It’s The Subjectives, Stupid

To my readers who are not familiar with American politics, the title is a play on a famous Bill Clinton campaign slogan (“It’s the economy, stupid”) and not meant to offend anyone.

The Internet and trade publications are abuzz with the recent crop of new cameras. I have to admit, I’ve been following very carefully, as fascinated as the next guy, comparing test results, downloading sample images, and reading review after review praising features, resolution, high ISO performance, LCD screen quality, file writing speed, and even HD video! There is no doubt about it: the technology is nothing short of astonishing.

On the opposite end of the scale traditionalists are equally agitated, touting the qualities of their large format film images in a valiant tilt at the digital windmills which, to their chagrin, continue to churn, quite oblivious of their presence.

Both sides have valid arguments (albeit not quite equal relevance) regarding the technical qualities of their chosen equipment, but as with most heated arguments – those most vocal are often the least informed. Few on one side have even a basic familiarity with the other, and on both sides the notion that gear is a means rather than an end is drowned out in the melee. Those who do possess intimate knowledge of both disciplines are often of a different breed: those who, very justly, don’t care – those who are in it simply to make images.

It is, of course, important for photographic images to meet a certain minimum threshold of technical excellence, but really just about any “serious” camera, film or digital, can meet this minimum for most uses and often with room to spare. Experiments conducted multiple times have shown that viewers either don’t value or can’t even tell the differences between prints made with “amateur” equipment vs. high-end “pro” cameras, or between digital capture and film scans. I myself have been complimented by very discerning photographers on the qualities of my 4×5 work in prints originally captured with a DSLR and cropped to 4:5 ratio.

So why is it that the objective measurable qualities of photo equipment get so much more air time than the subjective qualities of an image? Just about anyone will agree that composition and light are more important than megapixels, and that a moving evocative image will still be as moving and evocative regardless of whether it was recorded on film or digital media.

The easy answer is just that: the objectives are easy! Anyone can quote numbers, anyone can be an expert on statistics and specs. It doesn’t require in-depth understanding to regurgitate information, doesn’t take a great spirit, a creative mind, or a real life inspiring experience to make technical assertions. Anyone can gain objective superiority by simply paying for it. The subjectives, however, are not as readily available or easy to come by; they require inherent talent, mature vision, honed skill, and yes – hard work.

And yet, it is my not-so-sad duty to announce to the photographic community: at the end of the day, in that most critical point where you present your work to its audience – it’s the subjectives that really count!

A powerful composition, delicate nuances of light, serendipitous convergences of the elements, a real personal intimate connection with the subject, passion, creativity, and quite often a heaping dose of pure dumb luck are the ingredients of greatness. Capture a subjectively great image with even the lowliest of cameras, and you will run circles around the technocrats.

Art is not and never had been the sole privilege of the rich and, today more than ever, a photographer can meet those minimum technical needs with even a budget camera. The rest is up to your heart and mind. If you’re good enough and hungry enough and creative enough you will produce superior art.

So join me in watching, with great fascination and the occasional wistful yearning, the miracles of technology at work, but don’t let a price tag stand in your way to creating art. You don’t really have to have any of it. It’s nice to know it will be there one day when you do need it, though.

Guy

Category: Rants and Raves, Thoughts and Musings