The “Photographers Disease”

Do you have the “Photographers Disease”? You know where that great photograph is always
one equipment purchase away. Don’t fret actually it’s not an official disease you’ve
probably just been swooned by all the marketing hype we all experience these days!

Preamble

I was in the car with my daughter a while back and I told her about a new lens I’d like
to get. She told me that she was talking to a friend who is also a photographer and he
said that photographers always in want of equipment, ``its like a disease``. Got to
agree I sometimes wondered about this myself. I was thinking about the new
Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS II USM lens. Pinch, pinch, back to reality!

My Opinion

Case in point the 10 stop ND filter. There’s been a storm to buy these over the last
couple of years. I’ve even seen some comments on-line saying that because of the large
demand in these filters supply is low. Sounds like two reasons not to buy one!:-)
In light of this I am surprised to find that I have not seen one, in my opinion, “great”
colour photograph taken with these filters. Now, perhaps surprisingly(?), I have seen
many great black and white photographs taken using these filters. Take for example my
friend Joel Tjintjelaar's work. Excellent!

Besides on many occasions I use Mother Nature as my neutral density filter. Thanks Mom!



If someone knows of a “great” colour photograph taken with this filter can you post the
link here so we can all have a look? There has got to be some out there, I’d love to see one!

Ironically just yesterday I was thinking of a possible use for this filter. I want to make
an image based on a verse from a “Police” song, “Spirits in the material world”.
I visualize a shot of people meandering about in a shopping district. I want the commercial
district distinct and the moving people, ghost like. I think a shutter speed of perhaps
1/10 of a second would be a starting point. Then again depending on the ambient light I
might be able to stack a couple of polarizer’s to get what I need. I already got those!

Oh and if you think a Lens Baby or HDR is the path to great photography, good luck your
going to need it! Unfortunately these things often take a person away from focusing on what
makes a good photographer/photograph, technique, composition and lighting!

Post

Equipment should be put in perspective. If you just want to have some fun and make some great
images then many of the compact cameras will do. Some even have great macro and video
features included!

Personally the last print I sold to our provincial art gallery was taken with a Canon Powershot.
Not one of my fancy and expensive DSLR’s!



For a professional who does landscapes, portraits or weddings a good body with a 24-70 2.8
and a 70-200 2.8 would be great tools to get you just about everything you need and leave
lots of room for the creative process! In the real world it’s not going to make any difference
if you use a Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM lens or the new Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS II USM lens.

It’s not about the equipment, it’s about you! Enjoy your photography!