camera or subject?

[Phillip Ross]

Okay having just purchased a new camera and falling head over heels in love with the simplicity and complexity of it I just wondered what other peoples opinions were on this subject, do you think it is the camera or the subject that is been photographed which is more important to produce good images?

I personally think that it is the subject for example I am in the UK and we have a severe shortage of what i would call good subjects to photograph beyond people the landscapes are sameish and rarely change in colour and perspective yet it is still possible to take an interesting shot whereas if i were in somewhere such as Canada for example i think that the choice in subjects would be a great deal more.

[Debra James Percival]

The subject is more important then the camera. But, I love playing with any camera equipment I can get my hands on!

[Jennifer A. Gill]

Phillip:

In response to your "diatribe" on the "severe" shortage of photographic subjects, I would like to recommend that you try choosing sailboats...and photograph only sailboats for one year during different times of the day and months. Many artists have been able to gain insight into the extraordinary by seeing the ordinary...remember, you never step into the same water twice!

Let me know if you can focus on one subject for some time, and if your "artistic vision" in fact does change after you have done a year's drilling on "sailboats"...not even the same sailboat, just sailboats in general.

Have fun!!!!

Jennifer

[David McCullough]

What is important is what you want to say about what you see. The camera is an inanimate tool. It has no life to contribute to the image.

If you give 6 photographers the assignment to photograph a tree on a hill side each will create a different photo. One may step out of his car and take a photo. It is a record of what he saw when he stepped out of the car. There is no message other than, "I was here".

Another may take photos of the microcosm that is that tree. The bark, a line of ants marching to god knows where.

Another may find an angle that shows a solitary tree on a hill. A statement of perseverance and solitude.

Yet another may find where a seed has taken sprout and is reaching upward while a bough of the tree droops toward the earth. Perhaps a symbol of the circle of life.

And on, and on, each one finding something to say about what he see.

Once you have determined what you want to say about something you choose the techniques that best permit you to make that statement, that communication.

-Dave

[Phillip Ross]

hi everyone some good comments and very interesting points put forward, David I liked what you said about "What is important is what you want to say about what you see." that is so true and brings up images of the old saying "every picture tells a story" we as photographers use film/digital to capture time each image reflections of that one specific moment the shutter closed.

I also agree with your comments on how each person will see something different in a single subject, i try to find that one angle, that certain lighting position etc that i think (and hope) no one else can see until i take the photograph and then the composition becomes visable to everyone around.

what i referred to in the first post about england being short of subjects i dont think was quite clearly written by myself, what i was trying to put forward was that beyond the expected we have to search deeper to find that interesting subject and having thought more about it I can see now that it is the same no matter where you are it isnt so much the subject you choose it's how you portay it in your images.

[André Untiedt]

Thank you for this — a great reminder of the creativity of the art. I liked Jennifer's idea too.

David McCullough said:

What is important is what you want to say about what you see. The camera is an inanimate tool. It has no life to contribute to the image.

If you give 6 photographers the assignment to photograph a tree on a hill side each will create a different photo. One may step out of his car and take a photo. It is a record of what he saw when he stepped out of the car. There is no message other than, "I was here".

Another may take photos of the microcosm that is that tree. The bark, a line of ants marching to god knows where.

Another may find an angle that shows a solitary tree on a hill. A statement of perseverance and solitude.

Yet another may find where a seed has taken sprout and is reaching upward while a bough of the tree droops toward the earth. Perhaps a symbol of the circle of life.

And on, and on, each one finding something to say about what he see.

Once you have determined what you want to say about something you choose the techniques that best permit you to make that statement, that communication.

-Dave