Happy Sunday :) This post is a bit different than what I typically share but it is something that I thought would be helpful to some of you (& maybe keep some extra $$ in your pocket) ;)
I regularly receive emails asking me about my gear… what camera do I use, what are my favorite lenses, etc. And while I do feel whole-heartedly that you should spend lots of time & care picking your gear (it’s a big investment and YES- lens choice will effect how your images ‘look’), I don’t think that is what ‘makes’ a photographer take good pictures. What I do believe is that a good photographer can take any camera, figure out how to work it (reading the manual goes a long way) and take an good photograph.
I saw a message on Twitter yesterday that got me thinking and gave me the push to go grab my original Rebel and 50 1.4 out of the closet to play. It was a message saying that my pictures made them want to upgrade their DSLR. If you are reading this, PLEASE don’t feel like I am calling you out!! It is a totally legitimate ‘wish’ but my gut reaction was “NOOoooo… don’t go spend all that money!!” haha And this is why…
This was literally about two minutes outside and less than 10 frames with the gear that I started on 7 years ago (This is the original Rebel. All 6 megapixels of it. My iPhone now beats it out- haha).
Now, granted these aren’t jaw dropping images but I think you would agree that they are sharp, high quality and, other than some hard core experts out there, you would be hard pressed to tell if these are from a Rebel, a 5D or anything in between. I also want to note that I used the 50 1.4. I normally shoot with L glass… had I used one of those lenses I am sure you would find it even harder to notice any difference from my 5D.
So, the moral of the story is that you should use the equipment that you have to its full extent before you need to upgrade (unless money isn’t an issue.. then I say go for it! heck you can even throw a little something in there for me if ya want) ;) Seriously though, upgrades should be a necessity. I know that (obviously) 6 MP won’t blow up nearly as nice for a poster/billboard as 21 MP does… and I do love the extra room and feel that my full frame sensor gives me… being able to shoot low light with less noise… most of these things aren’t necessities for your average portrait photographer though. Decent light, a semi-willing subject and about the lowest end DSLR you can get your hands on is all I needed to make these happen.
So get out there and play… show everyone that it isn’t your camera that makes you amazing… it’s YOU that makes you amazing ;)
xoxo ~S
and the cute little hat clip is by the lovely Maya’s Curls. Use them as barrettes, hat pins, brooches… LOVE how fun, beautiful and versatile her pieces are :)
Kelly: Nice Shannon! And so true. Good glass esp. does make a difference but some of my favourite shots of mine we shot with my 40D and 50 1.4 (that's a sharp lens!) Next dare... do this with a disposable ; ) (11.07.2011 12:58am)
Ellie A.: I have a Nifty Fifty although I have the 1.8 I so do love that lens one day I will upgrade to the 1.4 because I have seen magic w/images w/it. I actually upgraded to a 50D as a early bday gift to myself & its fun to see what I have started to do. I know its not the camera you have but the photographer who makes the picture but it sure is fun to have a new toy! You inspired me to take a trip downtown w/the kids & see what I can capture maybe I'll find a quiet cool spot Ha :) That's what I asked the kids to give me as a Bday gift next weekend hehehe. Sneaky Mama I am! (11.07.2011 01:07am)
Heather F: I love this post and I believe every word of it! I love my 50 and I also have the 1.8 like Ellie mentioned and I shoot with a Sony a550 {gasp} I know I know its NOT a canon LOL I was a big Minolta girl back in high school so I got sucked into Sony and I am saving like crazy for the full frame. Can I just say you have the most beautiful kids...seriously...gorgeous :) (11.07.2011 01:42am)
Paige Anderson: I saved and saved so I could get the best I could afford. I love my Nikon D700. I'll be hard pressed to upgrade anytime soon. Honestly, though, your talent speaks volumes above the equipment you use. You are truly an artist. (11.07.2011 01:42am)
shawna [of styleberryBLOG]: I'm sharing this on my FB fan page & it makes me wish I'd kept my rebel to do the same experiment. I love this idea! :) It's totally not your gear. It helps sometimes...but I love what you said! (11.07.2011 02:04am)
