It’s Not The Camera, It’s YOU
Stop! Please, just stop talking about the latest model, feature, brand, bell, whistle. If you’re looking for a new camera, I understand, it can be confusing and frustrating. But let’s face it, you have a price range and an expectation. Narrow it down and get the one that fits.
If you’re a beginner and not sure if you’ll really “get into” photography, don’t spend $10,000 on equipment. And if you’re a pro, you know what you really need vs. want. Be realistic. And, for heavens sakes, once you purchase said camera/lens, stop looking at all the new stuff coming out. It will only make you crazy.
Why do I say this? Because a camera is only a tool to be used to produce a final product. Spend more time producing results, rather than talking about tools. And here’s why. I tell every group I teach to not over-think camera exposure. It’s three things and three things only; ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. That’s it, nothing else.
If you want to argue with me, bring it. Here’s what I’ll do:
- I’ll leave
- Goto Wal-Mart and purchase rot-gut cheap beer in the tall can (because they hold 5×7 photo paper best)
- Return
Drain cheap beer down sink- Cut top off can
- Roll and insert 5×7 photo paper
- Make very small pin hole in side of can
- Tape can shut
- Screw said can to side of tree
- And wait…
- and wait
I’m not saying this to be a smart arse. I’m illustrating a point. The camera is only a tool to make the image. It all boils down to what YOU do with the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, whether it’s a fancy shmancy DSLR or a homemade pinhole camera.
We are the photographers, our ideas, our thoughts, our passion must come before the equipment. And the expense or complexity of the equipment is meaningless, if in the end we don’t create something from our hearts and minds.
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Okay, enough preaching and pontificating. Let me share what I’ve created.
Awhile ago, I mentioned this idea of a very long time exposure. The word “long” maybe a bit of an understatement. The actual time is well over 11,000,000 seconds. Yes, that’s correct, no exaggeration.
.jpg "PinHoleDiagram")
This project was all about the idea first. Equipment was created to facilitate the creation of that idea. The idea was to capture the patterns of the sun over an extended period of time. As it works out, the photo paper was “etched” with the solar paths and needed no chemical processing. An exposed sheet of photo paper was removed from each can and scanned into the computer. From there, in Photoshop, the images were inverted to a positive, flipped to match the scene, and contrast was enhanced. That’s it, easy peezy, lemon squeezy.
I positioned the pin hole on some cans higher to allow more space on the 5×7 paper to be used for the path of the sun. Also, one can was tilted towards the sky to record the paths better.
The exposure equation is something like this:
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ISO ~ Ilford Photo Paper ???
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Aperture ~ Hm? Little, f/64, perhaps f/128 ???
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Shutter Speed ~ 11,932,200 seconds (give or take a day or two)
What is that, you might be asking? Basically the highest arches in each image are the days closest to the summer solstice and the lowest arch is the winter solstice, with the remaining time in between. The breaks in the streaks are clouds that blocked the sun, missing streaks are full days with no direct sunlight. So this is the entire sunshine history for our location for several months, recorded in a single photograph.
PS ~ When considering a new camera, always remember they sell camera bodies in packs of six at Walmart for less than $4. But unlike purchasing an expensive Nikon or Canon, you will need to show your ID.
by Kent Weakley
Kent: I agree with your post. Once digital came along, I started by testing a 6.5 mp Canon Rebel and was able to capture beautiful images that were routinely published. Although now I rely on more expensive equipment (ie. 5D Mark II) because my Fine Art work needs to be enlarged for gallery exhibition, since most shooters don’t need to worry about that, as you teach, they should concentrate on their technique, not their equipment. Thanks for all the great photographic content on your blog.
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Bravo! Amen! stunning work as always!
Merry Christmas!
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Seriously, when will you just move to Colorado and teach me all of your wisdom?! Those pictures are incredible – I haven’t seen something so inspiring for a very long time! Well done!
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This has to some Photoshop something. I mean, a photo taken with a camera with no batteries???? How can you use a P (professional) mode with no juice?
Really, it’s a relief to see some very basic stuff and experimentation. Photography is fast becoming one of tech over ability. This is from someone who began with a Pentax K1000.
Very nice shots.
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what is photo paper exactly?
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Carla you crack me up. lol Perhaps you can rent me??
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Kent, these are fabulous! No developer or fixer? How do you prevent further exposure of the paper once you remove it from the can and why doesn’t the scanner further expose the paper? I completely agree with the gear argument. I’ve seen a lot of,umm, not so good photos out there with top of the line gear and some brilliant work with the bare bones essentials. It truly is the imagination behind the viewfinder. You proved your point beautifully!
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I’ve been waiting to see this. It’s amazing.
Thanks for the perspective, too.
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Scanned into the moment. Analog to digital and saved. The paper will degrade and move on.
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You did it! I was JUST thinking about this the other day wondering how your experiment went. Well done!
So I totally agree with you on the gear – I have the d700, 24-120 f/4; 28-300 f/3.5; 105 2.8; 50 1.4; and the 16mm 2.8 fisheye and NONE of them have made me better at what I do. Not.a.single.one.
