mike hawkins – images

Like computers, digital SLR cameras are evolving at an astonishing rate. Again, like with computers, it is easy to fall into the “must upgrade” trap. Of course this is precisely what manufacturers intend when they add features, improve certain aspects of performance and extol the benefits of gadgetry that you never knew you needed – but now it exists you realise that your life, up till now, has been unfulfilled. Fair enough, the camera producers need to make money to stay in business, research and development doesn’t come cheap. But, does having the very latest equipment make you a better photographer? Does a massive array of lenses and gadgets ensure that your images will rival the great professionals? Erm…no!

Nikn D40x with kit lens

Good photos come from the ability to recognise the right time, place, angle, composition and action to capture. That does not necessitate the possession of state of the art equipment, it requires either an innate talent or a lot of practice. In my case it has to be the latter – I don’t have a gift for photographic composition. Neither do I have an unlimited budget to indulge my image capturing hobby.

So can I still take good photographs?  Actually the current answer to that is no…I can’t…but my camera can, the limitations lie with me, not my equipment – despite the fact that my camera would be regarded by many as of pensionable age and senile faculties.

A couple of years ago my wife kindly bought me a Nikon D40x, regarded at the time as a cutting edge, whilst “entry level” DSLR.   A great present and one that I am still enjoying to the full, and slowly but surely learning how to maximise its creative potential and, indeed, find mine.  So I haven’t upgraded, have no intention of doing so – or see any potential need to.  When I outstrip the capability of the camera will be the time when I will consider investing in a new camera – sorry Nikon, it is a long way off.

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