One of my favorite things to do when taking photos is to show people the images I just made while I’m making them, usually followed by my favorite response, a giant smile combined with a “OMG I Love that photo!” About 50% of the time however, that comment is followed by; “You have a great camera!”.

“You have a Great Camera”… REALLY??

After years of training, practicing and education, learning composition, lighting, color theory, apurture, ISO, shutter speed, posing, framing and so so so much more I feel slightly taken aback every time I hear someone say “Wow that is a great camera!”

In case you were wondering, complementing a photographers camera instead of the photographer is like:

Telling a Chef you love the meal and she must have amazing pots and pans.

Telling your accountant he did a good job, you must have a great calculator.

Telling a Marathon Winner she must have awesome shoes.

Telling a teacher he must have great pencils.

Telling a painter she must have really good paint brushes.

Telling a carpenter she must have a great hammer.

I’m sure you get it by now. The camera is a tool that photographers use to create amazing photos. And OBVIOUSLY without amazing Cameras photographers wouldn’t be able to take amazing photos!

Putting it to the Test

For this test I’m using the top-rated Camera on earth: The Sony A7rii

To test this theory out, I went ahead and put my camera, the Sony A7rii, on a tripod, turned it on and waited for it to take an incredible photo of me. It didn’t happen, so I thought to myself; OF COURSE! The camera can’t push the button by itself!! So I set the self-timer on the camera expecting to see an amazing photo produced, this is what I got:

Shot with a $4,100.00 Camera

Did this result surprise you? After hearing all of those people tell me what a great job my camera did taking their photo I was kind of shocked to find out that for some reason it took a lousy photo when I left it on it’s own.

Ok, obviously that’s sarcastic. The camera has next-to-nothing to do with how great a photo is or can be. The results any given camera can get are 100% dependent on how good the photographer is, not the other way around.

With that being said, like any chef, runner, accountant, painter or carpenter a good Photographer is going to use the best tools they can get their hands on to do their work. There are MANY reasons to use high-end and low-end gear. I know photographers who use decades-old camera’s and lenses they bought at thrift stores for next to nothing because they want to produce images with a VERY specific look and feel. I know photographers who ONLY use cell phones to take insanely great photos.

The old adage goes: “the best camera is the one you have on you” and while you may often see me argue that point with something like: “sure, but make sure you have the right camera on you” the point remains: The camera is just a tool and on it’s own, or in the hands of someone who isn’t a good photographer even the most expensive and high-end gear can’t produce great images.

So please, stop saying “Wow you have such a great camera” and start saying: “Wow, you are such a great photographer”. It’s the same compliment, just aimed at the right target.

About The Author:

Jonathan Edwards owns Contention Media, a Photo & Film production Service located in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. You can find us online at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contentionmedia/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitededitionjonathan/

Website: www.contentionmedia.com

Phone: (570)702–4991

email: jon@contentionmedia.com