Of all the prescriptive nonsense I hear about making photographs, the idea that “real photographers shoot on manual” has to be the most tiresome. As if burdening photographers with an even greater sense of obligation to the shoulds and the should-nots has ever led to greater creative freedom, less rigidity in our work, and more powerful photographs.
I’ve heard similar assertions about shooting in RAW (you must). And not cropping or using burst mode (you must not). And not using Photoshop to ___________. You can fill in the blank yourself because here, the so-called purists give us so many options from which to choose, but no matter what you put there, someone is going to put you on their naughty list without ever pausing to ask why you’re doing it differently.
Let’s set aside the notion that there is such a thing as a “real” photographer; you are a photographer if you make photographs. Full stop.
You might be a new photographer or an experienced photographer. You might be a lousy photographer or an inspired photographer. There are probably a million ways to categorize us, but real? As opposed to what? Imaginary? Fake? Is there a point to this kind of thinking? I need a drink.
Well, there is a point, and it’s that some people can only feel as though they are special by putting others down. They can only feel “in” by forcing others out. After all, if we’re all special, then no one is special (also nonsense, but that’s not what this is about. Focus, David!).
I’m not interested in what kind of photographer you are, though I’m interested in you as a photographer. I hope you’re fulfilled and love what you do, and that your photographs are getting stronger and feel more and more like your own.
I’m not overly concerned with how you make your photographs, so long as you’re happy doing it and it’s truly working for you. I shoot in something like full-manual mode with Auto-ISO and a liberal use of EV compensation, so I’m not sure whether or not I’m a real photographer and allowed to weigh in on whether you are or not. But I do know how to use my camera and make it do what I ask. If “real” photographers do anything, it is that.
Here’s my advice: shoot on Manual all the time. Or shoot in Aperture priority sometimes and Shutter priority sometimes. Hell, be reckless and push the dial to P now and then! Do what works for you.
What matters is that you have control of the camera while also being sensitive to the moment and still having the mental bandwidth to think about composition and what the light is doing. Do that.
If you need the camera to do some of the thinking for you while you tend to the decisions that make for stronger compositions, that’s a good choice. One day, that creative thinking will come a little easier, and you might long for a little more control over the camera’s decisions. Or you’ll figure out how you like to use the tools of your craft in your own way.
I like things simple: manual mode with auto-ISO and EV compensation to dial things in more precisely. This works for me for what I do right now.
And so long as I’m confessing my way out of the real photographer’s club:
- I have no idea what my metering mode is and haven’t for over a decade—I just look at the histogram. I could look at my camera and find out, but that knowledge would enrich neither of us.
- I don’t know what my focus mode is. It’s continuous and uses tracking—that’s what I know. It’s what I like, and I never change it (though I know how to do so if I had to). It works for what I photograph and how I like to use a camera.
- I hate straps and have been told that not using one is reckless. A real photographer would at least use a wrist strap, right? I don’t like them, either. They slow me down. I’ll put one on if I have to—if I can find it.
- I’ve been told the same about my indifference to UV filters and lens caps (though you can pry lens hoods from my cold, dead hands).
- More often than not, when I bother to use one at all, my tripod is a little wonky.
- I clean the front of my lens with my shirt, when (and if) I clean it.
- Speaking of cleaning, my sensor often looks like someone spilled kitty litter into my camera while the lens was off, which is not the only reason I tend to shoot wide open, but it’s a reason. I get them cleaned once a year, and that’s enough for me.
- My camera bag can be a mess; the dividers are all over the place, and they change all the time, if I even bother using them. Half the time, I just use a Buff, lens cloth, toque, or a pair of gloves to keep bodies and lenses from banging into each other. If my gear gets banged up, it’s because I’m using it for the purpose for which it is made.
I’d hate to have a real photographer weigh in on any of this. But if you’re going to judge me at all (I’d really rather you didn’t;Â don’t you have photographs you could be making?), then judge me on my photographs.
