Does creativity go down as format size goes up?

biz-engineer · 12-24-2019, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

The size and weight of larger format cameras would create new challenges and foster creativity I should think.

Some effect of this kind would also occur when using prime lenses.

Sandy Hancock · 12-24-2019, 04:32 AM - **2 Likes**

Here's a paradox:

I only have seven prime lenses for my largest format camera. On the next format down I have at least 26 lenses, including several zooms.

Which format stifles creativity the most? Or maybe it's possible that I'm the problem....

**Digitalis** · 12-24-2019, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by SirTomster

If they feel that having the top of the line will turn them into their favorite photographer, they have a sad future in front them.

you see this kind of mentality with musicians*. I'm going to play like Jimmy Galway Or Heinz Holliger with this expensive new Flute/Oboe....nope, that isn't how any of this works.

*and probably in hundreds of other professions that rely on specialized tools and equipment.

CNunez · 12-24-2019, 07:28 AM

I dont understand how one might think that changing sensor size ruins creativity. If anything going from APS-C to FF gives you a different sense of depth in images that perhaps increases what you can do creatively.

**luftfluss** · 12-24-2019, 07:59 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

We are now in page 4 and I believe I'll be the first one to say it, but...

...anyone looking at gear as a motivator (or excuse) for their creativity, is looking at the wrong factor...

I get your point, but I'm not sure about this. A very small camera - like the Pentax Q - can spark thoughts that never even formed when you are accustomed to carrying to larger gear.

And I know a number of folks who are making photos they couldn't in the past, because of the flip-out/articulating LCD's.

MJKoski · 12-24-2019, 08:05 AM - **1 Like**

I agree. Large camera is best used with carefully planned shoot. Scouting missions are rarely successful with constant pressure to produce "better" photographs when carrying such high IQ device.

ChristianRock · 12-24-2019, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

I get your point, but I'm not sure about this. A very small camera - like the Pentax Q - can spark thoughts that never even formed when you are accustomed to carrying to larger gear.

And I know a number of folks who are making photos they couldn't in the past, because of the flip-out/articulating LCD's.

I understand what you are saying... I was thinking more in terms of sensor size as the thread implied. There are other factors, such as a WR camera allowing you to go out when it's drizzling, for example... or the articulating screen allowing you to shoot from other angles. In that regard I agree, but it's one part the right equipment allowing you to fulfill your creative vision, and another part the right gear allowing you to go out in situations where you haven't gone out before, so in that sense it does open up creativity. Still not related to sensor size though...

y0chang · 12-24-2019, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

I get your point, but I'm not sure about this. A very small camera - like the Pentax Q - can spark thoughts that never even formed when you are accustomed to carrying to larger gear.

I do miss the days of one camera one lens. I feel I am either carrying too little or too much gear. I wonder if this feeling is why people enjoy primes or compact cameras like the Ricoh GR or x100 series. It gets back to the days of spontaneity and not worrying about the gear. I wonder if that is why I am gravitating back to film.

**beachgardener** · 12-24-2019, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by y0chang

I do miss the days of one camera one lens.

How is that, when going out just take one camera and one lens, change it up on different days different lens, I do this all the time.

**James also** · 12-24-2019, 09:01 PM

I don"t know what all the fuss is about. It hasn't changed my creativity. Hard to when the pickings are slim. There are a few things that have changed though. I am finding that some of the differences between the K1 and the K7 have made me change the way I take photos.

**Rondec** · 12-25-2019, 03:50 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by y0chang

I do miss the days of one camera one lens. I feel I am either carrying too little or too much gear. I wonder if this feeling is why people enjoy primes or compact cameras like the Ricoh GR or x100 series. It gets back to the days of spontaneity and not worrying about the gear. I wonder if that is why I am gravitating back to film.

I guess I don't really understand this. It really isn't that hard to just commit to carrying one camera and one lens. Join the single in group and do it for a month.

Somehow we get nostalgic for the "old days" when tech didn't make our lives easier and when we had fewer options, but there are plenty of ways to get there. Turn off your rear LCD screen, shift to manual focus and choose a single 50mm lens for a month. It may make your creative or it may just make you happier for technology, but either way, it doesn't really matter, just try it.

**gaweidert** · 12-25-2019, 07:02 AM - **1 Like**

The best and most creative camera out there is the large format camera. Using one is an experience every photographer should have. The process is slow, requires a thought process and the keeper rate is amazing. Ansel Adams thought in terms of one or two really good images a month.

When I used film cameras I found that whenever I surrendered more control to the cameras as they became increasingly automated my images pretty much sucked. When I went digital I though it terms of taking my K5, placing it on my anvil and taking a sledge hammer to it.

Then I placed and old screw mount Takumar 55mm f1.8 lens on the camera. This slowed me down and forced me to go full manual. Then I started to learn to use the various modes and things got better. None of this had anything to do with format. I do prefer my K1's to my APSc cameras. Something in the images I find appealing and having 32MP look at what I want to photograph makes post processing easier for me.

house · 12-25-2019, 07:08 AM - **2 Likes**

it's just different types of creativity. Small formats may well encourage more difference in output as well as more experimentation. Creativity doesn't equal experimentation however.

**James also** · 12-26-2019, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by gaweidert

The best and most creative camera out there is the large format camera. Using one is an experience every photographer should have. The process is slow, requires a thought process and the keeper rate is amazing. Great keeper rate two. Ansel Adams thought in terms of one or two really good images a month.

I have seen film of Ansell Adams at work. I don't know if he did this always but before using the large format camera he would take a poloroid photo first.

**gaweidert** · 12-26-2019, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by James also

I have seen film of Ansell Adams at work. I don't know if he did this always but before using the large format camera he would take a poloroid photo first.

A lot of his work predates Polaroid film and cameras. He did embrace the technology when it became available.

12-25-2019, 07:02 AM - 1 Like	#72
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	The best and most creative camera out there is the large format camera. Using one is an experience every photographer should have. The process is slow, requires a thought process and the keeper rate is amazing. Ansel Adams thought in terms of one or two really good images a month. When I used film cameras I found that whenever I surrendered more control to the cameras as they became increasingly automated my images pretty much sucked. When I went digital I though it terms of taking my K5, placing it on my anvil and taking a sledge hammer to it. Then I placed and old screw mount Takumar 55mm f1.8 lens on the camera. This slowed me down and forced me to go full manual. Then I started to learn to use the various modes and things got better. None of this had anything to do with format. I do prefer my K1's to my APSc cameras. Something in the images I find appealing and having 32MP look at what I want to photograph makes post processing easier for me. Last edited by gaweidert; 01-08-2020 at 11:44 AM.

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12-24-2019, 04:28 AM	#61
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by Not a Number The size and weight of larger format cameras would create new challenges and foster creativity I should think. Some effect of this kind would also occur when using prime lenses.

12-24-2019, 04:32 AM - 2 Likes	#62
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Here's a paradox: I only have seven prime lenses for my largest format camera. On the next format down I have at least 26 lenses, including several zooms. Which format stifles creativity the most? Or maybe it's possible that I'm the problem....

12-24-2019, 07:02 AM	#63
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by SirTomster If they feel that having the top of the line will turn them into their favorite photographer, they have a sad future in front them. you see this kind of mentality with musicians. I'm going to play like Jimmy Galway Or Heinz Holliger with this expensive* new Flute/Oboe....nope, that isn't how any of this works. *and probably in hundreds of other professions that rely on specialized tools and equipment.

12-24-2019, 07:28 AM	#64
CNunez Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	I dont understand how one might think that changing sensor size ruins creativity. If anything going from APS-C to FF gives you a different sense of depth in images that perhaps increases what you can do creatively.

