Why do photographers keep asking me this question?

Oliver Pohlmann

Oliver Pohlmann

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Hi guys,

I have a YouTube channel and photography tutorials website which has its fair number of subscribers etc. On a daily basis, the question I get asked most from them is "what camera do you use?".

This really frustrates me, as I see it having little relevance. Is it a belief that if they use the same camera, they will be able to replicate the same quality of work?
If there is a photographer whose work I admire, my questions to them would be regarding their lenses, lighting technique, method of composition, retouching process etc.
The camera model, to me, is completely irrelevant.

What's your take on this?
 
It is a question I might ask If a shot would seem to be outside the capabilities of any camera I have owned.
Or one with so many quality issues that there must be a reason why they were introduced. (holga)
 
Having just been to lecture by Sean Conboy he was very open with what equipment he used and why he used it. I think people want to know these questions. I agree that maybe you should say what's in your bag
 
blakester said:
Why not have a "whats in the bag?" type tab or page which describes the kit you use then viewers can see without having to ask the question?
Click to expand...
This. It's a very good idea.

And I think it's a totally relevant question... as far as your viewers are concerned. To you, it's not, because of your experience, knowledge and capabilities. But to your viewers, who are more than likely not in the same place as you, a lot probably just starting their photographic journey, it's a very valid question, for them.
 
Why have a photography tutorial website and then get frustrated when people who are learning ask a question which they think is relevant?
Explain somewhere that the camera is not important, that the camera settings could be, that the lens could be, and that the lighting, composition, viewpoint, subject, timing etc. are the things which make the picture what it is.
 
I can see your point Oliver. I think you could be correct in that some who question you might believe if they had the same camera their photography would improve. However, that is going to happen; its part of the, "That looks like an expensive camera, I bet it takes great pictures" train of thought.

There will be times when the camera is important. A particular camera might have better low light capability, wider dymanic range; or if there is a need to make a very large print but as often commented on in threads on here, a lot of the time, the body is not all that important.

However, as you are making photography tutorials, it is something you are going to get asked and on the plus side it does give you the opening put your point in your reply.

I agree a "What's in the bag is a good idea" as is saying somewhere that there are other more important aspoects to photography.

You could do a tutorial about the whole "what camera do you have" thing.

Dave
 
I think a lot of the time they are looking for reassurance that they stand a chance (in time maybe and with lots more learning) of creating work of a similar standard with whatever gear they've already got

If your answer was "Hasselblad 60mp camera as nothing else comes close" then they'd know they are unlikely to ever achieve the same results; but if you say you're using a mid-range DSLR and lens combo costing under £1000 then they know they can remove "He has better gear" from their reasons why you're photos are better, yet still give them the hope of achieving similar with better knowledge

Dave
 
probably because they're actually camera enthusiasts rather than photographers ?

(nothing wrong with that, before everyone gets the tar and feathers out - this place would be very quiet without them, and I'll admit to a certain amount of hardware geekery (mainly film related and nostalgia driven) myself... but ultimately, I realised long, long, long ago that a camera was just a light tight box with some knobs on it, and that people make photographs, not cameras...)
 
Thanks for the replies.

I guess my frustration comes from the fact that "What camera are you using?" tends to be the only question they ask. I could understand if they asked this as part of a wider set of questions, but it comes across that they believe this to be the sole factor in creating my images.


blakester said:
Why not have a "whats in the bag?" type tab or page which describes the kit you use then viewers can see without having to ask the question?
Click to expand...

That's a good idea. At the moment I'm copying and pasting the same answer to each person.


LonerMatt said:
Why get annoyed by curiosity? It shows engagement and enthusiasm.
Click to expand...

I agree, it does show engagement and curiosity and I'm happy to answer any questions from photographers wanting to learn - hence why I set up the website and YouTube channel. I only get annoyed because I would expect more questions regarding technique, lighting and retouching rather than what camera model I use.


Suvv said:
Why have a photography tutorial website and then get frustrated when people who are learning ask a question which they think is relevant?
Explain somewhere that the camera is not important, that the camera settings could be, that the lens could be, and that the lighting, composition, viewpoint, subject, timing etc. are the things which make the picture what it is.
Click to expand...

It's fine if they think the question is relevant, and I'll always tell them courteously. It doesn't mean I understand the relevance of my camera model though - particularly when this is the only question they're asking me. As part of a wider conversation, then yes.


