Dec. 2000
President's
Message
Equipment Isn't Everything
Equipment Isn't Everything
- Lynn Maniscalco
For beginning photographers who sometimes mistakenly assume that experienced photographers take better pictures because they have better equipment, I’d like to pass on a comment from Steven Frischling, Chief Photographer of the Brattleboro Reformer. “When I was out for the day, with the bag of goodies at home, I saw a rope rescue in progress off a mountain ledge, and shot a really nice photo with a simple Pentax point-n-shoot that my better half had in the diaper bag for baby pix. I have had a USA Today cover photo shot with a little digital point-n-shoot, and recently had a photo in Newsweek shot with a point-n-shoot. I think it is more the photographer than the equipment. Actually I am pretty damn sure it is HOW you see, not what you see THROUGH!” So, don't be too quick to blame a lack of success on inadequate equipment. I, too, have taken pictures used in the paper, as well as exhibition winners, with my pocket camera. Always remember, although special equipment can give you more options, how you see is the most important consideration in making good images.