Listing gear on website.

[turbo212003]

Maybe it's just me but I don't understand why people list what they use as far as gear goes.

[DDA]

:? What's in your sig? :rolleyes:

[cosworth]

DDA - here it's different. We share technical info etc.

My site has a Canon on it. It's subtle but not.

[DDA]

Oh sorry, I didn't understand he was speaking about the professionnal website (I should have though, as it is in the "pro section") :o

I guess some people think that by listing high end professionnal equipment, it will make the clients feel more confident...

[MJPhotos24]

I used to get asked by editors what gear I had all the time so I put it in my FAQ section, having the right gear can land you a job. If an editor goes to your site looking for someone to shoot a specific event or setting, they are going to want to know if you have the right equipment to do so before they contact you. If they contact you and you don't have the right stuff it was a waste of theres and your time. So personally thats why I have the stuff on there, I want any editors or anyone checking it out to see I have what they need equipment wise to capture the big moments they need me to.

[Gary_Evans]

I used to get asked by editors what gear I had all the time so I put it in my FAQ section, having the right gear can land you a job. If an editor goes to your site looking for someone to shoot a specific event or setting, they are going to want to know if you have the right equipment to do so before they contact you. If they contact you and you don't have the right stuff it was a waste of theres and your time. .......

Surely your images should speak for themselves?

Part of being a professional photographer is that Editors can trust you to back with usable photos without them having to check what gear you have.

When I'm out working and someone asks what camera I use, I simply reply "this one" :lol:

[ssim]

I don't see a big issue with a generic statement of what they use. However when they start to list their CF cards and the make of their monopod, I find it a tad ridiculous. Almost as much as the statement that goes something like "my love photography came when my father bought me a camera for my 14th birthday" and then it goes on and on about how they developed. I personally don't feel that has much place on a commercial venture site. Of course, this is all my opinion.

[cdifoto]

Almost as much as the statement that goes something like "my love photography came when my father bought me a camera for my 14th birthday" and then it goes on and on about how they developed. I personally don't feel that has much place on a commercial venture site. Of course, this is all my opinion.

Funny. I have a blurb about how I turned down an offer for a camera to get into photography at around that age. :)

[Floriantrojer.com]

having the right gear can land you a job.

Quite right in my experience. i do not really list all my gear on my website, but rather only state "a Canon EOS 1D-series camera and high-quality lenses"... enough said for people who want to know.

[MJPhotos24]

Surely your images should speak for themselves?

Part of being a professional photographer is that Editors can trust you to back with usable photos without them having to check what gear you have.

When I'm out working and someone asks what camera I use, I simply reply "this one" :lol:

Problem is today EVERYONE thinks they are a professional photographer! On top of that it's easy to get a site up and running so makes it even harder to choose a photog just based on a few photos from someones site. Anyone can capture 10 portfolio images out of 1,000 shot and post them on there site making it look like that's there consistent shooting when it's only 1%. I replaced a few of these people that commisioners of leagues chose and then when they got the stuff back realized only one out of x-amount were any good and not nearly what they wanted or expected...but they had a nice portfolio and website, just not the equipment. 99% of the posted pics on my site are basic shots, not the best ones I ever did - I want to show what I do consistently...Though do think I need to update badly.

If I'm an editor looking for fast action shots and I can't afford the photog to miss a moment then guess what, the guy with the 10D isn't getting the gig because I want 8.5-10 fps...if I need a photog to shoot a baseball game that starts at 7pm and ends at around 9:30 at night, the photog with a f/4 isn't getting the gig either because they won't get what I need done with a 2.8 or even the 200 1.8. Sure, talent is involved to and not just what you own, thats obvious, but pro photogs will have the equipment as well.

Heck, last year when I updated my lens an editor saw it, one I had worked with before and wanted to know what I thought of it, how the image quality was, etc, etc. Soon as we got done talking about the lens and how it worked with the 20D he offered me an assignment that paid off half the lens. This year he called again and gave me an assignment that paid for the Mark IIn, 70-200 2.8 IS I use for hockey more than anything else and still had some to spare. It was started all by a convo about the initial lens, and I did put a spin on it I guess saying I finally get to do the stuff I wanted to do with my old lens but couldn't (it was soft wide open at 2.8 while the new ones sweet spot is wide open). Knowledge was there, equipment wasnt.

