Post 72: Why the equipment doesn't matter

It doesn't happen often, but every now and then, a client will ask me "what equipment do you use?" This is a question that has always kind of annoyed me, and I never really understood why it matters.

I assume that the client is thinking that the more expensive the equipment, the better the photographer, but any photographer knows (or should, at least) there's nothing further from the truth. I know for a fact that there isn't going to be a noticeable difference in my technique or knowledge if I'm using an entry level DSLR or a flagship DSLR. People should be looking at the work and end product, not the tools that were used. If someone sees work they like, then that's all that should matter.

Before I was a photographer, I was a musician, and one thing that musicians and photographers both have a serious case of is G.A.S., or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. There is always something new or better to be purchased that won't make the musician's/photographer's skills better, but they tell themselves it will, buy whatever item they want, and then move on to the next thing. There's always a better lens or better camera that I think I need that will make my photos better, but not too long ago, I came to a realization. I realized that, for the most part, the client probably won't be able to tell the difference between a $500 lens and a $2,000 lens (maybe even the difference between a kit lens and a pro lens). For example, the difference between a Nikon 85mm 1.8G and a Nikon 85mm 1.4 to a client is that one lens is bigger than the other. Does this realization help my GAS? No; not even slightly, but it's something to take into consideration if you're a photographer.

If I had the money to buy all of the best glass available, I would in a second. But, like most photographers, this isn't the case, and knowing that the client probably won't be able to tell a difference helps to keep me from dropping serious amounts of money every couple of days. *




*Please note, this doesn't mean that I think you should necessarily run around with a kit lens for paid work. Lenses are the most important part of a camera system, and better glass is likely to yield better results. Also, better equipment does make life easier.