Opinion Post/Poll - About Your Gear

Been having interesting photography thought-processes and subsequent involved discourse lately, and have a somewhat burning question to ask you all. In one of Guy Tal's blog posts he eluded to the value of the Artist Statement on personal photography websites, that got me thinking about another page we often see on these sites -and its the Gear/Equipment page.

I suppose the question is: what a\value does this bring to your photography? Is it helpful for others getting into photography to see what equipment you are using? Do you think that if you disclose this information, the buyer is going to say to themselves 'wow, they know what they're doing because they own all of this fancy stuff, therefore I feel better about my purchase'? Or, is it because you're just proud of the process you've developed and would like to have this there?

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this as I personally think its rather irrelevant (and maybe makes you a target for theft). I do think its important to disclose the end product (prints/frames) as that is the tangible asset the buyer will own.

No. I've always looked at it as a form of bragging. Who really cares what sort of tripod and head etc. you use. I love the tired comment "you are a great photographer...you must have a really great camera!" I also love "this meal you made tastes terrific....you must have a really great oven!" It just doesn't matter to me and I don't look at it on a website. I don't have it on mine.

Meant to include this in my original post. I totally agree regarding posting shooting info when soliciting an in depth critique on a forum such as this. It's an invaluable learning tool. It may not turn you into one of the pros here but it absolutely provides avenues for those seeking to try and improve their skills.

I've never had any gear section on any of my websites, I figure that unless I am getting paid to use a camera why should I advertise for a particular company for free. Plus, as we all know, its the photographer that makes the image, not the camera.

I only put it on mine since I've fielded enough questions about it. But, I'm not a "pro" so it doesn't affect marketing, rates, etc. My site is geared mostly towards friends and family. If I was a "pro", I would probably take it down so it wasn't a distraction.
On the other hand, is this much different than photographers who post info about what equipment was used to take a specific photo? Just curious...

Bob, that's a great question and I'm glad you brought it up as it only makes for better discussion - presumably this is more relevant because its tied to a discrete image - so its sort of the 'facilitation' point if you will... very cool indeed. Again, the camera is and should be an extension of your eye. I sort of go back and forth on the whole disclosure thing - of course if you were doing tintypes, palladium plates, which had such an unusual aspect to them, then yeah I think it makes sense. Interesting talk so far....

I agree that the camera plays a very small role in the artistic qualities of the image it records. However, while I don't have a gear section on my website, I am a bit of a "gear-head" and will often peek at what other photographers' set-ups are if they have it posted. I think the way that gear influences my photography the most is that if I get something new (lens, etc), I experience a surge in motivation to go out shooting with the "new toy!"

I have a "equipment" page on my website because I got tired of answering several emails a day (seriously!) asking me what kind of camera, lens, etc. I use...

Scott - that's interesting you get that much inquiry! I'm glad to hear both sides of this....many sides...

Good question and responses.

I tend to think it is less than meaningful so I just usually put that I work with large format and also a DSLR. When I teach workshops or do presentations I usually show a series of images and ask people to guess what camera took them. Then after they guess I let them know that all were taken with my point and shoot.

On the other hand I do run a blog of just pictures of my 4x5 in the field........

I have one sentence about the equipment on my website. I did this for three reasons. The first is that a lot of people ask. Second, I like to look and see what equipment, mostly lenses, others use. Third, I often hear comments from people (not directed towards me specifically) about how expensive it is to buy a photograph when all you have to do is use some ink and $2 worth of paper. I had a conversation with a couple people one day when I was out shooting and this topic came up. I took my backpack off and showed them all the lenses, the 2 camera bodies I had at the time, and all the other misc. gear. This wasn't to "show off" it was to make them aware of the expenses incurred to even get to the point of printing an image out on a $2 piece of paper. I also went into other expenses like time, insurance, travel costs, etc. In the end they had a better appreciation as to the costs involved and an understanding of why the print costs are what they are.

I love the tired comment "you are a great photographer...you must have a really great camera!"

