DSLR Syndrome - an opinion

[DonSchap]

One of the things that I have noticed in the past five years is that when a person (whomever) chooses to own a DSLR, they actually tend to become a “more interested” person in creating better art. I’m not sure what it is with the convenience of a P&S camera, but it tends to make the shooter less critical and a bit more cavalier in what they shoot. Now, this, of course, is not a “broad brush paint job”, there are people who definitely do not fit this mold and I am not speaking to that segment of the community.

But, when a person actually makes that transition to a DSLR … I think it comes with a certain ‘maturity’, if you will, that it is going to take more than just lifting the camera and pressing the shutter release. That person is in it for more than just a casual memory, but more for the actual improvement of what event is being photographed and eventually represented.

Again, this is not a paint job, but just an observation. Consider a casual “Joseph Blow” walking towards you … who has a P&S dangling from his wrist. Ask yourself : “Serious or not?”

Now, same dude … has a DSLR strapped up around his neck and a lens bag on his shoulder. “Serious or not?”

C’mon, be honest. Okay, Scene change. You’re at a wedding … seems like everyone had a “purse camera” with them, right? But what happens when someone breaks out a DSLR? People back up, don’t they? Questions pop from people who are just amazed at what they are seeing. A certain level of respect is created … because people know that an investment in quality has taken place. When is the last time you saw someone lean over and ask, "Uh, what kind of Point & Shoot is that?"

In the end … who takes the better shot? Personally, I don’t know … but, my money is probably on the DSLR shooter. I’ve seen some work from a few of those cameras and the people who are behind them … and I am kind of impressed.

[JTL]

One of the things that I have noticed in the past five years is that when a person (whomever) chooses to own a DSLR, they actually tend to become a “more interested” person in creating better art.

Really? It's been my experience that when most people decide to own a DSLR it's a supreme waste of money that winds up sitting on a closet shelf collecting dust after the novelty wears off...or when the realization sets in that a DSLR isn't some sort of "magic" picture taking machine that suddenly causes the user to start producing great images and that it will, in fact, require a quantum leap of commitment over their previous P&S camera...

But...please...keep on buying, folks...because as long as you continually keep funding the camera companies, people like me get to have better and better tools...

[DonSchap]

But...please...keep on buying, folks...because as long as you continually keep funding the camera companies, people like me get to have better and better tools...

Man, you have that right. A "controlled flow", reducing the overall costs. A cynically honest approach to consumerism. Screw the art, eh?

[jedinite]

With the relatively lower cost of owning a DSLR nowadays, I believe there's a lot more people that buy one thinking that it will dramatically increase the quality of images they take and some believe they will become amazing photographers. For some this is true, for many it is not. Sadly, like JTL said, many DSLR owners tend to leave their cameras in the closets collecting dust until a big event comes up, then magically they transform into these great photographers that will be catching spectacular images. I know because I have tried to get many of my friends that own DSLRs out for photo-walks, to go out for a day on the weekend to shoot a topic or subject, and mostly people seem uninterested or too busy to make time to do it.

I on the other hand carry my camera nearly EVERYWHERE I go. I don't care that body, two lenses, accessories and flash weigh me down an extra 10lbs. To have my camera with me so I can shoot something I see inspiration in is what I live for. I've not yet taken my 10,000 photos so I'm very much still in the process of learning to become a very good photographer. But when I look at my images I can tell you what I did wrong, how I can improve it next time and what my intentions were. I'm not an accidental artist, nor do I carry a DSLR around for attention (many DSLR owners do). I have a real passion for images, I could spend days looking at photos and reading photography books and never get bored of it.

Next time a friend or family member asks you about picking up a DSLR ask them, what do they really want out of it? If it's to get sharper images, more vibrant colors in family event photos or even just stuff they want to take pictures of, recommend them a really good P&S. If they tell you that they are looking to get into the business of photography, or want to hang stuff on the wall, recommend them to a class and lend them a DSLR if you can. If they have a true passion for taking photos and want to invest time and money to learn not only how to take photos, but to post-process them, then recommend them a good kit within their budget and software to go along with it. If they are merely planning on taking a photo then printing it or publishing it on then they don't need a DSLR, they need a good point and shoot and guidance on how to improve their skills at taking images.