Tringa said:
I can see your point Oliver. I think you could be correct in that some who question you might believe if they had the same camera their photography would improve. However, that is going to happen; its part of the, "That looks like an expensive camera, I bet it takes great pictures" train of thought. There will be times when the camera is important. A particular camera might have better low light capability, wider dymanic range; or if there is a need to make a very large print but as often commented on in threads on here, a lot of the time, the body is not all that important. However, as you are making photography tutorials, it is something you are going to get asked and on the plus side it does give you the opening put your point in your reply.
Dave
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Haha, I get that a lot. About a week ago when a client said "I was going to do the photos myself because I've recently bought a nice camera too". Had to bite my tongue.


DG Phototraining said:
I think a lot of the time they are looking for reassurance that they stand a chance (in time maybe and with lots more learning) of creating work of a similar standard with whatever gear they've already got

If your answer was "Hasselblad 60mp camera as nothing else comes close" then they'd know they are unlikely to ever achieve the same results; but if you say you're using a mid-range DSLR and lens combo costing under £1000 then they know they can remove "He has better gear" from their reasons why you're photos are better, yet still give them the hope of achieving similar with better knowledge

Dave
Click to expand...

Great point. Hadn't thought of it in terms of them wanting reassurance that similar results are achievable. I guess my frustration with 75% of questions being related to my camera model was me assuming they believe if they had the same, their photos would suddenly improve.
 
Perhaps the reply to, ".... , I bet it takes great pictures.", should be, "It was expensive and it never takes even rubbish pictures; but I try my best".:)

A quote attributed to Ansel Adams comes to mind - "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it"

Dave
 
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And if they are beginners, they won't know what they don't know (sorry Donald R) or the differences that can exist between lenses (and a bunch of other stuff) and the most obvious thing is the camera itself; at our club, speakers always seem to tell us and there is the usual Canon v Nikon banter which will, no doubt, soon be a broader thing as CSCs get better and better. Although I think sport and actin will take a bit longer to match but who knows!
 
It's how folks new to photography think so you'll always get asked that. I ended up dedicating a whole page of my blog to outline my equipment and update it regularly and that dealt with that.

That said, if you look at any equipment forum, especially ones like DPReview, you'll see amateur photographers constantly clamouring for and fighting about the latest and greatest cameras, often long before they've even been announced. Many who frequent the various channels and forums often don't really like photography but they do like cameras (and lenses). :D
 
Tringa said:
A quote attributed to Ansel Adams comes to mind - "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it"
Click to expand...
I've been using my camera wrong all this time, I've been holding it to my eye. If it needs twelve inches behind it I'll start shooting from the waist!! :exit:
 
blakester said:
Why not have a "whats in the bag?" type tab or page which describes the kit you use then viewers can see without having to ask the question?
Click to expand...

For that to work, the kit list needs to fill the whole of the front page otherwise people won't see it, however obvious it might seem! (Mrs Nod's site has a clearly marked SCHEDULE tab so people can see at a glance what classes are available. The classes are all annotated as to their suitability for assorted levels of competence and as to whether they're drop in or book in advance courses. She still gets several phone calls a day asking if there are any classes and if they're OK to drop in as a beginner. It's harder to find her phone number/e-mail address than the schedule!)

-Rob- said:
I've been using my camera wrong all this time, I've been holding it to my eye. If it needs twelve inches behind it I'll start shooting from the waist!! :exit:
Click to expand...

Surely AA shot plate cameras so the 12" behind the camera was fresh air? (Or cloth!)
 
Ramalama said:
Why do you use a 5dmk3?

If the camera is irrelevant then why don't you use a 1200d?
Surely anything above that is just a waste of money.
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He said to him the camera is irrelevant when he sees and asks questions about a photographer he admires.
That is not saying the camera is irrelevant in the production of commercial work, that is saying Oliver feels (correctly) that he would not learn anything from knowing what the camera used for a shot is.
 
Ramalama said:
Why do you use a 5dmk3?

If the camera is irrelevant then why don't you use a 1200d?
Surely anything above that is just a waste of money.
Click to expand...

Higher resolution than a 1200D and my 60D, twin memory card slots to ensure back up of all images on location, ability to use EF and prime lenses at their correct equivalent focal range, full frame sensor for better image quality when viewed in higher resolution and in print media.

None of these factors are particularly relevant when someone is viewing my web resolution images on the internet though.
 
