Twisted Indifference

Photo credit: Nikon.

Within 10 months of the launch of the D40x, Nikon has come out with a suspected successor. The Nikon D60. Utilizing Nikon’s proprietory EXPEED technology to maximize image quality and processing speed and an integrated dust reduction system. Nikon’s exclusive Airflow Control System channels dust out of the image path and a vibrating, self-cleaning sensor unit shakes off any remaining dust from the camera’s optics. As Nikon claims in its press release, “The Nikon D60 is designed to simplify camera operation and allow the photographer to concentrate on taking pictures”.

With the launch of this camera Nikon is making sure that even the photographers with smaller budgets have no reason to be disheartened. What needs to be seen of course is it’s compatibility with the older Nikkor lenses, an aspect that worked desperately against the Nikon D40.

View the complete Press Release for details and specifications.

To cite one of the biggest clichés, digital cameras did revolutionize photography. Major advantages are, of course evident but it is hard to ignore the few disadvantages that it brought along. I am not aware of intricate market conditions elsewhere but in India people who claim to be photographers are a dime a dozen. People even with modest budgets set up tiny make-shift studios with a typical three light setup. Install a gaudy banner outside advertising wedding photography and portraits. Almost everything on that banner is misspelled.

So what does that have to do with Digital Cameras? These people were present even when film cameras reigned right? True; but considering the fact that developing costs are nil and the ‘instant feedback’ aspect experimentation is on the rise. That should be good right? Wrong! Unfortunately, expensive cameras do not make for great images. I think this is the day for clichés. Moving on…

I see so many people, some who run tiny studios and some amateurs/hobbyists still shooting the same old stuff the same old way. To give an example, I am yet to see one the aforementioned people shoot a sunset in angles other than head on. Then they crowd around brandishing their work of ‘art’. No I am not being elitist here (though that word does appear on my business card) it is a simple dislike for the ignorant claiming to be all knowing. If you say you are a hobbyist or someone who is in process of going pro I can understand but please excuse me if I refuse to share in your deep sighing enthusiasm over a photograph that is say a close up of the flowers most commonly found in the city.

I do not even want to start with the local wedding photographers. I have seen many using the on camera video lights (on top of a video camera obviously) to light up the bride. One is bad enough but 3 of them right in her face? Forget melting the make up, you are going to fry her face! Combine that with the most boring of poses that are clichés bigger than any mentioned here. No sense of composition, lighting, no sense of style or pose or mood, everything more lit up than in a Bollywood movie…that is not photography.

While I love Nikon for all the technological advances they have in their cameras and while I would not have them any other way, I still wonder how it would be if people could actually grasp the fact that holding a digital camera does not make you a photographer.

Additional Links:

Nikon D60 Special Site
Link to the D60 Brochure (PDF)