One of Ken Rockwell’s Best Posts Ever…
Ken Rockwell is a very wise, and yet seemingly bored man. He has so much spare time (or money, or both), he acquires and reviews nearly every new piece of equipment to hit the market. His exhaustive research into camera equipment and lenses has allowed Charlotte and I to make some very smart, financially wise, and sound business decisions when it came to equipment purchases that have performed wonderfully. We kind of owe a lot to him.
However, outside of his technical acumen, he also has a pretty witty and dry sense of humor that he sometimes displays in riotous posts like my personal favorite, The 7 Levels of Photographers. (Please read his post before continuing or you’ll be completely lost…)
I think he’s hilarious. And I was so glad to see the Rich Amateur fall lower than us Professionals on the levels of photographer hell. There’s nothing worse than when you’re on location, usually at a wedding, and someone comes up and proudly displays their rig with equipment that you could never afford all at the same time (with cash, I mean. Many of us do get all of it at once and then suffer debilitating debt forever…), and asks, “So what are you shooting?”
“Nikon D300, man”, I say. Then I think, Now go away and take mediocre photographs on your state-of-the-art equipment.
And he wrote what is now one of my most often quoted, favorite-of-all-time-sentiments about bad Rich Amateurs:
“Bad rich amateurs think fuzzy B/W images of poor people are art.”
Ken Rockwell
Wait a minute… I have black and white photographs I took of homeless people back in my LA days. They’re in my personal fine art portfolio. Charlotte has some from Mardi Gras… Hmmmmmmm…
But I reserve my wrath for Ken Rockwell’s lowest level of photographer, the Equipment Measurebator. My toes curl every time someone starts to challenge me based on technical data, graphs, resolution, in-camera processing, etc. Some Measurebators speak as if they think that those camera and lens statistics actually make for automatically good photographs. They think if anybody picked up camera A coupled with with lens B, it would take an amazing image. Wrong. I take amazing images. Not my cameras. And I could do it on any camera (well, digital camera, that is… I would probably fail miserably on a film camera. However, Charlotte “I learned on film” Bundgaard probably could… Do I smell a “shoot-off” challenge anyone?).
It’s just like when Mac user’s open their too-hip yappers. Yes, I know your Mac computer is faster, more stable, and overall cooler than my poor little PC, but what can you actually do on your amazingly cool computer that I can’t? Nothing.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Charlotte and I are making enough money now that in a few years I’m guessing I’ll be posting about how a really great photographer has to have only the finest, most expensive equipment, and you can’t possibly process photographs on anything less that a Mac G6. But until that time, I rail against the elite and the hip… until such time as we are elite and hip.
For anybody wanting really sound advice on equipment, definitely check out Ken’s site. For anybody wanting to grouse about his sentiments on the levels of photographers, write to him. I just think it’s awesomely funny.
Hahaha! I LOVE this post! Very refreshing. =)
“Then I think, Now go away and take mediocre photographs on your state-of-the-art equipment.” I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels like this when shooting a wedding! Thanks for making me laugh! =)
Isn’t it odd how he never suggests buying something used? Unless, of course, it’s from one of his links to Adorama? You do realize his whole game is getting people to buy what he recommends so that he can supplement his “Rockwell trust-fund?” Why is it he recommends buying the 5D while it’s in stock and the D3 is out of stock, but several months ago he was telling everyone to “just buy” the D3? Hmmmm.
@Mike -
Mike,
I guess I’m confused about which “game” you’re talking about. The Ken Rockwell I read is very critical of all the equipment he reviews and in this post (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3-d700-5d.htm) for example, he highlights the drastic differences between all three camera bodies. So if we assume your assumption is right and he’s only out to augment his “Rockwell Trust Fund”, isn’t he hurting himself by not recommending the D700, which is more expensive than the 5D (therefore, more commissions from Adorama)?
I believe his exact phrase is, “…I’m not quite sure why anyone would want a D700…”
He does review used equipment (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/retirement-ranch.htm), and he says “…I’ve always been a cheapskate, buying most of my film gear used.”
I’ve been very interested by all of the anti-Rockwell sentiments out in the internet ether, but I guess I’ve felt those who criticize him never seem to have actually read his stuff. They just regurgitate the sentiments of others.
His impartial (IMHO) reviews of equipment has allowed us to make very informed capital purchases for our studio. He hasn’t led us astray (yet).
Mac’s do have Colorsync. It is useful.
