POTY 2011: First details

[HinFrance]

Drew, I think you are underestimating film camera technology. Most of those classic pictures will have been taken with Leica's, Contax, TLR Mamiyas, Rollies, large format cameras and the like, cameras in their time way beyond the means of most photographers, and with awesome optics, many of which continue to command stratospheric prices.

So no, pre digital cameras were not poor, they were in many cases outstanding, and had a resolution and fidelity that can only matched by medium format digital backs from the likes of Hasselblad and Phase One and excruciatingly expensive optics.

You are right, you can take rubbish pictures with good kit, and good pictures with mediocre kit. But if the same picture is taken with both, you know which one will be better.

I see that Karen's next post has appeared as I was typing this. No-one has ever won this contest with a point and shoot, and I reckon that is the way it will stay.

Whilst I agree with you about grabbing the viewer, I refer you again to this year's winner. A great shot, and as worthy a winner as any, but how would you have taken that with your iPhone?

[Drew Smith]

Originally Posted by HinFrance

Drew, I think you are underestimating film camera technology. Most of those classic pictures will have been taken with Leica's, Contax, TLR Mamiyas, Rollies, large format cameras and the like, cameras in their time way beyond the means of most photographers, and with awesome optics, many of which continue to command stratospheric prices.

Whilst I agree with you about grabbing the viewer, I refer you again to this year's winner. A great shot, and as worthy a winner as any, but how would you have taken that with your iPhone?

I concede. The faster film emulsions introduced in the 30's did allow the smaller cameras to be used and thus photography to move in to areana not previously photographed. But once your film was in the camera there was no adjusting the 'ISO' or scatter-gunning at 10 fps. But you are right, some of the kit was pretty special.

But H, I am not talking about taking award winning shots with an iphone, I am simply saying that having an 'entry level' DSLR is not an excuse for poor photograph. As for exotic climes - yes, they sometimes help, especially when the sponsors (DC) are based in dull-grey blighty, but this is not at the exclusion of a great number of stunning locations in northern europe.

The book was 'Great Life Photographers' by the way - 3 quid from a charity shop.

[karenoliver]

Originally Posted by HinFrance

I see that Karen's next post has appeared as I was typing this. No-one has ever won this contest with a point and shoot, and I reckon that is the way it will stay.

Whilst I agree with you about grabbing the viewer, I refer you again to this year's winner. A great shot, and as worthy a winner as any, but how would you have taken that with your iPhone?

I don't think I said it could be taken with an iphone? I only remarked that some of my personal favourite shots were made with my iphone. Of course an iphone could not deal with that kind of shot but the canon 400d that Yeomanss owns could? The exif data of the winning shot says :

Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/1250 sec.
ISO: 250

So owning a canon 400d should not put him off :-) His camera would have been capable of producing that shot. The main reason that shot won was because Martin Keene said
" "This picture gets more exciting every time I look at it. Good photography is about using your camera to show people places and things that they cannot normally see for themselves. It's got action, energy, great composition, and that all important 'what's this all about?'

It was picked for the reasons I stated before, for its artistic merit and for engaging the viewer :-)

PS This feels like I am in my law class arguing a case for the defence lol

Karen

[HinFrance]

First, big congratulations Karen for POTD. Lovely shot.

And I agree with both of you that a 400D, and for that matter an A100 before the shutter gives ups, as many of them seem to do, are more than adequate tools for the job. I still frequently use my almost ancient and rather battered Fuji E900 quite a lot and I have no complaints, I just have to use it within its limitations - mainly of ISO and CA contre jour.

But I'm not sure my daughter's Vivitar could actually take a decent photograph. Ever.

[yeomanss]

Originally Posted by HinFrance

First, big congratulations Karen for POTD. Lovely shot.

And I agree with both of you that a 400D, and for that matter an A100 before the shutter gives ups, as many of them seem to do, are more than adequate tools for the job. I still frequently use my almost ancient and rather battered Fuji E900 quite a lot and I have no complaints, I just have to use it within its limitations - mainly of ISO and CA contre jour.

But I'm not sure my daughter's Vivitar could actually take a decent photograph. Ever.

ok let me explain ,to get a decent night shot the A100 is out of the question cos of the high iso has awfull problems with degrading picture quality ,the 400D while being a nice little camera suffers bad imo from the kit lens with is all i have and to be honest i find the A100 better with colour reproduction ,im sure that photos are based on cromatic abbreviation ,corner sharpness and over all composition ,im not saying im not happy with what i have ,im just saying im not prepaird to spend £10 knowing full well im not going to get anywhere ,i like to enter the competition so i can say "i done that" not pay a £10 to say "i contributed to the winners prize money" lol

[Stormsong]

If entry-level cameras are 'up to the standard' why do pros not use them more? Although the most expensive equipment does not make you a brilliant photographer, it helps a lot. It's like comparing portrait shots taken with built-in onboard flash to those taken with a set of studio lights, reflectors and umbrellas. Somehow you know the studio shot is going to be of better quality, even if the photograph is not technically perfect in terms of composition, the precious thirds, DOF, focus etc etc.

Regards,
Denise

[yeomanss]

please people dont get me wrong ,im not saying im not happy with the equipment i have and im not saying i cant take and interesting photo BUT i am saying that i dont have much hope with what i do have and to throw a tenner down the drain is madness ,i use to enter for the pure fun and excitment ,thanks POTY for wrecking it !

[Amy Davies]

POTY 2011 is now open for entries.

Good luck everyone!

http://www.poty2011.com

[yeomanss]

ok apollogise i can log in but why have you chosen to use the biggest rip off people since Capone "paypal" lol

[Amy Davies]

Hi yeomanss,

Paypal is a convenient and secure way for us to collect the money, you do not have to be a member of Paypal to pay for your entry though.

Thanks,

Amy