Again though, it does depend on the level of assignment and what the clients needs are. Those with a 5D and full portable studio equipment are going to get gigs I wouldn't because thats better stuff than my sports body and 580 for that clients needs.

[Shadowplay]

Maybe it's just me but I don't understand why people list what they use as far as gear goes.
If I was shooting with consumer grade gear, I wouldn't list it on my site either

[gmen]

Problem is today EVERYONE thinks they are a professional photographer! On top of that it's easy to get a site up and running so makes it even harder to choose a photog just based on a few photos from someones site. Anyone can capture 10 portfolio images out of 1,000 shot and post them on there site making it look like that's there consistent shooting when it's only 1%.I agree strongly with this Mike...

Putting together a basic website to showcase a portfolio (and incorporating a list of cutting edge camera gear) is well within the compass of a myriad of wannabe togs.

I would have said 'pro togs' but the overwhelming majority still won't charge for their work as they'll happily work just for access to events etc.

If you're going to move forward in the business, a well managed archive and consistent quality on assignments are very important factors.

If I was looking for someone to cover an assignment for me - let's say a basketball game in a dingy gym - I'd be looking for a tog that could show me their results from 5 or 6 similar events that they'd shot recently. The gear would come into play to some extent (and the equipment they were using may be obvious from the images themselves)... but sometimes it's possible to get a suitable end-result using different methods/equipment.

It'd be naive to say that equipment doesn't has a big part to play... but it certainly isn't the biggest component in a successful business.

So, if the OP is wondering if listing gear on a business site is important, I'd say that the real challenge is juggling ALL the balls (marketing, gear, experience, consistency, contacts, etc.) and keeping them all in the air!...

...and as ssim said, if you decide that you must mention your equipment, a generic description is all that is required. Lengthy, detailed listings of individual compact flash cards, tripod accessories and makes of strap could be perceived to be somewhat anal/embarrassing and, as a result, could drive business away :rolleyes:

---- Gavin

[Converge]

If you have to boast about all the equipment you have, then your portfolio doesnt speak for itself. Ive never been hired because of the equipment i have and would be a bit concerned if a client hired me not because of my portfolio, but becuase they saw on my site I have expensive equipment. As far as using a list of gear to gain client confidence, i think thats rediculous. Just because you have the money to buy expensive gear, doesnt mean that you can create a properly exposed image with it

[MJPhotos24]

If you have to boast about all the equipment you have, then your portfolio doesnt speak for itself. Ive never been hired because of the equipment i have and would be a bit concerned if a client hired me not because of my portfolio, but becuase they saw on my site I have expensive equipment. As far as using a list of gear to gain client confidence, i think thats rediculous. Just because you have the money to buy expensive gear, doesnt mean that you can create a properly exposed image with it

Going to have to disagree pretty much 100% with you. Sure the equipment doesn't do it all obviously - I could name a few "photogs" I know with double the $$ value of my stuff and have no clue how to use it, they plain suck but had the money to buy the gear and don't think they have to actually learn how to use it. Having the right equipment can land you jobs, read the previous post about the taking 1,000 images to get 10 quality ones for a portfolio just for one example. I can't think of any new photo editors I've talked to when getting in with them that haven't asked what gear I used, they want to know and the names that come to mind are some of the biggest companies in sports...personally I'd be a little weary of an editor that didn't want to know and didn't check consistency and if you have pro gear and know how to use it, not just by looking at your top pics from a portfolio, like said before a portfolio doesn't say it all. It will get you in the door a bit, but every editor I've met takes it farther wanting to know more unless of course they already know about you - I started recently with a paper that didn't ask me anything, just told me to submit without looking at a portfolio or asking questions, but that was because the chief photographer told them they don't need to bother and who I usually shoot for - thats the only time I can think of you wouldn't be asked, by a major editor at least.

Taking it outside of the photography world, think in music when researching a studio - bands want to know what equipment the studio has to know if they can record how they want to because they want it to sound a certain way. An editor will want to know what equipment you have to know if they can count on you to get what they need the way they want you to get it. Same goes with almost any business, say a printing company that we all use more than likely, they tell you what kind of printers and chemicals they use.