[GaryS]

I'm kinda with JTL on this.... I have friends who have looked at my photos, then ask what kind of camera I have and then plan to run out to buy one. I'm always saying "STOP! It takes an incredible amount of work and effort to take good photos. If you want to learn, bring the camera you have out Sunday morning at sunrise, and I'll help you take some great photos". But of course, they never come out at sunrise and the next time I see them they have a dslr. Which I never see again after they show it off to me.

Everyone things it's the camera...

[Csae]

That might of been true a while ago, but there are alot of P&S who look like dslrs, so now this only applies when the dslr owner also pulls out a big fat L lens.

Considering the amount of people buying low-end dslrs, i think most are interested in just taking shots at a better % then their P&S.

What i've noticed is alot more people who are interesting in photography are focusing more and more on the technical aspects of it then the artistic aspect.

You'll see about 100 guys critically working on their focus, sharpness, and about 5 working on an artistic photo with feeling or a message to it.

Lol garry its so true, i think the example that jumped to my mind the soonest after reading that is how i did a couple partys and everyone was telling me my flash was pointing the wrong way, and of course after the pictures came out everyone congratulated my camera. XD

[JTL]

Man, you have that right. A "controlled flow", reducing the overall costs. A cynically honest approach to consumerism. Screw the art, eh?

Leave the art to the artists. An artist knows they are an artist and doesn't need a DSLR or any specific "thing" to know it. A DSLR has nothing in and of itself to do with creative ability. A DSLR is just a tool, a means of expression to an artist. People who buy a DSLR thinking it will make them an "artist" and turn them into a "creative" person need therapy, not a DSLR. It's the other way around...the artist/creative individual finds a means of expression...for some that may be a DSLR...

But why bring up "art" anyway? There are plenty of people who use and love cameras and picture taking who have no artistic aspirations whatsoever. They want to record the moments of their lives and their loved ones lives. And that's just as important as "art". For some of them a DSLR is the right tool...for those high school gym shots...for those quickly moving toddler shots. But, the sad truth is for every one person who gets good at it, there are dozens...perhaps hundreds who never will. And for them, maybe it doesn't matter that their "disposable income" went toward a twice-yearly used, never fully understood DSLR.

And yes, I'm glad for rampant consumerism. And I'm glad that the camera companies confuse the $hit out of consumers and talk them into buying things they think they need. I'm just a selfish bastard in the end. As far as I'm concerned, the more money to the camera companies, the better. But, don't delude yourself into thinking that the current DSLR wave is creating "artists". All it's doing is creating a bigger avalanche than ever of poorly taken photographs and a lot of dust collecting cameras!

Cynical honesty? Reality bites...hard!

C’mon, be honest. Okay, Scene change. You’re at a wedding … seems like everyone had a “purse camera” with them, right? But what happens when someone breaks out a DSLR? People back up, don’t they? Questions pop from people who are just amazed at what they are seeing. A certain level of respect is created … because people know that an investment in quality has taken place. When is the last time you saw someone lean over and ask, "Uh, what kind of Point & Shoot is that?"

We've all seen this happen...in fact it's happened personally to a fair amount of folks on this very site...but, the fact is, the reaction and "respect" is delusional and based on mythology and ignorance, not reality.

Let me ask this, which do you think would be better...to have someone like Dennis Reggie or Jerry Ghionis with an instamatic camera photographing your wedding or Joe Newbie with his spanking new DSLR?

Now, same dude … has a DSLR strapped up around his neck and a lens bag on his shoulder. “Serious or not?”

Well, that depends. If it's a Sony...I start rolling on the floor laughing...

[TheWengler]

Lol garry its so true, i think the example that jumped to my mind the soonest after reading that is how i did a couple partys and everyone was telling me my flash was pointing the wrong way, and of course after the pictures came out everyone congratulated my camera. XD

From www.whattheduck.net

[GaryS]

Or:

Your computer writes really great software....

[JTL]

LOL! I'm reminded of my first real job...as a copy writer...trying to explain it to people...

"You mean you draw the pictures?"
"No, I write the words."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you see all these words?"
"Yes."
"Well, someone has to write them."
"And that's it?"

Man, I tell you, nothing makes you want to choke the life out of someone more than that! See, they know they can't draw, so that must take some magic "talent". But, heck, anyone/everyone can write down words! Right?

So, because of all those who couldn't distinguish between typing and writing...it's no surprise to me that people believe the camera does all the work...