None of the sins I’ve mentioned gets in the way of creating the photographs I want to make. But fussing would. So would an unexpected lens cap. Or succumbing to the pressure to practice my craft in a way that just isn’t me.
So much of the advice I see aimed at photographers could be gathered up and bound into one volume called Adventures in Missing the Point. There are no real photographers (to the exclusion of others) any more than there is a single right way to do things that qualifies you to be one.
What matters is that you learn to make the kind of photographs you want to make, and to do so with greater creative flow and control. It matters that you be open to new ideas and techniques, but as creative options, not as obligations.
I’m not saying throw your lens caps away or don’t learn to shoot on manual if you think it might give you more control. And, yes, cleaning your lens with your shirt is generally considered less than ideal practice (don’t look at me like that; you do it, too). But I am saying it probably won’t get in the way of you doing the work your soul loves (which I am very much tempted to add is probably the only thing real photographers are universally concerned with).
Think in terms of possibilities, not prescriptions. We’re all trying to create something different, and there can’t possibly be only one path to do so.
For the Love of the Photograph (and those who make them),
David
The biggest challenges for most photographers are not technical but creative.  They are not so much what goes on in the camera but what goes on in the mind of the person wielding it.  Light, Space & Time is a book about thinking and feeling your way through making photographs that are not only good, but truly your own. It would make an amazing gift for the photographer in your life, especially if that’s you. Find out more on Amazon.Â
Comments
David,
I took one of your courses about 20 years ago where we were told “For the next 4 months take 12 pictures in a restricted area. Youdon’t have to show them to anyone.”
What a dumb idea, but I did it. At first I couldn’t see anything. As time passed I continued until I realizedthat I only had 2 weeks to complete the assignment. By the end of that period I realized that I had “begun to see”.
I
At 97 years of age I still very much enjoy my photography and am learning to share my pictures with others.
Thankyou,
Doug
Hello David, this is one of the best articles you’ve ever written! I Love your photographs, although I cringe at some of your personal work habits that you’ve described here. LOL! Keep on shooting!
yours truly,
Lance
Thank you!
Oh. My. Gosh. Full Stop. Reading that just made my day! I would call myself advanced Intermediate if there is such a category. Enough to know what I’m doing and make some pretty good pictures, but humble enough to know there’s things I still need to master. And going to a workshop can be sooooo frustrating. I’d say intimidating but at this point I’ve learned to give the mental middle finger when I’m in a line of photographers shooting a silhouette wishing the brush was somewhere else and in frustration say, “I wish wind would come so I could get some separation from this brush” (as in- let’s not have random stuff touch other stuff so the silhouette isn’t separated from everything) just to hear the assistant/person near me look at me and scrunch her face and sarcastically say, “OOooo separation? What terms some people use to be fancy!”. Which made me want to say things I won’t type here. And then to be admonished for wiping my lens with my shirt. Yes! You said it! You know you have done it too!
For some reason I needed to hear this from you. Even though I know I shouldn’t listen to them and care, it’s hard not to when the ones saying it are very accomplished. It’s so refreshing to have such an accomplished photographer as you say it. Let’s focus on the creativity and if the cameras we usually protect so well are a little banged up, then they can be celebrated along with my pots and pans that no longer shine because they’ve made many meals I’ve shared with loved ones, as I do my photography.
(And less guilt too on repeatedly using a random foam item in a backpack to separate cameras when taking a weekend trip and don’t want to bring the camera bag. “Professional” photographers would be appalled! Funny thing- I’ve done this for years and everything still works like new). Thank you so much, David.
Oh. My. Gosh. Full Stop. Reading that just made my day! I would call myself advanced Intermediate if there is such a category. Enough to know what I’m doing and make some pretty good pictures, but humble enough to know there’s things I still need to master. And going to a workshop can be sooooo frustrating. I’d say intimidating but at this point I’ve learned to give the mental middle finger when I’m in a line of photographers shooting a silhouette wishing the brush was somewhere else and in frustrations say, “I wish wind would come in so I could get some separation from this brush” (as in- let’s not have random stuff touch other stuff so the silhouette isn’t separated from everything) just to hear the person near me look at me and scrunch her face and say sarcastically, “OOooo separation? What terms some people use!”. Which made me want to say things I won’t type here. And then to be admonished for wiping my lens with my shirt. Yes! you said it! You know you all have done it!
