The Nature Photographer and the Travel Writer

A nature photographer and a journalist worked together for the first time on a magazine article. The article was very popular, and after publication they sat down for a drink together. “You know,” the journalist said, “you took some really good photos. You must have a great camera”

“Thanks,” said the photographer. “And that was some terrific creative writing. You must have a great typewriter.”

If you get this joke, you are probably a photographer who puts up with ridiculous comments every day. If you don’t get it…read on, my friend, and learn.

If you eat a great meal at a restaurant, you don’t compliment the chef on the quality of his saucepans. When we appreciate a great painting, we don’t automatically think about the brand of paintbrush. When you hear your favourite song…well, you can see where I am going with this. So why is it that so many people think that good photography is all about how much money you spend on your camera?

A camera is simply the tool a photographer uses for their craft. There are dozens of brands and models available, with myriad minor features that sound good in a camera shop. But really good photography, just like it always has, requires only the basic features found on almost every camera: shutter speed, aperture, and a good quality lens.

In the days of film, these features were only available on SLR and larger format cameras, so it could be argued that they belonged to the realm of ‘serious’ photographers. However, in the digital age, these essential features are available on almost any camera, should the owner take the time to learn how to use them.

Regardless of what type of camera they have, a photographer uses an appreciation of light, a unique flair for composition, and a sense of timing, to capture their subject in a way that satisfies their vision. These skills are the product of experience and creativity, and have nothing to do with technology.

I was guest speaker at a camera club once, where a member brought a whole suitcase full of expensive camera gear to the meeting. There was no reason to bring cameras to that particular meeting, and by all reports he wasn’t much of a photographer, but he wanted everyone to see how much gear he had. What he did not seem to grasp was that cameras don’t earn you respect as a photographer – photos do.

If you want to improve your photography, never assume it will automatically happen with a better camera. Instead, settle for the camera you can afford, and learn to use the camera you have. Remember; aperture, shutter speed, a decent lens and a flair for composition and light. Master these and you will get results no matter what sort of camera you have.

Don’t be intimidated by photographers with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Instead, intimidate them with your photography…in the end, only results matter.