Don’t Forget Your Digital SLR By Justin Mott

Disclaimer: I admit to either currently owning or at one point in my life possessing a Holga, Leica, and a Hassleblad and I can not confirm or deny allegations that at one point in my life I’ve gaffer taped them all together to create one mega camera.

I think we can all admit the market for photographers is pretty saturated. Overall competition is a good thing, definitely fuels creativity if you are an ambitious person. I think it can also fuel misguided purchases and misguided attempts. It might be a new toning technique, using a vintage camera, tilting the camera, or only shooting with a tilt shift lens. Whatever it is many of us are trying to get our work to stand out.

Maybe you’re the photographer who only uses point and shoot cameras or works exclusively with high grain film or maybe you shoot only with a Holga with one arm tied behind their back. Me personally I’ve started experimenting with shooting a Holga through a Leica and out a trombone using a series of custom made prisms.  I have to tweak a few things but it’s almost there.

Before anyone gets sensitive on me I believe in having a unique style that works for each individual or for a specific project.  I also believe in experimenting and keeping your work fresh.  I have the utmost respect for photographers who can pull off certain techniques and often jealous I didn’t think of it first. While it works sometimes over the past year I’ve been subjected to a lot of really bad project attempts using these novelty techniques so I decided to write about this. I’m seeing more novelty type work and less powerful stories. If you’re not familiar with Brenda Ann Kenneally’s work check it out. It’s powerful and raw without using any gimmicks.

http://www.brendakenneally.com/

I’m not sure who appointed me the Sherrif on this topic but my point is don’t forget your Digital SLR. I’m not saying to give up experimenting, quite the contrary. I just want to remind people not to be ashamed of their normal camera and normal lens, just go take a good snap or tell a good story.

Canon didn’t pay me to write this blog but I will accept their money or sponsorship if they offer.

www.canonusa.com

posted by admin on Aug 2nd, 2010 in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »