2012-01-28

Camera Thoughts

There are a lot of recurring themes in photographic discussion, but the classic may be "the camera doesn't matter." The essential argument is that talent/skill/ability is what's important, and once that requirement is met 'all you need is a disposable, toy camera or a camera phone to create great work.'

Poppycock.

Of course technical proficiency doesn't mean that there's anything of value being created. But the assertion that great artwork can be done with inferior tools skirts the reality that artists typically use the best tools that they can. Yes, of course it can be done, but the point is to use the correct tool.


I've been learning a lot about the importance of cameras from my 'time and motion' project. The images themselves have very little detail and a limited tonal range, and certainly don't stress the equipment at all. So far I've taken these images with three different cameras, ranging from small format film and digital to medium format film, and I suppose a disposable toy camera would work as well.

But these simple photos are created from long exposures with impromptu setup, and it's the camera that's moving, not the subject. It's an unusual situation with unexpected requirements, and choosing the right camera has become an integral part of the creative process. The exposure controls, format, and even the weight of the camera change the results in subtle ways that can't always be predicted, and they certainly can't be synthesized.

But neither can meaning.


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