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Just pick a random camera make each time. Like the cheapest one you can think of. Or make up your own fictional camera. Like a "Hasselhof".

The reason the question is annoying is that it implies that that is the reason for your good results. Not you and your technique.
 
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Oliver Pohlmann said:
Higher resolution than a 1200D and my 60D, twin memory card slots to ensure back up of all images on location, ability to use EF and prime lenses at their correct equivalent focal range, full frame sensor for better image quality when viewed in higher resolution and in print media.

None of these factors are particularly relevant when someone is viewing my web resolution images on the internet though.
Click to expand...

They aren't viewing your images though, it's a tutorial for them to learn how to take better pictures, and surely the camera is relevant for the reasons you've just mentioned. It might not be the most relevant, but if you haven't got the correct tools for the job you'll never be able to achieve the best results.
 
Ramalama said:
They aren't viewing your images though, it's a tutorial for them to learn how to take better pictures, and surely the camera is relevant for the reasons you've just mentioned. It might not be the most relevant, but if you haven't got the correct tools for the job you'll never be able to achieve the best results.
Click to expand...

They are viewing my images. In fact it's probably my images which give most credibility to my tutorials. You wouldn't adhere to a tutorial if the showcased photos were naff.
 
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ianp5a said:
The reason the question is annoying is that it implies that that is the reason for your good results. Not you and your technique.
Click to expand...

Exactly. If it was one of a series of questions in order to get a better understanding of my work, then fair enough. But as a sole question implying that the camera model is the only factor is frustrating.
 
Oliver Pohlmann said:
Exactly. If it was one of a series of questions in order to get a better understanding of my work, then fair enough. But as a sole question implying that the camera model is the only factor is frustrating.
Click to expand...

Maybe your tutorials are so good that the only question left to ask that you haven't already covered is 'what camera do you use'

:)
 
On the other
Oliver Pohlmann said:
Hi guys,

I have a YouTube channel and photography tutorials website which has its fair number of subscribers etc. On a daily basis, the question I get asked most from them is "what camera do you use?".

This really frustrates me, as I see it having little relevance. Is it a belief that if they use the same camera, they will be able to replicate the same quality of work?
If there is a photographer whose work I admire, my questions to them would be regarding their lenses, lighting technique, method of composition, retouching process etc.
The camera model, to me, is completely irrelevant.

What's your take on this?
Click to expand...

Reminds me of the time I decided to convert myself to digital photography and joined some camera clubs. I bought a second hand Sony R1 bridge camera to give me a year or two to learn the digital ropes and make up my mind which system to go for. Some photographers took an interest in my photographs until they found out I was using a toy camera made by a TV manufacturer. I didn't see any improvement in my photographs when I eventually bought a DSLR. But they did. "Aha, see you've got yourself a proper camera at last!" they said, admiring the improvement in IQ.
 
ianp5a said:
Just pick a random camera make each time. Like the cheapest one you can think of. Or make up your own fictional camera. Like a "Hasselhof".

The reason the question is annoying is that it implies that that is the reason for your good results. Not you and your technique.
Click to expand...

Anyway of editing my exif on my files to show camera make as Hasselhof and the model as The Hof?
 
People always seem to think its the camera that takes a photograph rather than the photographer and his or her skills so maybe do a series showing how you can get great photographs from even the cheapest of camera's?
 
wave01 said:
Having just been to lecture by Sean Conboy he was very open with what equipment he used and why he used it. I think people want to know these questions. I agree that maybe you should say what's in your bag
Click to expand...


Top bloke. Known him for years. A genuine guy and a great architectural photographer. He does use very specific gear for very specific purposes though, and architectural imagery needs the movements, so it's important he gets that across. You would find it difficult to do what Sean does with a DSLR.

Having said that... ANY camera that allowed movements to correct perspective would be just as good.

So long as the it is appropriate for the job, the camera is irrelevant.
 
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The question about the camera used and supposition that "it" takes the picture reminds me of a story I think I recall of a guy who had a p&s camera and was so disappointed with the images he researched for the best images and found that the (thinks?) Nikon D4 was the best.

Then having the money bought one and then by all accounts complained bitterly & publicly that it took worse pictures than his aweful p&s. A case of more money than sense exacerbated by a complete lack of understanding of the basics of photography and image creation.

Based on the OP's statement in the case of a goodly number of "photographers" nothing has changed!
 
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