[Converge]

Going to have to disagree pretty much 100% with you. Sure the equipment doesn't do it all obviously - I could name a few "photogs" I know with double the $$ value of my stuff and have no clue how to use it, they plain suck but had the money to buy the gear and don't think they have to actually learn how to use it. Having the right equipment can land you jobs, read the previous post about the taking 1,000 images to get 10 quality ones for a portfolio just for one example. I can't think of any new photo editors I've talked to when getting in with them that haven't asked what gear I used, they want to know and the names that come to mind are some of the biggest companies in sports...personally I'd be a little weary of an editor that didn't want to know and didn't check consistency and if you have pro gear and know how to use it, not just by looking at your top pics from a portfolio, like said before a portfolio doesn't say it all. It will get you in the door a bit, but every editor I've met takes it farther wanting to know more unless of course they already know about you - I started recently with a paper that didn't ask me anything, just told me to submit without looking at a portfolio or asking questions, but that was because the chief photographer told them they don't need to bother and who I usually shoot for - thats the only time I can think of you wouldn't be asked, by a major editor at least.

Taking it outside of the photography world, think in music when researching a studio - bands want to know what equipment the studio has to know if they can record how they want to because they want it to sound a certain way. An editor will want to know what equipment you have to know if they can count on you to get what they need the way they want you to get it. Same goes with almost any business, say a printing company that we all use more than likely, they tell you what kind of printers and chemicals they use.


I guess well have to agree to disagree;) I have never been asked by an editor what gear i use. If i even told them, i would assume the would have no idea what i was talking about.

Every editor that I have come across has called me because they have liked what they have heard about me and how I handle myself and after reviewing my portfolio, that pretty much sealed the deal.

And as far as bands go, ive been in that business to...and yep, i totally agree that a band who is educated will ask what studio equipment they will have available, one for the main reason they will probably sound better and also, thats less gear they have to lug around. I understand your comparison, but I cant agree as I have never run into it.

The only people who ever ask me about my gear are amatures who may be on location who just are genuinly interested in talking photography

[Halliday]

I missed out working for an agency because I didn't have enough megapixels :(

[MJPhotos24]

I guess well have to agree to disagree;) I have never been asked by an editor what gear i use. If i even told them, i would assume the would have no idea what i was talking about.

Every editor that I have come across has called me because they have liked what they have heard about me and how I handle myself and after reviewing my portfolio, that pretty much sealed the deal.

And as far as bands go, ive been in that business to...and yep, i totally agree that a band who is educated will ask what studio equipment they will have available, one for the main reason they will probably sound better and also, thats less gear they have to lug around. I understand your comparison, but I cant agree as I have never run into it.

The only people who ever ask me about my gear are amatures who may be on location who just are genuinly interested in talking photography

I don't agree to agree to disagree, ha, jk. I have dealt with editors who don't ask, and they are usually guys who have no clue about the equipment so they don't ask, but also noticed those people are the ones that don't put much value on photography - I can think of one company that the "photo editor" is basically where you're put to start before doing something else so they have no clue. In your case the editors already heard of you, and good things, so they must think you have the stuff already so they just want to check quick.

I ran an indie record label for 5 years and had bands want to book studios and would call me, first thing I asked is give me a gear list because I need to know if they are going to be digital or reel and what they can do with it and how they're going to use it (couldn't believe how many "producers" owned the gear but had no clue how to use it).

I do get asked about gear by amateurs a lot, other pros as well but usually it's more technical questions like "hey did you ever have ____ happen?"

[Converge]

I missed out working for an agency because I didn't have enough megapixels :(

NOW THAT is something I can see happening. Yeah, depending on what youre shooting, there is definitely going to be a size concern.

[Converge]

I don't agree to agree to disagree, ha, jk. I have dealt with editors who don't ask, and they are usually guys who have no clue about the equipment so they don't ask, but also noticed those people are the ones that don't put much value on photography - I can think of one company that the "photo editor" is basically where you're put to start before doing something else so they have no clue. In your case the editors already heard of you, and good things, so they must think you have the stuff already so they just want to check quick.

I ran an indie record label for 5 years and had bands want to book studios and would call me, first thing I asked is give me a gear list because I need to know if they are going to be digital or reel and what they can do with it and how they're going to use it (couldn't believe how many "producers" owned the gear but had no clue how to use it).

I do get asked about gear by amateurs a lot, other pros as well but usually it's more technical questions like "hey did you ever have ____ happen?"

Once the studio said they had Mesa studio equipment, it was an easy decision to leave our sh!t at home:lol: