Have you ever heard someone say โmy pictures would be so much better if I had a professional cameraโ? Perhaps youโre even guilty of saying these words yourself. I hear this said quite often but is there any truth to it?
Will a better camera really make you a better photographer? Will your images instantly become amazing?
Iโm sorry to say that they wonโt. In fact, camera gear doesnโt matter that much.
Ok. Before anyone points it out, isnโt it a bit biased to make this statement when I use professional cameras and lenses myself? Perhaps. But I havenโt always had good equipment (and there are still way better systems out of my price range).
Just like most other photographers, I started with a simple point-and-shoot camera. I learned photography with an entry-level DSLR and still used one when I first started making some money from my hobby.
The purpose of this article is to make you understand that the price tag of your equipment doesnโt define you as a photographer; youโre perfectly able to capture top-notch, professional-looking images even with a point-and-shoot, smartphone or budget DSLR camera.
Donโt believe me? Keep reading and Iโll show you several examples.
The Camera Doesnโt Define the Photographer
Let me take you back to 2015 at the crack of dawn by the popular Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. As the sun rises above the horizon, the serene pink-blossoming cherry trees dominate an otherwise hectic town. Surrounding me are hundreds, if not thousands, of tourists and photographers.
Next to me is a man with a $4000 camera, a $2000 lens, and a top-of-the-line tripod. He looks over at my display and asks (not politely if I may add) for the settings Iโm using. I tell him the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed Iโm using and mention that Iโm using an ND filter.
He shrugs, turns back to his camera, and applies the same settings. 30 seconds later he harshly says that this canโt be the setting I use as his image is completely white. He was getting uncomfortably aggressive.
What he didnโt understand is that the Neutral Density filter is used to do long exposure photography.
Iโm not saying that heโs a bad photographer but it made me wonder whatโs the point of having the best camera gear when you donโt know how to use it.
My point is that having a professional camera doesnโt make you a better photographer than someone with an entry-level one.
The camera doesnโt define you as a photographer. Skilled photographers are able to capture a good image with the equipment at hand because they know how to use it and, most importantly, understandย the fundamentals of photography.
Focus on the Basics
What all talented photographers have in common is that, at some point in their journey, they took the time to learn the basics.
It doesnโt matter what camera system youโre using. The ISO, shutter speed, and aperture remain the same. Compositions arenโt affected by the quality of your camera.
If you want to become a better photographer, you need to learn these things. You need to understand the Exposure Triangle. Compositional techniques. Light. Color. These are the things that help you create compelling images.
When you understand these fundamentals, youโll realize that a professional camera wouldnโt have helped you in the beginning. It wouldnโt have instantly made your images better.
Why do Professional Photographers Have Professional Gear?
Now if all this is true, and you can capture professional-looking images on an entry-level camera, why do most professional photographers use expensive and high-quality gear?
Isnโt this a little contradictory?
Itโs true that expensive gear wonโt make you a better photographer. However, itโs no secret that a $4000 camera is better than a $400 camera and a $2000 lens is better than a $200 lens.
The main advantage of professional camera equipment is that youโre able to create higher-quality image files. This is mainly due to:
- Better Dynamic Range performance
- Better ISO performance
- Superior and larger sensors
- Larger sensor size and higher resolution
- More focus points (important for wildlife or action photography)
For landscape photographers, I believe Dynamic Range, ISO performance, and higher resolution are three of the main advantages.
ISO performance is drastically better on a professional camera, which is especially important for night photography.
Since the files are of a considerably larger resolution, youโre also able to produce much larger prints. In short, top-end cameras produce bigger and better files.
Who Should Use Professional Camera Gear?
So, who is professional camera gear for? What is the right time to make the move?
Thereโs no correct answer to this. I believe it depends on your goals and ambitions with photography.
In general, I recommend starting out with an entry-level camera. Take the time to learn the fundamental camera settings, experiment with the camera and different techniques, work on your compositions, and be active with photography.
Youโll at some point feel the need to upgrade your gear. Be it because you want to do more post-processing or perhaps print bigger images.
If you only publish images online, you donโt need to buy the most expensive equipment. Youโre not going to see a big difference between an entry-level and professional camera on a downsized .jpg file optimized for the web.
Recommended Reading: The Best Web Sharpeners for Photoshop. Goodbye Soft Images!
At the end of the day, what camera equipment you choose is up to you. Everyoneโs financial situations are different. I just want you to understand that a better camera wonโt make you a better photographer.
You still need to put in the work.
Examples With an Entry-Level Camera
I hope that Iโve succeeded in making you understand that purchasing a professional camera wonโt instantly make you a better photographer. In fact, it wonโt have any impact at all in the beginning.
Itโs your knowledge and understanding of photography that will help you capture better images and thatโs not something you can learn overnight; it takes time and dedication to master these skills.
While looking through my archives I came across these images that I captured with an entry-level DSLR camera and cheap lenses. These are images Iโm still happy with and they wouldnโt look any different if I captured them with the equipment I have today.
You can also read our Ultimate Guide to Smartphone Photography to see that you can take stunning images even with your phone.
As ever, you are correct and I agree. It also reminds me of the quote by Sam Haskins:
A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’ He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.โ
Hi Mark,
I’m familiar with this quote – and find it spot on! Thanks for sharing.
Well done. You nailed it. People really do behave this way – assuming the equipment defines the performance. Very few people truly know what their cameras are capable of.
I once had a long conversation with a pro who was at a professional golf tournament with a top end Canon and 300mm L lens. We discussed equipment, and he said: “there are a lot of very expensive cameras out there taking very mediocre photographs. I can compose better images with my point & shoot S100 than most of those high end users. I need this top end gear for my business – its my livelihood. But I would never carry it around for every day use and travel. I can get superb results out of my mid-range 80D because I know that camera inside out.”
Reinforcing what Christian says.
I agree with what that professional photographer said. If your ambitions is just to travel and document your daily life, there’s absolutely no need for a professional camera. Even if you’re an aspiring photographer who wants to capture beautiful images, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars right away. Like the photographer you talked with said: it’s a bit difference when it’s your business and livelihood; in which case you probably have higher requirements as well.
Thank you for taking the time to comment!