"all you need is a good camera"

lindsayperezphotography

lindsayperezphotography

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Edit My Images
Yes
What would say to someone who says " your photos are only good because of your camera" "all you need is a good camera"

Or

"why do you edit your photos thats just fake and it'd easy to take photos if you can edit them? "

Just a thought! I'm a young 15 year old photographer here is a link to my work lindsayperezphoto.co.uk I hope you guys like it!
 
In haste

Welcome to TP :)

The camera is but a tool, it is the user that takes the photograph. There has been much debate & discussion since the start of the photography about how much editing is too much editing.

For someone to refer to editing as creating a fake IMO knows nothing about photography, either from film days or now digital.

It is all about whether the editing is simply bringing out the beauty of the image that is subtle and engaging to those that manipulate an image to create something very different ~ neither is wrong.......................but both are edited, so in what way are either or both "fake"?

Would you tell a cook that the meal they have just served you is so good because they have a lovely set of pans? And that because they changed the raw ingredients to the finished cooked dish it is fake food ;)
 
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It would seem that you have an ability with portraits that goes well beyond just having a good camera (and also beyond your age) having looked at your site.

I would be interested to know if you had much help with the images on your site, since they cover a wide range of techniques and places beyond what one would expect someone aged 15 years and with only 2 years photography experience.
 
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Amongst other things a good camera can't:

- compose photographs
- drive itself to a scenic location
- set up lights
- pan after moving objects
- sense a 'moment' and know when to take the picture
- direct a sitter or a model
- choose the right lens for the occasion

etc.
 
ancient_mariner said:
It would seem that you have an ability with portraits that goes well beyond just having a good camera (and also beyond your age) having looked at your site.

I would be interested to know if you had much help with the images on your site, since they cover a wide range of techniques and places beyond what one would expect someone aged 15 years and with only 2 years photography experience.
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Hey! Thanks for taking a look at my work and thank you for your kind words.

Yes alot of my skills are self taught as I have just taught myself a lot of the things I use and have grown a huge understanding of my camera. I also run my website and image editing myself as well no help whatsoever

Lindsayperezphoto.co.uk
 
Box Brownie said:
In haste

Welcome to TP :)

The camera is but a tool, it is the user that takes the photograph. There has been much debate & discussion since the start of the photography about how much editing is too much editing.

For someone to refer to editing as creating a fake IMO knows nothing about photography, either from film days or now digital.

It is all about whether the editing is simply bringing out the beauty of the image that is subtle and engaging to those that manipulate an image to create something very different ~ neither is wrong.......................but both are edited, so in what way are either or both "fake"?

Would you tell a cook that the meal they have just served you is so good because they have a lovely set of pans? And that because they changed the raw ingredients to the finished cooked dish it is fake food ;)
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Yeah that's true u agree unless it is really manipulative when u edit I bring out the image to what I had it look like in my head before shooting
 
Will. Your original question has been covered, so I have nothing to add on that.

But what I will say is that the standard of your work for a 15yr old - and for someone who has only been taking photos for 2 years is very impressive. I think you are a name to watch. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
 
lindsayperezphotography said:
What would say to someone who says " your photos are only good because of your camera" "all you need is a good camera"
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It doesn't matter what camera I use my good photos are all down to one thing.
















Luck.:D
 
Metal God said:
Will. Your original question has been covered, so I have nothing to add on that.

But what I will say is that the standard of your work for a 15yr old - and for someone who has only been taking photos for 2 years is very impressive. I think you are a name to watch. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
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+1 ^

A quick thought ~ I see that you are charging for your work and have registered your own domain. Now, it was my understanding that no one under the age of 18 can enter into a contract ~ whatever it is:- domain buying, insurance ( i.e. kit, PL et al), wedding services etc. I hope you are well covered when it comes the the legal niceties of running your own business?
 
Metal God said:
Will. Your original question has been covered, so I have nothing to add on that.

But what I will say is that the standard of your work for a 15yr old - and for someone who has only been taking photos for 2 years is very impressive. I think you are a name to watch. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
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Hey metal gold,

Thanks so much man! I'm glad to hear you enjoying my work and your kind words really mean a lot. I've just been working hard to improve constantly!
 
Box Brownie said:
+1 ^

A quick thought ~ I see that you are charging for your work and have registered your own domain. Now, it was my understanding that no one under the age of 18 can enter into a contract ~ whatever it is:- domain buying, insurance ( i.e. kit, PL et al), wedding services etc. I hope you are well covered when it comes the the legal niceties of running your own business?
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Thank you!

Yes I am pretty sure I am not sure what all the complications are with it all any help would be appreciated just to Make sure I am. Covered
 
viewfromthenorth said:
Amongst other things a good camera can't:

- compose photographs
- drive itself to a scenic location
- set up lights
- pan after moving objects
- sense a 'moment' and know when to take the picture
- direct a sitter or a model
- choose the right lens for the occasion

etc.
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Not yet but they are working on it :D
 
lindsayperezphotography said:
Thank you!

Yes I am pretty sure I am not sure what all the complications are with it all any help would be appreciated just to Make sure I am. Covered
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As with all legal matters you really should consult a lawyer and not rely (other than experiences & 'what I do') on web forum advice
 
Kiwi Paul said:
Not yet but they are working on it :D
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lindsayperezphotography said:
It wouldn't surprise me If it soon did
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Well I personally would NOT want a camera that would do all that for me:)

And while a computer may be able to do the objective, algorithm based thinking to produced answers, they're not so good at asking questions, generating ideas, being creative, etc. The most interesting photographs are not always objective recordings of the scene in front of us, they are interpretations of things based on the preferences, ideas, experiences, attitudes and points of view of the photographer.
So I think we're a loooooong way off having a camera that could do all that for us!
 
lindsayperezphotography said:
What would say to someone who says " your photos are only good because of your camera" "all you need is a good camera"

Or

"why do you edit your photos thats just fake and it'd easy to take photos if you can edit them? "

Just a thought! I'm a young 15 year old photographer here is a link to my work lindsayperezphoto.co.uk I hope you guys like it!
Click to expand...

On comments that your/my camera does the work... don't waste your time on this, just say "You're right" and get on with your life and leave them to get on with theirs :D

On editing, I got my first camera when I was 10 but I was producing other art before that and still consider myself an artist who sometimes takes pictures :D

When taking pictures I have a number of choices including the option of capturing reality as accurately as I can but I also have the option of forgetting about accuracy and instead creating something else, maybe something nicer to look at?

There's (arguably) nothing new in photography, people have been editing pictures and arguing about fakery forever but IMO it's only a problem if there's any intent to deceive. Be honest and describe your end result honestly and who cares what some random heckler says.
 
When people compliment you on your gear, just say "thank you very much" as if it's a privilege to own it & move on. If people like your pictures it's something they will often say without thinking what their words really mean, or will describe a picture as being "really sharp" because they are amazed at the detail captured, completely missing* any creative intent within the image.

*Photographers do this to each other sometimes too, calling a picture "competently exposed" or similar.
 
Box Brownie said:
+1 ^

A quick thought ~ I see that you are charging for your work and have registered your own domain. Now, it was my understanding that no one under the age of 18 can enter into a contract ~ whatever it is:- domain buying, insurance ( i.e. kit, PL et al), wedding services etc. I hope you are well covered when it comes the the legal niceties of running your own business?
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The answer to that is ... its complicated ... the insurance is likely the main issue but will be down to the insurance terms and conditions - a lot of 17 year olds have car insurance of course!!
ancient_mariner said:
When people compliment you on your gear, just say "thank you very much" as if it's a privilege to own it & move on. If people like your pictures it's something they will often say without thinking what their words really mean, or will describe a picture as being "really sharp" because they are amazed at the detail captured, completely missing* any creative intent within the image.
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Good response (IMO) ...
 
•

I learned: "it's all in the print" (still applicable today).

And that print says nothing of the gear, film, software,
or else!
 
woof woof said:
On comments that your/my camera does the work... don't waste your time on this, just say "You're right" and get on with your life and leave them to get on with theirs
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Good advice for all conflict situations - although I generally use "you may be right" and smile. Works wonders on the wife. Most of the time...
 
Harlequin565 said:
Good advice for all conflict situations - although I generally use "you may be right" and smile. Works wonders on the wife. Most of the time...
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Surely its a good idea with your wife ... as you can justify the new camera you want as improving your photographs :)
 
No I Compleatly cool concept tho it is impossible (atm) for a computer or camera to be able to see emotion or story telling which are often some of the key parts to photography
 
woof woof said:
On comments that your/my camera does the work... don't waste your time on this, just say "You're right" and get on with your life and leave them to get on with theirs :D

On editing, I got my first camera when I was 10 but I was producing other art before that and still consider myself an artist who sometimes takes pictures :D

When taking pictures I have a number of choices including the option of capturing reality as accurately as I can but I also have the option of forgetting about accuracy and instead creating something else, maybe something nicer to look at?

There's (arguably) nothing new in photography, people have been editing pictures and arguing about fakery forever but IMO it's only a problem if there's any intent to deceive. Be honest and describe your end result honestly and who cares what some random heckler says.
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Awsomely put!
 
ancient_mariner said:
When people compliment you on your gear, just say "thank you very much" as if it's a privilege to own it & move on. If people like your pictures it's something they will often say without thinking what their words really mean, or will describe a picture as being "really sharp" because they are amazed at the detail captured, completely missing* any creative intent within the image.

*Photographers do this to each other sometimes too, calling a picture "competently exposed" or similar.
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I really agree. Great answer
 
If someone sees my photos and says it must be a good camera, then I'll politely say thanks and move on. But it's not about the gear, it's about the picture you produce with it.
One of my favourite photos (of my own) was taken with my old Sony Alpha 350 DSLR. A camera that cost me £150.
If anyone (likely other photographers) is really interested in what I used for a shot, the information is all there on my Flickr account (and here in my profile).

As for editing, well the vast majority of images have been edited. How many versions of the Mona Lisa were painted before DaVinci was satisfied? When they examine and X-ray all these old paintings, they find layers of paint underneath. that's all "editing".

I would consider watching some of the documentaries on BBC iPlayer, particularly "Britain in Focus", which gives a good history of photography and will show that it's not about the gear at all.


Eloise said:
the insurance is likely the main issue but will be down to the insurance terms and conditions - a lot of 17 year olds have car insurance of course!!
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Probably not that many as a) lessons are very expensive these days and b) insurance as a main driver is very expensive for young people, so they are likely to be a named driver on someone else's insurance, hence won't have taken it out themselves.
Even if they can afford the insurance themselves, they'll need to find an insurer who will happily insure a young person. Same with photography, it can probably be done, but you might need to find a specialist who will be able to insure a young person.
 
ABTog said:
insurance as a main driver is very expensive for young people, so they are likely to be a named driver on someone else's insurance, hence won't have taken it out themselves.
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Hopefully this isn't as prevalent as it used to be as it is known as "Fronting" and is illegal. It can result in claims being rejected and worst case also prosecution.

Anyway back on topic.
 
lindsayperezphotography said:
What would say to someone who says " your photos are only good because of your camera" "all you need is a good camera"
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and before we get all self righteous...lets remember there are situations where you can't take a good picture unless you ahve a good camera ...

JustSayin..

PS Comment aimed at everyone in the thread not just the OP :)
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
Hopefully this isn't as prevalent as it used to be as it is known as "Fronting" and is illegal. It can result in claims being rejected and worst case also prosecution.

Anyway back on topic.
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That would depend on the situation. If they are the owner and actually the main driver of the car, then that situation is illegal. If they are just a named driver on a parents car (like many 17 year olds will be) then it's ok.

Yup back on topic.

KIPAX said:
and before we get all self righteous...lets remember there are situations where you can't take a good picture unless you ahve a good camera ...

JustSayin..

PS Comment aimed at everyone in the thread not just the OP :)
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True.. to an extent. I shot a conference recently where the light was terrible and practically everything was at ISO4000 or above, I couldn't have done that with acceptable image quality on my previous cameras, but the 6D was fine.
But that's just image quality, whether the photograph is good is another matter. :cool:
 
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•
That's the beauty about writing poetry or equations: it may be done with
any writing instruments… even a twig on a sandy beach.
KIPAX said:
there are situations where you can't take a good picture unless you ahve a good camera ...
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That is, OTH, the horror of image recording. I see this with every students:
they have ideas, a scene to photograph, etc, but they just can't get it their
way.

They are limited by the features and quality of their recording instrument:
the gear. Name it: extended ISO, faster shutter, greater buffer, AF functions
and tweaks, etc ,etc, etc…

I know I couldn't start a day not being sure to have my trusty single digit
cameras or high res. sensor bodies available and ready to work. Because
I have to be ready for anything a client or situation may require.

The same high performances is wished from everything in the arsenal:
bodies, lenses, flashes, batteries, tripods and heads, and quite a few
backups… all that because of the sentence: a pro has no excuse!

Even with the best of everything in the toolbox, these are only tools with
greater flexibilities that must learn how to work. If one doesn't have intimate
knowledge of the gear so to configure it to the needs, the disciple to clean,
recharge, repair eventually, and perform the necessary soft/firmware up-
grades like I did here:
https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/a-blue-eyed-cookie-monster-—-just-what-i-needed.649681/
one is just a better equipped idiot when the client shows up! :banghead:
 
KIPAX said:
and before we get all self righteous...lets remember there are situations where you can't take a good picture unless you ahve a good camera ...

JustSayin..

PS Comment aimed at everyone in the thread not just the OP :)
Click to expand...

ABTog said:
True. I shot a conference recently where the light was terrible and practically everything was at ISO4000 or above, I couldn't have done that with acceptable image quality on my previous cameras, but the 6D was fine.
But that's just image quality, whether the photograph is good is another matter. :cool:
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The path to a good image (in whose eyes ~ photographer or recipient?) will always have a subjectivity but often the best camera is the one you have to hand.

As mentioned , in low light you need a fast lens and low noise high iso sensor........in wildlife a crop sensor and 600mm is a sweet combo. But what we can afford and hence use is a greater influencing factor, for myself I have lens GAS but no budget so i try to get the best out what I have. If I wanted to try for an old style image a pinhole camera setup in Venice could prove a magical test and end result.

In other words ~ yes, if money no object buy the kit that best suits what you are aiming to perfect but most of us are generalists and thankfully with digital camera's potential to cover many situations especially when it comes to improved noise control in newer generation sensors I.e. change iso on the fly is great :)

However, if I won the Lotto then the gloves would be off :LOL:
 
Box Brownie said:
However, if I won the Lotto then the gloves would be off :LOL:
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haha I always tell everyone I wouldn't have anywhere near this quality of kit if I wasn't doing it for a living... I am regularly in situations where my iso starts at 25600 and previous cameras that only went up to 3200 or 6400 just wouldnt have got anything usable..

Its a thin line.. I just don't agree with the myth that a good photographer can take a pic with any camera :)
 
KIPAX said:
haha I always tell everyone I wouldn't have anywhere near this quality of kit if I wasn't doing it for a living... I am regularly in situations where my iso starts at 25600 and previous cameras that only went up to 3200 or 6400 just wouldnt have got anything usable..

Its a thin line.. I just don't agree with the myth that a good photographer can take a pic with any camera :)
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On another thread where the OP was trying to justify GAS with the inference that a better camera would improve his keeper rate, I made the point that one should develop camera craft first and that will reveal (all being equal) whether the subject matter has pushed the tog's skills hence hit the limits of the kit.......only then to give in to GAS if you can afford/justify it :)
 
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Ed Sutton said:
You could always make your pictures based on what your equipment is capable of instead of pushing it beyond it's limits trying to make the same pictures everyone else makes.
.
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did you know your where insulting people or just too thick skinned to realise? Why do you think me or anyone else is just trying to take the same pics everyone else is taking.. maybe i have the equipment so i can take pics others cant take... also there is the point that when your being paid you ahve to take the pics the customer wants?
 
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