For some reason I needed to hear this from you. Even though I knew I shouldn’t listen to them and care, it’s hard not to when the ones saying it are very accomplished. It’s so refreshing to have such an accomplished photographer as you say it. Let’s focus on the creativity and if the cameras we usually protect so well are a little banged up, then they can be celebrated along with my pots and pans that no longer look spotless because they’ve made many meals I’ve shared with loved ones, as I do my photography. (And less guilt too on repeatedly using a random foam item in a backpack to separate cameras when taking a short trip and don’t want to bring the camera bag. “Professional” photographers would be appalled! Funny thing- I’ve done this for years and everything still works like new). Thank you so much, David.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
To all of it, but for me, especially this:
“What matters is that you learn to make the kind of photographs you want to make, and to do so with greater creative flow and control. It matters that you be open to new ideas and techniques, but as creative options, not as obligations.”
I’ve been teaching beginning photography classes and I’ve tried my best to present pros and cons only. The generally accepted, technical pros and cons. And I quote you in nearly every class session. More than anything, I would love for new photographers to love photography, show me how they see the world and become part of a creative community that is supportive and warm and friendly and where you can ask any question about anything art and photography related. Because there’s no such thing as right or wrong or too many photographers.
You are perfect as always! May you continue to succeed in your creative endeavors. Best regards, lifelong amateur photographer Vlado.
I think I needed to read that David thank you. These Velcro bits in my camera bag drive me nuts I can never get them in the right place
David,
A fine rant indeed! With added humour. Excellent. And a point well made. Does the method matter more than the result? Hopefully not.
Your point about how people view the carriers of big gear is something I’ve recently found works both ways. Having recently gone from a trusted Nikon D300 and a much favoured lens with a filter diameter of 77mm to a mirrorless Z50 with a pancake zoom I’m finding that my human subjects are much more relaxed in front of it (physically much smaller and also quieter) but also, for better or worse, people have stopped assuming “Oh, you’re the photographer”.
Long may the results speak louder than the gear…….
Immersed in the vineyards of Italia.
All the best.
Ah gee, someone who agrees with me! How refreshing. A histogram and exposure compensation dial are all the exposure control I need. When I pay a lot for a camera I expect a lot. I expect it to take care of the basics so I can concentrate on my subject and composition. Straps are an accident waiting to happen. Hoods rule. I don’t use protective filters so when the camera is at the bottom of the saddle bag where the gravel and granola flakes settle, I will use a lens cap. When my shirt isn’t handy I have been known to use a real lens cloth. I mean, why go looking for trouble? I take care of my things but wear and dings are inevitable. Those are badges of honor. Camera bag? Say what? I don’t own one. I use whatever – grocery tote, cardboard box, the floor in the back seat of the car, back pack, toss in a hat or towel for padding. Tripods are useful but not very often. I haven’t cleaned a sensor in 13 years because I haven’t seen a dust spot in 13 years. And Photoshop? God gave us Photoshop! It is OK to use it. Really. It is OK to edit your brains out. But it isn’t necessary. So don’t fret about it. Being a bit sloppy and loosey goosey is OK. Pixel by pixel editing – who has that kind of time? Cropping is generally the fastest, cheapest, easiest way to improve a photo. I have rarely met an Auto button that wasn’t useful. As long as I get results I like it is a good-enough photo and it is good-enough editing. Good-enough is good enough. Bottom line – don’t get wrapped around the axle. Sign me – Photographer for 60 years.
Love it! Thanks for writing about the things that really matter.
Sorry I can’t be in Vancouver to say hi – maybe an event on the Island one of these days?
I almost spit my coffee out reading this one. Thank you for being “real” and not judgy about how a thing gets done. Your humor and down to earth words are why I cannot wait to meet you in July.
I was recently in a photo store (of course upgrading) and I overheard two employees laughing at a comment someone made. They were handling a camera with a 600 lens on it. They said whenever they have something like this out people always say “what a great camera” when really it’s what a large lens. But people do see the long lens and immediately think you’re a “good” photographer.
Continually trying to not get wrapped up in the gear chase and your words always help.
Thank you for the affirmation that however we decide to use our camera gear and camera settings that if it works for us we shouldn’t feel the need to justify it or apologize for it. I travel frequently for photography and I always put my lenses in my husband’s mateless terrycloth socks and then roll the sock back down on itself over the lens. Works great.
David:
One of my favourite quotes regarding photography (author unknown, but appreciated) is, “Why is it that if you buy a violin you own a violin but if you buy a camera you’re a photographer?”
I don’t know if that makes me a real photographer or not, but I consider myself a photographer because I have devoted more than fifty years to the understanding and development of my craft. Being a photographer informs how I perceive my world whether or not I have a camera in my hands.
This isn’t about equipment. I like to think that I can make decent images with any of my old SLR, rangefinder, DLR, mirrorless or cell phone cameras. I wouldn’t expect to make the Same images with each; they all have their own particular quirks and idiosyncracies but I understand the elements of photography well enough.
Anyone can pick up a cell phone and snap a pic. I’ve done it. Japanese snow monkeys have done it, birds have done it, even beach crabs have done it. My question is, was that a pic taken to record a moment and/or celebrate a memory or was that a photograph made with purpose and intention?
As a fine art photographer, my images are constructed based on the scene and the light. Yes, I shoot HDR brackets when I feel it necessary. I shoot panoramic brackets as well. Yes, I shoot raw because i want to collect the Most information possible in that split-second of exposure. Yes, I post-process my images to get them to look as close as possible to the vision I have for that moment. No, I don’t do overt manipulations like sky replacement because that’s not my style of work.
Those are a few of My choices. I don’t force them on anyone else. Yes, everyone’s a beginner at first. The smart ones (IMHO) stay that way – always learning.
To me, if you want to be a real photographer, study. Learn about light. It has a language all its own. Learn about colour and movement, the quality of light and how it changes. Learn about composition and framing, about edges and about elements. Study images you like and ask yourself what you like and why. Study images you don’t like and ask yourself what you don’t like and why. Experiment. With digital it’s easy, so long as you understand this moment will never be again.
Learn your camera so that you can get it to do what you need it to do. Learn the software you use (if you do) so that you can get it to do what you need it to do. Should you shoot raw or jpg? Shoot both and compare them for the output you’re creating. Understand the trade-offs
My dad’s old Argus had (IIRC) four f/stops, five shutter speeds, no lightmeter and guess focusing. Most of the time I couldn’t afford film but I took that camera out and made images anyway. That was my beginning place. Yours will be different.
I have read dozens of photography books. Today those have mostly been replaced by videos. No matter. Each is expressing someone else’s view. Take from them what’s important to you. I have looked at thousands of images. Each one means something unique to me in that moment.
That to me is what makes someone a photographer. Oh, and always remrmber Rule #5.
Mike.
I have long accepted that my camera is a couple of orders of magnitude more capable than I am. We have reached a compromise where I do not worry about that; the camera seems happy with that. And so far no complaints form the water, rocks or insects I shoot.
Well said! All those rules are for the pixel peeping nerds. Real pros use any setting, tool, or process they think works or them!
I do think there is difference between a “regular” photographer, one who does not add pixels to the end product, and an “image maker”, one who will composite, add, subtract,smear etc.
I am happy to do both depending on what the subject and purpose of the resulting image needs to be.
Now this is refreshing and inspiring…focus on photos..however you do it.
