What do you think about those who buy a DSLR with a kit lens and..

El oh El at the Judge Joe Brown video.

Was in NY a couple of weeks ago walking through Central Park and witnessed a wedding shoot. Bride and groom posing for 'professional' photos - the photographer was using a 450D, kit lens, green box mode and pop up flash. Hope they didn't pay too much!

I am amazed that another photog would let you approach him during a photo shoot close enough to see what mode the camera was set in/to. I would stop shooting and wait for that boor to move out of MY comfort zone and hover protectingly around my gear and suggest the interloper move back, no further back, keep moving till you can't see or hear me please. Or pack up and move the location to one Not overrun with rude folk.

I think... good for them. Do what you can do to make a few bucks in this economy.

Friends love my photos at weddings etc. but I would never want to do anything close to a proper shoot for them, especially weddings...puts the fear of god into me to be honest!

'These people' will either persevere and learn the trade or will quickly have their fingers burned by ruining a special occasion for someone.

But I'm an amateur, very much so, but I want to learn. Taking my camera along to a wedding of a friend and snapping away unobtrusively is only going to help me. Plus, out of all the photos there may be a couple that come out well. Usually of frail great aunty Mildred that the photographer doesn't realise made a special effort to get to the wedding etc...these can be priceless to a friend, but there is no way I'm going to offer this as a service, yet(!)

I think its cool - I have seen 16 yr old using basic equipments to produce amazing results.

Why not let another photographer see what settings you are using? Hell, i might even let them hold the camera if I didn't think they might run off with it.

Awesome tools don't make you an awesome craftsman.

Don't really care.

g3org3y wrote in post #11286460
El oh El at the Judge Joe Brown video.

Was in NY a couple of weeks ago walking through Central Park and witnessed a wedding shoot. Bride and groom posing for 'professional' photos - the photographer was using a 450D, kit lens, green box mode and pop up flash. Hope they didn't pay too much!

Just a question ... you could tell that the photog was using green box mode just walking by? Maybe they were in Av or Tv ... would that have been "better."

You know, not everyone can afford $1200-$4000 for truly professional wedding photography ... should those lower-income people just have to have their weddings without photography or be limited to crappy disposable cameras on the tables?

Under most circumstances, a 450D w/kit lens (even in green box mode) is STILL going to take "better" pictures than disposable film cameras and all but the best P&S's.

It's interesting how often the mantra "it's not the gear, it's the person behind the camera" conflicts with the "if you don't have pro gear you aren't a *real* photographer" around here....

DirePenguin wrote in post #11295926
It's interesting how often the mantra "it's not the gear, it's the person behind the camera" conflicts with the "if you don't have pro gear you aren't a *real* photographer" around here....

You're right, its not the gear, it the person behind it who knows enough about what they are doing even with a P&S or a rebel series dslr that they wouldnt be using the "green box" in the first place..and the resulting pictures would/should prove it....

Think about it this way, a "pro" (or anyone else who is serious about the craft) is going to be using the best equipment they can afford simply because it makes their job easier (I know, some buy it for the status)...

I've got a t2i and a couple L lenses, so should I just refuse to attempt professional work until I get a 7d or 5d? LOL

Elitevaz wrote in post #11301441
I've got a t2i and a couple L lenses, so should I just refuse to attempt professional work until I get a 7d or 5d? LOL

sort of, yes. professional-quality work? no. professional work without a backup etc? yes.

Elitevaz wrote in post #11301441
I've got a t2i and a couple L lenses, so should I just refuse to attempt professional work until I get a 7d or 5d? LOL

The questions to ask yourself is "Do I know what I am doing"...Can I give the client something that they will want to pay for...is my work better/different than the GWC..

If you cant answer those honestly, then no amount of money spent on acquiring the best equipment is going to matter...

Does that answer your question.....

DirePenguin wrote in post #11295926
be limited to crappy disposable cameras on the tables?

I completely agree with your post. Some people can't afford to spend a lot of money. Hell, we have a pretty big budget (to me, a broke college kid) only because her mom is giving us a ton of money. I highlighted this part because I think it's actually a good idea (in addition to professional photographers). I think we might be doing that at our wedding. Lets the guests shoot some pictures that one photographer might not be able to get to. Plus, she likes to scrapbook so she wants lots of pictures to work with.

I think she'd get a bit upset with me if I had my camera with me during the ceremony/reception. I don't understand why though...

I put that as a joke, but I am starting to feel limited in my t2i. The kit lens only kept my interest for about 2 weeks. I am approaching 1 year of seriously being interested and I think my work is getting to the point where I could charge for it. I don't know how some people get the courage to do weddings with little experience, but I would feel comfortable doing some portraits or other small jobs. I'm considering upgrading to a 7d and selling my t2i. I really wanted to go up to a 5d, but there is so many rumors of a new version coming, so I think I am going to buy a 70-200 mII first. I have to admit though, I was wondering how the craigslist people could make any money at the tiny margins they were asking for. I figured it had to be a trap though.

Window Frame wrote in post #11273213
they automatically think they're a photographer. But it goes beyond that. They start a page on FB and charge to take pictures.

What do you think about this?

who cares? it's not like you HAVE to buy their pictures.