Purchased all of these in the 1st year of photography (can we say ridiculous?) and what I have learned is that all those lenses will not make me better – but education and practice will. So 2012, I’m spending educating and practicing NOT buying gear.
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me too!
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Kent. I LOVE this. Totally, completely love this. You are my hero.
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I would like to know this too. Paper that you expose to light through a negative I am assuming?
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Yeah!!!
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*blushing* Thank you!
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This is standard photo paper used in dark room. Negative is projected to the paper and processed. It usually takes chemicals to process, but the intensity of the sun “etches”. The paper would need to be chemically “fixed” to remain stable over time, but once it’s scanned that is the saving method.
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This is fabulous! Love the images AND the patience. My balcony faces south. Definitely something to consider. Did you set up the winter solstice-to-summer solstice “photographic” equipment to capture the second half of the year? It would be interesting to see how the second half of the year compares to the first half.
I do believe that it is the photographer and not the equipment that delivers the best results consistently. Love your blog. Thanks!
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WAIT. You are for RENT?!! Sign me up!
thanks for sharing all of your wonderful talent and knowledge Kent! Merry Christmas to you, Maggie, and the boys!!
You are awesome Kent. I am joing Kelly in saying you are my hero
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Yes, second half of year. I may do one now going back to summer solstice.
Thank you!
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Hm? Now you’re making me think. Thank you! LOL
Merry Christmas
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I agree. I remember reading about a photo editor at a New York newspaper back in the late 40s or early 50s who said “I could send so & so photographer out to Yankee Stadium with a Brownie box camera and he’d come back with great images.” It’s the photographer, not the equipment.
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Brownie Box camera, makes me smile
Thank you!
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can I afford that!?
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True words of wisdom!
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Excellent work! I had seen a photographer do this in the past, but had not seen the process behind it. Now I know, and am excited to give it a try. It looks like you shot these for 6 months?
I may try shorter periods of time and see what i get. You used the tall boy beer cans correct?
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Yes, taller cans will hold the 5×7 paper. Good luck
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These turned out great! Beautiful colors!
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Love it!
I am in the process of doing a pinhole camera with my son and came across this post! Not only helpful, but inspiring as well! Thanks!
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Rock your pinhole camera. I hope you have fun and open a mind or two.
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Kent, I’d forgotten that you were doing this but was thrilled when I saw this post. Your images are incredible. You must be a very patient man, as I think I would have been tempted “to peak”. Bravo. BTW, I’m a little confused by your response to Denise’s questions back on Dec 22: “How do you prevent further exposure of the paper once you remove it from the can and why doesn’t the scanner further expose the paper? ” You answered: “Scanned into the moment.” Could expand upon that please. Did you have to close your self in a dark room, open the can, place the paper on the scanner and hope it scans quickly?
Great post and great image. Thanks for continuing our education and your delightful sense of humor!
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Claudia,
The “scanned” part is just that, a digital scan. The photo paper essentially is exposed when you take it out of the can, and it displays the negative image of the sun trails clearly, with no further processing. At that point I scan the photo paper and leave the analog (film/paper) world and enter the digital realm. The photo paper will degrade and the image will fade over time because I am not “fixing” the paper. This would have been a darkroom chemical process to stabilize and stop the exposure process. And yes, the paper image can be handled in regular room light without any problem.
PS ~ It’s pretty fun. I’m betting you’ll be doing this in the near future, if you haven’t already started, right?
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Exceptional Kent! Wow what an amazing project. Thanks for sharing the shot of the cans set up, love seeing the process not just the result.
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I had to look at this for many minutes just to take it all in! Astounding! I did have a question after reading your excellent explanation of the streaks. Why are there no red-ish streaks of a glorious orange and magenta sunset along with all the blue-ness?
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Good stuff.
Two questions.
1) Is each of the final images from a single pinhole camera, or did you combine them?
2) Where did the color come from. This was B&W paper. I’m guessing you did a bit more Photoshop manipulation here, or did you?
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Well the sun is only orange magenta usually near sunrise and sunset, so the light is mostly white. As for the blue, I’m guessing it has to do with the night time exposure portion. Remember half+ of these exposures were in the dark of night as well.
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#1 Each is its own single shot, no compiling images.
#2 Honestly, I’m not sure where the color came from. I must confess ignorance about the paper. The one I used was a RC Multigrade, it doesn’t say B&W or color either. The paper maybe color, or the sun may have effected the paper and created a color due to the long exposure. The paper, when pulled from the cans, was brownish orange and in film negative. So when the scan was made and inverted to positive it became blue. If you know more about the effects of photo paper, please let me know. Thanks!
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Excellent point! I’m a filmmaker and the same is true in our world – maybe more so? My theory is that folks expend their time and energy on things, including equipment, because they are running from the hard work of creating. They know deep down that something great can be created with nothing; however, rather than take the challenge, they busy themselves with the tools.
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Yes, exactly. Everything interesting starts with our ideas. Cameras and gear are just vehicles to make those ideas come to life.
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This is so incredibly true. I’ve seen people who buy expensive cameras, but it still doesn’t replace talent. It’s the same as any other tool…if you don’t know how to use it, it’s not going to do you any good to have the best of the best.
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