how to realize. Going further, to please your client, you are required to understand what it is capable of, IE master it. If you haven't a clue what lenses accomplish what, do you really anticipate pleasing your client? Your GOAL should be knowing your equipment to fulfill the job. If you think that means using P for professional and whatever lens you pull out of your bag, okay, but don't expect it to end well... |
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01/25/2013 02:18:51 PM · #27 |
i think i m doing a poor job of conveying my thoughts. One should never go into a job not knowing the equipment, on that we agree. Even if i m looking to try a relatively new technique with a client, i'll practice it several times first.
I'll use an example to convey what i meant:
Both the 60d and the 5dmkiii have served me very well, and I've used both on assignments. I do cover indoor event work sometimes though, and I prefer to stay away from using a heavy flash + assistant.
If i try to use the 60d for an evening party, I get grainy images that, with some work can be made to be very good. In fact, my LR process automatically detects camera settings and applies basic adjustments so its not a BIG deal. Still, I can get cleaner pics with the 5d mkiii, its being a friend. The 5dmkiii also allows me greater control over certain things like focus. With the 60d, I was pretty used to using my center point to get my focus reliably and then reframe to shoot. The newer focus system on the 5dmkiii allows me to skip this step and just focus with the joystick.
You can get the job done either way, but i believe the 5dmkiii is a superior product for the job. It helps things get done just a bit better and quicker, so you can focus more of your eye time to look around for shooting opportunities. Maybe the 1dx would be better still, but its out of budget range, so not on my radar.
I am in favor of the equipment that makes sense for the job, but i think that mastery of the instrument may not be as important as understanding what you need to do and how to go about it. I m very comfortable with my camera, but i still haven't really programmed my C3 because i don't have use for it, maybe as i learn more about my own process, i will. I also rarely use the in-camera editing options, maybe in time i'll grow to need them - infact i m hoping to use that on the run to visually convey an idea (if i can) in the future. I don't think my focus should be on using the ability to shoot a 7 shot hdr until i get to an idea that i think needs it. Be assured that I'd practice it several times before trying to sell a client on said idea. The same train of thought applies to my photoshop skills, I generally learn how to edit to get results i find interesting. I may not be an expert on every function in that program, but I am proficient in every tool i feel i need.
A lot of skills also carry over between equipment. As i started to swap lenses on trips, i got quicker at it, the same skill carried over when i started doing some event work. I use two bodies for big assignments now, but if i need to swap a lens quickly still, i can do it regardless of the camera i m working with. I've optimized my equipment to do this quicker (a swap friendly lens holder, allows me to skip the sit down or fiddling with my camera bag). I can certainly live without it, but i m relatively inefficient without it. Its got a smaller footprint, and it speeds my jobs up. if i were by myself on a personal project, i wouldn't care if i take that or my bag with me, but being more efficient at the job allows for more focus on the creative bits.
I ended up writing a lot more than I thought i wouldâ€Â¦ that might bite me later ..lol
Message edited by author 2013-01-25 15:00:43. |
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