The role of technology in the Art of photography...

To me, Photography is an artistic expression through the usage of cameras, just like painters express their idea by using paint on canvas.  Fundamentally, I think we can all agree that having the initial artistic vision is more important than the gears used to realize it.  However, sometimes we get caught up in the latest technology and trends that we become lost in the world technology and science.  A little too easily, I feel.

Just this week, I've read a few inspirational articles that argued for various sides and stirred up some interesting conversations in the forums:

• A blog post from the Classic Connection - by Marc Williams, who said: "I believe the relentless pace of digital development has created a cacophony of overwhelming technical chatter that has drowned out the very reason we should be making photographs in the first place … personal creative expression."
• A Manifesto from a Lesser Photographer - by C. J. Chilvers, who described a moment of epiphany: "After a few minutes on the trail, we encountered two locals, both with Canon DSLRs. For ten minutes, we discussed our love for the lenses in our bags and that’s when it hit me. This was ridiculous. Four photographers, in the most beautiful of settings, had chosen to discuss gear instead of taking a single photo. Our love of gear had superseded our love of the image."
• From Here On - by Clément Chéroux and other 4 curators of an exhibition for Les Rencontres Arles Photographie, which starts by saying: "Now, we're a species of editors.  We all recycle, clip and cut, remix and upload.  We can make images do anything.  All we need is an eye, a brain, a camera, a phone, a laptop, a scanner, a point of view.  And when we're not editing, we're making.  We're making more than ever, because out resources are limitless and the possibilities endless."

The first two authors are concerned that we are so consumed by our lust for the latest technology that we forget to pay the same attentions to elevating our own artistic levels.  At some point, we need to accept that the camera we own is good enough to realize our artistic visions.  We should strive to be photographers that produce better photos than a person with the most advanced or most expensive gears.

The third article takes a slightly different approach, where it explained that because of the massive availability of technology, there is no better time to be creative than now!  Technical competence is no longer a gatekeeper in producing and sharing our creativity.  Access to inspirations are now at our finger tips, and we make our own minds on what we receive, remix, and consume into ourselves.

Well, here's my personal take on this subject... As a beginner in the world of Photography, I have to admit that it was the exciting science and technology that pulled me through the door.  Now that I'm enamored with the Art of Photography, I see the camera as a tool, and my interests in technology is driven by the need to find the most enabling tool that fit within my limited budget, or as one would say "to get my money's worth".  Now that I have gotten the M9, my interests have shifted from gears to concentrate more on how to make better photos.  One day... if I should be so lucky, when the "art" of my photography has plateau'd, I should re-evaluate whether it's because the camera isn't enough to realize my visions, or if I should simply learn to be more creative in my own brain.  One of the answer is definitely cheaper than the other :)

Until then... I'd be happy to just have some artistic values in my photos.  Now let's go back to taking pictures and practice the rule of thirds...

Ducky... ZM50 f/1.5 ISO 160