BTW, get the 24″ iMac
Ken Rockwell is full of hot air. He brags about taking thousands of pictures but he makes the same picture over and over again: over-colored wide angle shots of nothing (come on Ken – show some artistry, or at least some variety!). Certainly not pro quality work. Do you think he is capable of making an expressive photograph with a normal lens in ordinary colors? If he was a cook he’d say he’s great because every dish he makes is grilled chicken overseasoned with pepper.
He seems to have his mind made up about the utility and quality of things before he tests them. I stopped reading his column after getting tired of his arrogant “pros like me…” tone.
I want to rewrite the saying “Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach. Those that can’t teach, teach PE.” into “Those that know photography, sell photographs. Those that don’t, just buy more equipment. Those that pretend to know, just beg from a website.”
Ken is certainly contraversial, you can see how he compares against other reviewers on this survey:
http://www.dentonimages.com/reviewers.php
@Steve -
Thanks for the link, Steve. That’s really an interesting survey. So many people have rated (poorly) Ken Rockwell compared to the other reviewers. It’s simply amazing how much interest he generates, even if it is negative interest!
I can only dream that so many people will search for me someday. Love me, or hate me!
What about where Ken Rockwell says serious wedding photographers only shoot medium format?
I think he means for landscape. Anyway, it’s a good thing I’m a funny photographer, then.
I am quite new at this ‘photography’ thing, have tried to go to my local library and use every other imaginable source to learn about my new interest. If I may make a simple suggestion regarding your criticism of Ken Rockwell: Try providing an outlet for your learned experience in a public forum/web site and let the rest of the world know how it’s really done. I don’t see anyone paying critics for there opinion, especially those who seem to always be able to tell you what is ‘wrong’ and never have a clue as to how to make it right. Here’s a clue — provide a better web site, and get paid…I’ll be first in line to support you & your wisdom.
@Robert Bradley –
I’m not critical of Ken Rockwell, do you mean me, Robert?
I would just like to point out the pure snobbery of your article (and Ken Rockwell’s site BTW). The whole notion of “Now go away and take mediocre photographs on your state-of-the-art equipment.” Makes me ill – you have NO idea what kind of photos others are taking by looking at their cameras! This is some kind of extension of ‘you-can’t-be-a-real-artist-if-you-are-comfortable’ paradigm that only makes you look jealous.
As for KR, It seems a bit hypocritical to call an enthusiast a “measurebator” while proceeding to detail every single aspect of every Nikon ever built. Ken’s BS about how “Your camera doesn’t matter” really grates on the nerves when his words are measured against his product. He does EXACTLY that! His photos are sickly and busy, not to mention boring. How can you talk about maintaining structure when your photos are pure cacophony and hard to look at?
-p
@PaulC –
Jesus, PaulC!
I think you don’t get the joke. He says real pros only shoot Nikons becuase we can’t afford any better and we’re basically photo whores for money.
A little defensive, I think sir.
Have to say I’m with Paul C on this. Have you spent any time looking at the pictures Ken actually takes? They really aren’t that good. Mostly they look like over saturated holiday snaps. Let’s face it, Ken makes his living from reviewing camera equipment, in a very subjective manner. Generally he either loves a piece of kit or he hates it. Then a couple of months later he’s in love with a sharper/higher spec’d piece of kit and says it blows his previous favourites away. All the while telling you that actually any camera/lens will do and not to listen to people who go on and on about kit. If he was true to his word he’d replace his site with one banner that says “kit doesn’t matter” and go and take more photographs.
Ken is the exact kind of person he tells you to avoid – someone who goes on and on about his opinion of camera equipment.
He tells you not to get sucked into review sites that feature technical test results – I just don’t agree. Technical review sites are an excellent way to make sure you get value for money when buying a new camera – you can compare results side by side with other models and come to *your own opinion* as to whether camera ‘A’ is worth more or less to you than camera ‘B’.
Like yourself trig, I shoot with a Nikon D300. I could have afforded a D700 or, at a push, a D3. But using the technical review sites I was able to see for myself that a D300 was all I needed.
Ken doesn’t want you to go to another site because he’s not going to make money out of you if you don’t buy through his links.
@JayDee – I don’t care if he’s a good or bad photographer. The post of his I shared is FUNNY. That point seems to be lost here!
The bottom line for me is: he’s never led me wrong on camera equipment. I check his site out (as well as others) when I’m thinking about buying a new piece of equipment.
People can think what they want about the man, his photography, his technical reviews… but his opinion is of high value to me because he’s saved me a lot of money over the last 6 1/2 years!