articles/Fashion/rollingwiththebigdogt6-page4

Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 6 - part 4 of 1 2 3 4

by Damian McGillicuddy Published 01/08/2010

An interesting side-piece regarding equipment sprang to the forefront a week or two back, when I was having a tidy out. I was going through some magazines, indeed one I used to work on with our esteemed editor, before Professional Imagemaker was but a twinkle. Now these were the days I was getting a double page spread out of 4 megapixels and basically we were dreaming of the nirvana which 6 megapixels would bring...funny old world eh!

Ok, back to the photography....The thing that has amazed me most about my foray into 'vegan' strobism, in other words the barest, most minimal of kit, is the fact that with the right modifier and correct, core camera skills, I genuinely can't differentiate in the images any difference between shots captured with a couple of hundred pounds worth of kit (speed lights) to images created with thousands of pounds worth of gear!

Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying there isn't a place for the more expensive equipment, of course there is, and it would be naive to think anything other, the right level of kit for the right level of job still holds true. However, funny there is always a however, that pared down kit can be used very successfully or even seamlessly if you have the right level of skill and knowledge....Surely its absolutely obvious where your primary investment into photography should be made by now?

The latest and shiniest won't make you the best photographer or the latest award winner, only dedicated learning and its application to your craft will see that. I hate the phrase 'shooting for dough and shooting for show'. How rude! Basically what's being said is its ok to give your client a second rate standard of work than you would do for a competition entry! Let me assure you, the more things I've achieved and the more I've won, the better standard of paying job I've been able to secure. Funny, I've never heard any award winner using that phrase ;0)

Photography is all about knowing! The right equipment, the most meaningful exposure, where to put it, etc, it's never about kit - I know I can shoot a cover on a compact, how?...because I've don it.

OK, so if you've enjoyed the journey that this page has taken you on and you've found some parity in my ramblings do me a favour....Put some time, energy and investment into becoming a better photographer. There are loads of good training out there, just make sure whoever you choose 'walks the walk' and doesn't just 'talk the talk' - go for people that are successful at what they do as well as good at putting the info across. If you want to see what the BIG dog has on offer, feel free to check me out at www. damianmcgillicuddy.com I'd love to see you on a training day.

Until next time I'll leave you with some images shot with the humble speed light to hopefully prove what I'm talking about and, God willing, inspire you all...just a little.

Cheers for now...

• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 6 page 1
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 6 page 2
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 6 page 3
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 6 page 4
  

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