Equipment Buying is Stressful.

Bill Vincent · August 27th, 2009, 07:14 PM

Jason, I totally agree with you on improving technique. You can't ever get enough in the way of learning/training, and that is really the key, because equipment comes and goes - but your skills are the consistent link in your product.

You can rent the best equipment available, but if you don't have the skills to use it properly it's not going to make much difference in the quality of your product. I think the trick is to get the best equipment you can afford - make sure it is good enough quality that you don't have to worry about it screwing up all the time - and then focus on using it to the best of your ability.

Dave Blackhurst · August 27th, 2009, 07:34 PM

Wise words, Jason -

I buy and sell gear so I can keep up with the newer toys (at least the not too expensive ones!), but ultimately the camera can't make you a better shooter.

There are some things that will permanently improve your production quality - better tripod if you shoot that way, support rig (DVMultiRig or other stabilizer) if you prefer "handheld" or mobile shooting, good audio, and light augmentation for the appropriate situations, but really the critical component is the nut behind the camera!

Ultimately it's the content that matters, and how well you capture and edit those moments.

It's easy to get caught up in gear envy, but if you always remember "Content is King" it helps maintain perspective.

The bride and groom won't care how many chips your camera has, or how many megapixels, or how impressive your depth of focus was, whether your camera flew through the shot, or that the footage is a little grainy or even perhaps a teeny bit "off", color or focus wise... They WILL care whether you captured the essence of the day and the people they care about in a way that makes them smile deep down, shed a tear, remember, and relive a wonderful day...

Anthony J. Howe · August 28th, 2009, 01:31 AM

The equipment you buy, particularly professional equipment is expensive. So you want to get it right when you purchase, so research and reviewing equipment and buying can become stressful. Nice when the new toy arrives, but then there is the learning curve especially if it's a complicated piece of equipment and this includes the software you purchase. Also you need to be balanced what you buy as this needs to be reflected in your costing for your events/weddings etc, that you charge.
And if your a one man band, then there is the preparation, shooting, editing until your final product is finished, all can be stressful, but when you get it right and the time and effort you put into it, the finished product becomes your masterpiece and it makes the stress seem all worthwhile.

August 27th, 2009, 07:14 PM	#16
Bill Vincent Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 253	Jason, I totally agree with you on improving technique. You can't ever get enough in the way of learning/training, and that is really the key, because equipment comes and goes - but your skills are the consistent link in your product. You can rent the best equipment available, but if you don't have the skills to use it properly it's not going to make much difference in the quality of your product. I think the trick is to get the best equipment you can afford - make sure it is good enough quality that you don't have to worry about it screwing up all the time - and then focus on using it to the best of your ability.

August 27th, 2009, 07:34 PM	#17
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Wise words, Jason - I buy and sell gear so I can keep up with the newer toys (at least the not too expensive ones!), but ultimately the camera can't make you a better shooter. There are some things that will permanently improve your production quality - better tripod if you shoot that way, support rig (DVMultiRig or other stabilizer) if you prefer "handheld" or mobile shooting, good audio, and light augmentation for the appropriate situations, but really the critical component is the nut behind the camera! Ultimately it's the content that matters, and how well you capture and edit those moments. It's easy to get caught up in gear envy, but if you always remember "Content is King" it helps maintain perspective. The bride and groom won't care how many chips your camera has, or how many megapixels, or how impressive your depth of focus was, whether your camera flew through the shot, or that the footage is a little grainy or even perhaps a teeny bit "off", color or focus wise... They WILL care whether you captured the essence of the day and the people they care about in a way that makes them smile deep down, shed a tear, remember, and relive a wonderful day...

August 28th, 2009, 01:31 AM	#18
Anthony J. Howe Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 55	The equipment you buy, particularly professional equipment is expensive. So you want to get it right when you purchase, so research and reviewing equipment and buying can become stressful. Nice when the new toy arrives, but then there is the learning curve especially if it's a complicated piece of equipment and this includes the software you purchase. Also you need to be balanced what you buy as this needs to be reflected in your costing for your events/weddings etc, that you charge. And if your a one man band, then there is the preparation, shooting, editing until your final product is finished, all can be stressful, but when you get it right and the time and effort you put into it, the finished product becomes your masterpiece and it makes the stress seem all worthwhile.