I can’t agree with you more David. I’ve been a photographer for 50 years now. 20 of which was as a US Navy Photographer (1980-2000). I grew up doing wet photography. My sub-specialty in the Navy was Photographic Process Control…chemistry. But, I didn’t hesitate switching to digital when I was first exposed to it in 1989. No more stained hands from developers or fumbling around in a darkroom. Today, I’m on the Board of Directors of a national military photography organization. We have a very difficult time recruiting the young, active duty combat photographers into our organization because the old-timers are constantly bad-mouthing them on social media. “They are not ‘Real Photographers’ because they use digital cameras and software for processing images.” “It’s not real photography because it’s not wet.” It makes me crazy. The camera and method of processing images are just tools. It’s the creative mind behind the camera that tells the story through photography. Is a writer any better or any worse because he or she uses an ink pen, or typewriter, or computer? Anyway, your post hit close to home for me. It’s been a thorn in my side for about 10 years now.
By the way:
I shot manual with Auto ISO.
I don’t use a camera strap.
I hate tripods and the one I own is an aluminum rather than a $1000 Gitzo carbon fiber.
I never use UV filters.
I use an old outdated Sony A7ii camera with rubber pieces glued back on. (Although I hope to upgrade to an A1ii soon)
So…guess I’m not a real photographer either.
Glad you got that off your chest David and appreciate that folks found it helpful as well.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Maranatha!
Those additional “confessions” had me. Felt and practice pretty much every one of them. 🙏
From one real photographer to another – thank you!
Love this article. Possibilities over rules every time! By the way, I have been saving Light, Space and Time for the right time and started working my way through it last week. Inspiring and thoughtful. Many thanks
You speak my language!
1. Enjoy your essays very much.
2. I enjoy all of your books, which I own and have read and contemplated. A little money to you as thanks for both books and essays.
3. Pet peeve: I recently received a birthday card. Photograph was of a wolf crossing a stream. Background was a blazing sunset, with the sun clearly visible directly behind the wolf. Yet the wolf was brightly illuminated…lit from the camera side. In short, the lighting was all wrong. It looked like a cardboard image of a wolf was placed into a landscape shot. I suppose we could find examples of this atrocious lighting back in the days of burning and dodging, but it’s far more prevalent now with Photoshop, Lightroom, et al. Travel ads are full of this sort of thing…fluorescent cities and artificially glowing landscapes. Look at a photo magazine from 30 or 40 years ago; the photos are fundamentally different, and in many instances look more realistic. I know…some will say photos are art, and we’ve always manipulated the images. But artificially glowing wolves?
Thanks for freeing us from the many overly restrictive rules that get in the way of having fun. I’ve enjoyed learning from your articles, books, photos, and presentations.
Sadly, I must point out one restrictive exception to your encouraging list of freedoms. Although I live a comfortable life style with a “good camera and lenses”, my budget dictates that lens caps, protective filters, bag dividers, proper cleaning cloths, and lens hoods are a part of my routine to maintain my equipment for many years of fun and rewarding amateur photography. But, this is a small price to pay as a “real” photographer.
David,
Help me understand something you said related to Manual Mode with Auto-ISO and EV compensation. What does the EV compensation change, since Aperture and Shutter Speed is set? How does this impact auto-ISO vs just using Auto-ISO and no EV compensation?
Good morning, David, and thank you again for another great article; love reading them every week and have not yet been disappointed there’s always a chance but hasn’t happened yet!). Our camera club also watched your video last week and loved it also. Hey, I have your recent book (and a few much older ones) so guess I am a fan.
If the stars align I will also try to drive into Vancouver (if it’s not pouring rain, if I have enough energy left at the end of the day, and if I can get someone to come along with me for the long drive). Regardless, just wanted to personally thank you for all you do to stay in touch with your ‘community’. Your regular columns definitely resonate with me and I very much appreciate reading them. Thanks again,
I really appreciated this essay as it made me feel so much better about my tendencies and techniques, and gave me permission to move forward without “guilt”. Once again you inspire me!
Faithful reader,
Dana
Well said!!