12-24-2019, 07:59 AM - 2 Likes	#65
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by ChristianRock We are now in page 4 and I believe I'll be the first one to say it, but... ...anyone looking at gear as a motivator (or excuse) for their creativity, is looking at the wrong factor... I get your point, but I'm not sure about this. A very small camera - like the Pentax Q - can spark thoughts that never even formed when you are accustomed to carrying to larger gear. And I know a number of folks who are making photos they couldn't in the past, because of the flip-out/articulating LCD's.

12-24-2019, 08:05 AM - 1 Like	#66
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	I agree. Large camera is best used with carefully planned shoot. Scouting missions are rarely successful with constant pressure to produce "better" photographs when carrying such high IQ device.

12-24-2019, 08:46 AM	#67
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by luftfluss I get your point, but I'm not sure about this. A very small camera - like the Pentax Q - can spark thoughts that never even formed when you are accustomed to carrying to larger gear. And I know a number of folks who are making photos they couldn't in the past, because of the flip-out/articulating LCD's. I understand what you are saying... I was thinking more in terms of sensor size as the thread implied. There are other factors, such as a WR camera allowing you to go out when it's drizzling, for example... or the articulating screen allowing you to shoot from other angles. In that regard I agree, but it's one part the right equipment allowing you to fulfill your creative vision, and another part the right gear allowing you to go out in situations where you haven't gone out before, so in that sense it does open up creativity. Still not related to sensor size though...

12-24-2019, 06:48 PM	#68
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	Originally posted by luftfluss I get your point, but I'm not sure about this. A very small camera - like the Pentax Q - can spark thoughts that never even formed when you are accustomed to carrying to larger gear. I do miss the days of one camera one lens. I feel I am either carrying too little or too much gear. I wonder if this feeling is why people enjoy primes or compact cameras like the Ricoh GR or x100 series. It gets back to the days of spontaneity and not worrying about the gear. I wonder if that is why I am gravitating back to film.

12-24-2019, 08:42 PM	#69
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	Originally posted by y0chang I do miss the days of one camera one lens. How is that, when going out just take one camera and one lens, change it up on different days different lens, I do this all the time.

12-24-2019, 09:01 PM	#70
James also Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 330	I don"t know what all the fuss is about. It hasn't changed my creativity. Hard to when the pickings are slim. There are a few things that have changed though. I am finding that some of the differences between the K1 and the K7 have made me change the way I take photos.

12-25-2019, 03:50 AM - 1 Like	#71
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by y0chang I do miss the days of one camera one lens. I feel I am either carrying too little or too much gear. I wonder if this feeling is why people enjoy primes or compact cameras like the Ricoh GR or x100 series. It gets back to the days of spontaneity and not worrying about the gear. I wonder if that is why I am gravitating back to film. I guess I don't really understand this. It really isn't that hard to just commit to carrying one camera and one lens. Join the single in group and do it for a month. Somehow we get nostalgic for the "old days" when tech didn't make our lives easier and when we had fewer options, but there are plenty of ways to get there. Turn off your rear LCD screen, shift to manual focus and choose a single 50mm lens for a month. It may make your creative or it may just make you happier for technology, but either way, it doesn't really matter, just try it.

12-25-2019, 07:08 AM - 2 Likes	#73
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	it's just different types of creativity. Small formats may well encourage more difference in output as well as more experimentation. Creativity doesn't equal experimentation however.

12-26-2019, 03:09 AM	#74
James also Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 330	Originally posted by gaweidert The best and most creative camera out there is the large format camera. Using one is an experience every photographer should have. The process is slow, requires a thought process and the keeper rate is amazing. Great keeper rate two. Ansel Adams thought in terms of one or two really good images a month. I have seen film of Ansell Adams at work. I don't know if he did this always but before using the large format camera he would take a poloroid photo first.

12-26-2019, 08:40 AM	#75
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Originally posted by James also I have seen film of Ansell Adams at work. I don't know if he did this always but before using the large format camera he would take a poloroid photo first. A lot of his work predates Polaroid film and cameras. He did embrace the technology when it became available.