Pam I get that a lot too, usually, 'That's some camera!, I bet it takes great pictures'. I take it with a grain of salt, most people that have said that to me don't really mean anything by it, so I usually respond with something like, "Yeah it does take great pictures, I usually just point it at something and try to stay out of it's way" said with a smile and a wink...

Chris Martin, I agree with your statement that the camera may play a small role in the artistic qualities, but the camera and particularly the lenses play a large part in what type of images you can take. An example is 10 years ago I began traveling and backpacking with my younger brother. He started out only being able to afford disposable film cameras, crappy film, fixed lens. He is an artist and always loved to sketch so his images were always nicely composed, but the equipment limited his shot possibilities. Over the last 10 years he progressed to a point and shoot then eventually to a succession of Canon Rebel digital SLRS. At each progression the quality and diversity of the types of images have improved. The equipment DOES matter.

I'm not saying that the equipment doesn't matter at all...obviously there are various limitations that inhibit the technical aspects of an image if you don't have the right piece of gear. For instance, I don't have a particularly long or fast telephoto lens, thus I'm limited in the type of wildlife shots I can take. However, I have no illusions that simply buying a long, fast lens is going to instantly transform me into some renowned wildlife photographer, but it may give me the tools to practice and improve my skill.

I had a gear list on my old website but when I changed providers a couple years ago it fell by the wayside. Not sure why....

As far as having to have the latest gear, I used to watch a show on PBS by a science type guy named John Acorn. He was sort of like Mr. Wizard (dating myself) but every few shows he would have a photography theme. Sometimes he would use his WCC (World's Crummiest Camera) which was a $5 plastic camera. Once he duct taped the camera to one lens of a pair of binoculars for telephoto shots. Next time he attached a magnifying glass to the front of the camera for macro. All very entertaining but the point is he was using crap equipment to make some really neat images.

All that being said, I know I'm able to create images simpler and quicker due to the technology of my equipment and I'm using a body that's 3 generations behind the current model. I love technology.

Just today I was told "You must have a really nice camera..." I replied with a line I stole from Grant Collier: "Yes, I do...but I taught it everything it knows." What I really miss though, is the standard comment I used to get when setting up my brand new wooden field camera. "Is that an antique?" "No...it's brand new...but I'm a little crusty around the edges."

I'm acutely aware that most others don't give a rats ass about what others are shooting so I try to stay sensitive to the gear postings. I mention my gear briefly on my site because I'm a freakin "gear-head." I want other gearheads to relate, and I want others to know that I'm shooting the best gear I'm willing to pay for to get worthy results. I'm dead serious about my photography and if I can muster up the last dollar to get my gear of choice then I'll go for it, regardless of what I may end of sacrificing.

I drive a piece of crap car (baby blue!! 98 Ford Contour, with a huge dent) and often use the line, "You spend your hard earned money on your car, I spend my money on my photography equipment."

Just today I was told "You must have a really nice camera..." I replied with a line I stole from Grant Collier: "Yes, I do...but I taught it everything it knows."

LOL! I love it! Can I steal it, too?

Bob, that's a great question and I'm glad you brought it up as it only makes for better discussion - presumably this is more relevant because its tied to a discrete image - so its sort of the 'facilitation' point if you will... very cool indeed. Again, the camera is and should be an extension of your eye. I sort of go back and forth on the whole disclosure thing - of course if you were doing tintypes, palladium plates, which had such an unusual aspect to them, then yeah I think it makes sense. Interesting talk so far..

I see the difference, and it makes sense. Thanks.

I don't have a web site (yet), and I never pay attention to what others post about their gear. I'm not interested. I also never post what gear I use with my images. In fact, I don't even post exposure data as I think that is pretty much useless. (In a landscape shot, does it really matter if I took Autumn Valley at f/8 and 1/125 or f/11 and 1/60?

Yes, newbs usually want to know this, but when I get asked that, I just tell them the answer doesn't really matter. It's like asking how much a villa in the south of France costs; if you have to ask, getting the answer really won't be very meaningful.

I don't even post exposure data as I think that is pretty much useless. (In a landscape shot, does it really matter if I took Autumn Valley at f/8 and 1/125 or f/11 and 1/60?

