Observed this over the Weekend

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

First thing is that indicated he wasn't just a guy with a camera was the Camera that he was using- No I didn't get a close look of the model but it wasn't an entry level Nikon-also he was using a gold trim lens which generally are only used by pros.

As to DOF, I don't think he was working on a shallow DOF because there was more behind the couple than just wildflowers that he was placing them in a position to include into the shot and bluring it out would be a lost positive to his inclusion in the shot.

I guess none of you have seen me shooting but I tend to overcarry items when I shoot-I usually have several lenses on me to choose from along with a monopod and tripod in the Jeep along with other lenses and flashes.

He was not the shooter with the stroboframe and in fact didn't see any off camera flash brought out before I left where he was shooting-the person with the stroboframe was another shooter who was handholding her camera.

What I was trying to put across is that many times people get over preocuppied with all the extra things that are not really needed for a particular shoot and when doing this with a client-even one who is a friend who is modeling for free for you- you can come off looking like you really don't know what you are doing.

Yes there are times that tripods are used and needed, yes there are times when off camera flashes and stroboframes or similar systems are needed and should be used but THEY DON'T NEED TO BE USED ALL THE TIME!

Realy it comes down to a CAMERA and maybe a good handheld light meter is what is needed for a shoot to take a great picture and all the rest is EXTRA!

[mjdmike]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

..........Thanks for giving me this chance to rant. I needed an outlet today. I had a flat tire, and I didn't have a good jack. I hope someone doesn't show up on the "auto repair" forum and make fun of me for being "under equipped"......and I probably looked pretty haphazard to a full time mechanic, and well, maybe you get my point ??

Funny....

[jeffkohn]

No I didn't get a close look of the model but it wasn't an entry level Nikon-also he was using a gold trim lens which generally are only used by pros.

Nah, lots of amatuers and part-timers can afford the good stuff. Maybe even more than some pros who would have to justify ROI for their business.

Yes there are times that tripods are used and needed, yes there are times when off camera flashes and stroboframes or similar systems are needed and should be used but THEY DON'T NEED TO BE USED ALL THE TIME!

Realy it comes down to a CAMERA and maybe a good handheld light meter is what is needed for a shoot to take a great picture and all the rest is EXTRA!

Different strokes for different folks, what works best for you might not be the best approach for somebody else. I see no need for a handheld meter unless using strobes in a studio; and yet I almost always use a tripod, and consider it one of my most important accessories even in situations where you apparently find them unnecesary.

[CaptainTom]

I think this has been a good thread,
There are usually at least two sides to a good argument.

What I got from this is that Paul is more interested in getting the great shot than the equipment that gets lugged around because we think we "might" need it. I will agree 100%, and that carrying lots of gear can cause you to lose sight of what the real goal is.

"Just because I yell and scream doesn't mean I don't love ya."

[BKing]

Like Jeff said, lots of amateurs can afford the good stuff. That describes me. So I would hope that a photography guru who saw me make mistakes would offer constructive advice in person rather than snipe at me on some forum, for what appears to be, just for the fun of it.

[andiesmith]

i had a teacher that used to tell us that part of being a good photographer was knowing what equiptment you would need...of course this was the same teacher that only allowed 50mm lenses on our cameras for an entire semester.