The Top 5 Most Exasperating Photography Myths

Photography Tips

I know, as a photographer, that there are countless misconceptions that non-photographers (and in some cases, even photographers!) don’t quite seem to grasp. From the hundreds I could name, I have narrowed the list to five of the most exasperating misconceptions about photography:

1. Photography is easy

Nothing frustrates me more than when people claim photography is easy. Sure, it’s easy to take a picture; however, being a photographer is more than just taking a picture. It’s an art. It requires experience and skill to take a visually appealing picture. As a photographer, you must understand how lighting works, when to actually take the picture, and MANY more variables to take good photographs. It’s not as easy as what most people think (i.e., taking a ‘selfie’ and chucking a quick filter over it on Instagram).

“Taking a Selfie” captured by Susanne Nilsson

2. “Your camera takes great pictures!”

No, it does not. I take the great picture. My camera is merely a tool that allows me to execute my skills to my highest ability. This is another thing that irritates me. Sure, most of the time, the person delivering this statement means it in a positive way, but I can’t help but take it as more of an insult than anything. It’s essentially dismissing the years of experience, the amount of practice, and my overall skills in photography, and claiming that my camera is the mastermind behind my photographs. So please, if you’re one of those people who thinks the camera itself is the reason for professional photographs, bite your tongue.

Can I also just add that using a more expensive camera does not mean your photographs will be better? You can give an amateur a really expensive, high-standard camera, and it does not mean that their photographs will outperform a professional photographer with a low-budget camera. That said, if you know how to use a high-quality camera and all of its features exquisitely, then maybe this point is not applicable to you.

3. Nikon is better than Canon or Sony

Saying Nikon is better than Canon is like saying apples are better than oranges. It’s a completely misleading way of thinking in terms of photography, and (similarly to the previous point) you should refrain from speaking. Basically, Nikon and Canon are both excellent camera brands. However, one might be more suitable for one person, and the other might be more suitable for the other person. The camera choice is all relative to the camera owner. It depends on what exactly you want to do with the camera, and what you want to achieve. Maybe the person making certain claims simply had a negative experience with one of the brands, which is not to say you will have the same experience at all.

“Untitled” captured by 伊特諾 雷

Instead of taking someone’s word in regards to which camera is better, you should instead do something cool, and that’s called research. The strange thing about research is that you can develop your own perspective of which camera is better and maybe come up with your own conclusions. Research includes looking up reviews of the camera you find appealing and comparing the camera with other cameras you might also have an interest in. You should also take the camera’s price into consideration and see if that price justifies its features.

4. Age is a barrier to success

This is simply far from the truth. Just like music: there is no ‘expiry’ date to being a successful photographer. In fact, how old do you think I am? I could be 90 years old, or I could be 16 years old. I’ll tell you right now that I’m neither of those ages; however, I am somewhere in between.

“The Child and the Cameras” captured by Carine Felgueiras

Basically, this point is to disprove the misconception that age is a barrier to success. I know people of all ages, sexes, races, etc. who are extremely passionate about photography. All those things are simply unimportant to their success as photographers.

5. Black-and-white images are better and more professional

Finally, we have come to my favorite point of all: black-and-white photos. Now, don’t get me wrong; black-and-white photos can work really well, but the lack of color does not instantly make them professional. It depends on the photo itself and how the black and white has been executed. However, nothing irritates me more than when people throw on a black-and-white filter and call it photography. There is far more to photography than people understand. If you’re one of these people who think a black-and-white photograph is simply superior, and every other photograph is inferior, I want you to do something for me. Google “black and white photography,” click “Images,” and then compare the first result to your black-and-white image(s). This should probably prove my point that black and white does not necessarily make an image better.

“Rain Bubbles” captured by Chrissie

There you have it—some of the most “you-are-blatantly-misled” misconceptions that a photographer will hear throughout their career/hobby as a photographer. Let’s hope this article can make an impact toward obliterating these insulting misconceptions.

About the Author:
Cole is a writer/photographer who owns his own laboratory… I mean…website at considerphotography, which is chock-a-block full of information about photography.