Yes, newbs usually want to know this, but when I get asked that, I just tell them the answer doesn't really matter. It's like asking how much a villa in the south of France costs; if you have to ask, getting the answer really won't be very meaningful.

I've got to say, I don't understand the reluctance to share technical details. Maybe it provides a sense of "I'm beyond those trivial things that newbies care about..." But when seeking a critique, the more information you provide about how you made the image, the more specific a person can be in evaluating the image and providing targeted, relevant feedback. Providing exposure information to the general public probably holds little value, but here, especially when soliciting feedback, it can be very helpful, even essential.

If one were to inquire, for example, about the apparent lack of detail in a particular part of an image, such as aspen trunks , it would be helpful to know if the image was shot at f/22 or f/8.

Would anyone go to the doctor seeking a diagnosis and treatment, but refuse to provide details about why they're there or what they may have done to necessitate the visit?

Regardless of how much I spend on gear, my photography still sucks.

First things first, if some of you guys are getting enough web traffic that some large enough percentage asking gear questions is an annoyance, I need to know how to get that much traffic to my sites, which is honestly something I need to know but know nothing about.

I don't bother with gear lists because it's irrelevant to the enjoyment of the photo viewing experience. Same with the response to someone who thinks photos are just a little ink and two bucks worth of paper. My response is, you're not buying ink and paper.

I would, however, have no objection to including exposure data with images, as I think that could be useful to someone on a quest for knowledge.

I would not say showing your gear list on your website is bragging (unless that's what you really are doing!). I used to show a complete list of every piece of equipment I use because I had an interest in knowing what other photographers used to create their images. I still have that interest, but spelling out every single filter and camera bag is a bit over the top. I've since changed the verbiage on my site to give a simple statement in plain English to reflect the type of equipment I use. If somebody really wants to know what brand my filters are, they can ask.

I also display the exposure data (and filters used) alongside my images as a reference for anybody interested in knowing how a particular image was created. I've always found this information useful as a learning experience when looking at other photographs and so I've chosen to pass on the knowledge with mine.

I talk extensively in my blogl about how I use my gear, not what brand it is or how expensive it was (why remind myself how much money I've blown on this hobby). This seems to be very helpful to readers, helping both sides understand best practices or creative uses.

Another one of my favorite responses to the "you must have a great camera" comment

I have a few sentences about gear on a FAQ on my webpage, it's pretty general though since there's been a wide range of equipment I've used to capture the images on my site (4x5, 35mm, several generations of digital). I have it there mostly to automatically answer the occasional inquiry, like Scott says, even though I don't get questions daily yet . The purpose of this also was definitely not to brag. I think there's value in having that info available for those interested from educational perspective, but I really don't advocate one camera brand or format over another.

A reason I don't have the tech info posted on every image on my personal website is simply because I'm more interested in a viewer's aesthetic reaction in that particular medium. However, if I want some specific technical advice on a photo, I'm with Rick, adding that info in a place such as a critique forum or my blog can be helpful, I just don't want it on each image slide on the gallery pages of my personal website.

That's a great cartoon Joshua!

I have a short blurb about equipment on my site, but don't go into details. At least among friends that visit the site, they seem curious. Probably the most common question is whether I use film or digital.

When I get the comment that I must use a good camera or that I am good with the camera, I usually say that it's all in Photoshop, which is probably true to some degree or another for most of us. Truth be told, Photoshop is probably more significant than equipment for image quality, especially for web presentations. I don't see that on many web sites, though.

Count me as one of those people that has an entire page on my site dedicated to the gear I use, and gear I have used in the past. I do this for several reasons. Like Scott B, and Scott F., I have fielded many questions about what gear I use. Part of this I believe stems from the amount of time I spend shooting at the Grand Canyon. I'm very willing to talk about photography, both art and gear, and this has lead to many people emailing me asking what I use.

Another reason I created my What's in Adam's Camera Bag? page was to promote my sponsors products. I like to point out that I only promote or endorse products that I use myself, and more importantly, believe in. I provide links back to their sites and obviously share what equipment I use. I will be expanding this idea into blog posts in the future where I will share how I use my equipment and how it can help me achieve my artistic vision.