#1 Misconception About Photography
#1 Misconception
About Photography
“Wow you have a huge camera— it must take great pictures!”
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve been told this. I can’t imagine that anyone ever meant anything negative by it, but I also don’t think they understand what that phrase means to a photographer.
Let’s take a step back here for a second.
I remember the first time I had someone say this to me. I was shooting a University of Minnesota Gophers men’s hockey game at Mariucci Arena. I was about 23-years-old and I was on assignment for the biggest newspaper in the state. I was feeling great and I was happy to be peering through a porthole in the glass. Hockey is easily my favorite sport to photograph— it’s such a fast-paced sport. I played soccer for nearly 20 years growing up and hockey is so similar to it… except for being a billion times faster and you can get away with bringing less gear because the rink is a helluva lot smaller than a regulation soccer field.
It was the end of the first period and I grabbed my gear to head back to my work station to upload and submit images to the paper before the second period started. That’s when it happened.
“Wow! That’s a huge camera— it must take really great pictures!” said someone from the stands as I climbed the stairs past him.
“Oh... yeah… [insert the awkward forced laugh you have to give when someone tells a bad joke but you’re there on a professional capacity],” I replied as I continued walking.
But while I was walking, I continued to replay that phase in my head over and over.
Since then, I’ve had multiple conversations with other photographers about this exact phrase and it’s been decided unanimously that it’s an incredibly rude thing to say to a photographer.
Here’s why:
1. The Camera Doesn’t Take Good Pictures— I Do
This is the equivalent of telling a pastry chef their desserts are wonderful because of their oven. Or asking a marathon runner which brand of sneakers she trains in because her time is incredible.
This phrase completely disregards the person behind the skills.
2. You’re Saying My Years of Experience Makes No Difference
It takes a human behind the camera to create an image. I have to know which camera to use and which lens to pair it with… and WHY I’m pairing them together. On top of that, knowing which settings to use and how they interact and the different effects that they produce.
It takes a photographer years to hone their skills to be able to look at a space and know exactly what settings to use on their camera and make a perfect exposure upon the first release of a shutter. Instead of regarding the photographer for the years of experience and dedication to their craft, this statement praises the photographer for purchasing a camera rather than their wealth of knowledge needed to operate the camera.
3. The Size Doesn’t Matter
This is the real kicker! Size doesn’t matter when it comes to photography. Just because someone is shooting with a long lens, doesn’t mean they know how to use it. There are plenty of large cameras that look impressive but are 20 years old and their technology is far inferior to today’s smartphones!
Same thing for the newest mirrorless camera trend. They are small but powerful cameras! It might look like a basic consumer camera, but they pack a serious punch! But come in a size that doesn’t get the “Your camera must take great pictures” comment…
In the same breath, ignoring the size and just saying, “Your camera takes really good pictures!” is just as rude and disrespectful. Even the most amazing camera and lens setup can’t create a great picture without an operator that knows how the camera and lens work together— not to mention all the other variables… light, environment, speed of subject… the list could go on.
So what do you think? What does the general public get wrong about your craft or your industry? I know that photographers can’t be the only ones that deal with something like this!
I want to hear your experiences in the comments section below!
