In an earlier post, I discussed my decision to upgrade my camera body to that of the Canon 5d Mark II. So I pondered, when should someone upgrade their camera body or any photography equipment for that matter? I have concluded there are three basic criteria (knowledge, technical limitation, and financial gain) that should be considered before one makes an investment in any photography equipment. The attribute of knowledge is the first of these criteria that I will discuss.

Knowledge

Equipment in and of itself will not make anyone a better photographer or for that matter a compelling photograph. “Compelling” begins to form when the photographer uses his skill and knowledge of photographic principles to compose and direct an image.

When I’m ready to make a photograph, I think I quite obviously see in my mind’s eye something that is not literally there in the true meaning of the word. I’m interested in something which is built up from within, rather than just extracted from without.

-Ansel Adams

Are you “just extract[ing] from without?” Why spend thousands of dollars on a pro camera which will be parked in automatic mode? Those expensive pro cameras have never included a “compelling” button for adjusting the lighting, composition, color, and emotion to create the perfect image. It will, however, provide similar results to that of an entry level D-SLR or compact camera’s auto feature. So realize that you, the photographer, adjusts and constructs lighting, shifts the composition, dictates color tones, and captures emotion. The camera and photography equipment are just tools to provide the means to an end product of the image that you, the photographer, create.

Bad metaphor alert:
Why buy an Indy 500 race car only to drive in rush hour traffic on I95? To pick up the ladies, of course! Although with only one seat in that Indy car, I doubt there will be any “picking up.” Same goes for photography equipment; it might get the attention of clients (”ladies”) and could possibly put a couple of clients in front of your camera, but that “Indy car” attention wears off quickly when your images have only “one seat” and aren’t compelling.

So if you “…see in [your] mind’s eye something that is not literally there…” and you have the skill and knowledge to build it “up from within” and portray that vision, then it might be worth your money to invest in new and/or better equipment. If, with your current equipment, your vision does not equate to that which was captured on the camera, then spend your money improving your photography by taking classes, workshops, reading books, researching the internet, and, most of all, practicing before you upgrade. Once your vision is equal to the images produced on the camera, then consider upgrading your photography equipment.

Grace and Peace.