Do Pro's Make Better Pictures? By Frank J Casella

I've been a photographer for several decades, not counting from when I was a kid, and I've heard many myths and truths about what and who makes better pictures.

So, if you don't want to read any further I'll spill the beans: The best picture is the one that moves you; and the best camera is the one you have with you in the moment.

Now, let us back up the train, so to speak, and correct some beliefs:


1) Pro's take better pictures¦ So, if you have a pro and a beginner make a picture of the same scenic, people say the pro will take the better picture. If so, it is because the pro has practiced his/her craft. But I have also seen an photo enthusiast make a picture outstanding because she has the spirit of the rookie and developing the eye of the pro.

Some photographers will tell you that a pro will make sever exposures to find the best image and work with that. But this is usually a photographer who has learned only on a digital camera. I, for example, learned on film so when I approach a subject with my camera I make each click of the shutter count ... I know how my camera and sensor see the light, and I know what perspective and story that I want the image to speak before I ever lift the camera to my eye. In fact, I don’t use the screen on the back of my DSLR.


2) Takes same time to sell a picture at $100 as $1000¦ This is mostly true. And this is mostly brought up when a photographer wants to argue to sell pictures at a high price. My argument with this myth is that pennies make dollars. You might gain more status or trust to sell at a higher price, but you will sell more pictures at the lower price. This does not mean that you sell them cheap, because they won’t sell as much and this is when it takes more time to sell them. You have to know what market you are selling to.

For example, here in America, I know some Medical Doctors who refuse to be paid by the medical insurance system and instead are paid direct by the patients. When the insurance pays the price of care is higher, and when the patient pays obviously the price is lower. But in either case the care is the same, other than the doctor who works direct with the patient has more time to care for them as they see less appointments within an hours’ time.

Likewise, with cars a Ford and a Chevy are both about the same price. But when the late Henry Ford invented his assembly lines, he was able to lower the prices of his cars to around say $700 when other car companies where over $3000. Needless to say the other companies had to adjust their pricing to stay in business.


3) The more you pay means it is better photography or a better photographer¦ Over the years I have seen great photographers not be able to make a living, and (what I think are) lousy photographers become world renowned. What makes the difference? As Donald Trump said in his book 'The Art of the Deal':

“I’ve always felt that a lot of modern art is a con, and that the most successful painters are often better salesmen and promoters than they are artists.”

In other words, pricing is a marketing tool.


4) I need a DSLR to make the best pictures. The best pictures are the ones that move you. I have seen forty-inch wall murals made with an iPhone camera, that were very impressive with high quality. It used to be the size of the sensor or the number of megapixels, but that is no longer the case. Sometimes doing landscape photos with mixed light might need the DSLR but not for long.


So this is my ‘take’ on photos and cameras, and photographers. I don’t think I’ll change my mind until technology improves some more. In which case, you’ll see me update this article.

Thanks for reading.
Frank J Casella


Photo ' Backyard Flowers Morning Sunlight' by Frank J Casella https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/backyard-flowers-morning-sunlight-frank-j-casella.html



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