Suzanne: I had a pro photographer say to me recently, "You're shooting with a Rebel?" in utter shock. Having said that, I have since upgraded to a 7D as my Rebel died on me. (11.07.2011 02:10am)
Tara S.: I love this post. You're amazing :) (11.07.2011 02:32am)
Juliet Carey: Your kids are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!! You ROCK! Love these :) (11.07.2011 02:44am)
Yolanda: Thanks for making me feel not-so-bad about running my business on a Rebel. We all know intellectually that better equipment doesn't make us better artists, but it be easier to look at the shortcomings in our gear than the shortcomings in our skills. (11.07.2011 02:45am)
Kelsey Gerhard: Yay. Awesome... love it! (11.07.2011 02:49am)
janice: Being a non-photographer - I KNOW this is true. I laugh because you and I could be standing right next to each other taking pictures of the same thing, using the same cameras. Your shot would be amazing and mine would suck. I have a point and shoot Canon Elph (that probably horrifies real photogs, but I LOVE it), but even when the husband and I both use his nicer Nikon: he takes great pics and I take really bad ones. I can vouch: it has NOTHING AT ALL to do with the camera. It has to do with the person behind it...and YOU'RE AMAZING, Ms. Sewell. (11.07.2011 03:51am)
Paul: Totally agree Shannon. Several years ago I shot some pictures of a guy in a band, in the studio with exactly the same camera you used here. Admittedly with the 70-200L 2.8 (the original one), without any Photoshop help, no rezzing up at all we output to a 44inch Epson printer at larger than life size. The results were taped to the studio wall for comment, every single person that saw those images was blown away including me! The result.....I became a digital convert that day :) Cheers from Down Under! (11.07.2011 05:46am)
equipment | jenny collier – tulsa photographer - jenny collier photography blog: [...] http://shannonsewell.com/theblankpage/2011/11/07/yeah-im-working-to-make-butter-for-my-piece-of-bun/ equipment | jenny collier – tulsa photographer · November 7, 2011 · 8:34 am · random [...] (11.07.2011 01:34pm)
Kathy Carlisle: WELL SAID:..and DONE;) (11.07.2011 04:25pm)
Laura: Love this. As someone who can NEVER afford new equipment, I try to live by the "its not the camera, its the artist" motto. So I like to think I'm not missing out on something because I'm not shooting with the "best" camera :) Beautiful shots! (11.07.2011 09:34pm)
stephanie mcbride: see. that is what i love most about you. so willing to give a helping hand. love the pointers. made my day. i actually dug out my 50 and dusted it off and had some fun with it. thanks for helping us rethink. you're a gem:) (11.07.2011 10:14pm)
crave photography: Started out with a Canon Rebel too! I feel the same way. It's the person behind the camera that either can or can't make things happen. Study, study, practice, practice!! (11.07.2011 10:28pm)
Pam Burke: Very well said. I still shoot with my Olympus E510 even though I have a Canon 7D and it feels so right. I'm still learning and appreciate your tips! (11.08.2011 12:58am)
christina: WORD. (11.08.2011 08:18pm)
AmyHall: Preach it sister! I re shared on fb coz it's dat good! Makes me wanna bust out my Ricoh manual flim camera asap! (11.10.2011 12:10am)
Mindy: my friend sent me this post because I've been debating about upgrades too. Thanks for reminding us that it's not about the gear, it's about us making it work. I think the middle shot is beautiful! (11.10.2011 03:05pm)
zalaine: You are so right! Took me a long time to really see it an da bit longer to believe it. Thank you for encouraging us... (11.11.2011 03:53am)
elizabeth pellette: well said.. I agree its not so much the gear as what you can do with it..and the way you see the world. (11.16.2011 10:19pm)
Maya C.: May I ask how much was done in post here? Great images and I agree with every word in this well written article, but I also find PS an art of it's own as well. I love my Rebel too, as many of the comments have agreed on and chose the glass before the upgrade on the body :) I am getting her out right now with side kick 50 1.4 !!!! I have seen SO many pro's shoot with Rebels, both old and newer models, and their work is pro! I will be sharing this article with friends who think my 5D is why I take the images I do! I am curious to know your post process and see SOOC. Thanks :) (11.26.2011 05:50pm)
SS: hey maya- trying to email you but it keeps bouncing back :( same processing as everything I do... flourish actions color pop & a defog.. that's all! super simple & fast :) (11.27.2011 12:55am)