The Gearhead Diaries Part 2 – The Photographic Equation

It’s a strange scenario really.

You have in your possession equipment that, in the right hands would be able to create wonderful imagery. Yet, you’re stuck with the notion that you need that professional level lens or camera body to improve your photography. Images not sharp enough, or there’s not enough bokeh… etc.

Granted, yes, the professional level lens and camera will likely give you the two items above, but will it mean your images will look better? Questionable.

I remember some time back a friend of mine came up with a simple formula to calculate how good a shot is based on a variety of factors. I’ve since refined it.

If my memory serves me right, here it is:

Image Quality = 20% Camera Body + 30% Camera Lenses & Accessories + 40% Technique/Skill/Composition + 20% Post Processing Ability

Yes I do realise that my math doesn’t end up to 100%, but it is purposely designed as so. Now what the above equation is meant to illustrate is that even with the most professional camera in the world and the world’s sharpest lenses, you really only come up to:

20% Camera Body (eg. D3/D700/5D Mark II)

+ 30% Camera Lenses & Accessories (eg. 70-200 f/2.8 IS/VR)

= 50% Good Image

Let’s have another look at the equation. So say now you give a point and shoot camera to a professional photographer.

5% Camera Body (eg. Canon Ixus)

+ 10% Camera Lens & Accessories (eg. Simple tripod + appropriate focal length)

+ 40% Skill/Technique/Composition

+ 20% Post Processing Ability

= 75% Good Image

Yes, the image may not be technically the best shot possible. But hey, it beats having the best gear in the world and knowing nuts about things like spot metering, white balance control and +ve/-ve compensation.

I’ve been privileged to be in the company of close friends and fellow photographers who are able to take images that could put people with 3-4x the investment to shame. And the beauty of it is their photographic enthusiasm. They no longer drool over the latest and greatest gear. That my friends, is something I believe I can learn from as well.

Food for thought…

The Gearhead Diaries

Part 1 – The Warning Signs
Part 2 – The Photographic Equation
Part 3 – The Need For Speed & Bokeh
Part 4 – To Be Continued