Camera gear in signatures

[Mad Aussie]

On many forums we see people list their camera gear in their signature.

I've always looked at this to be a bit ... Pretentious? Elitist? Not really sure of the word I want here.

However, Bambi's recent decision to save and go DSLR shopping has really made me think on this.

I've been critiquing her efforts without any thought that she has been using a point & shoot camera all this time. I'd have had more appreciation for her work if I'd known/remembered. Unless the P&S camera is the likes of the Canon's G10 or similar then it's definitely a disadvantage when compared to a pro or prosumer level DSLR.

As I thought about it further, I realized that we often critique people's work and tell them a different zoom might be better. Some people might only have a prime lens or something like an 18-55mm zoom only so they can't be expected to easily attain short DOF for instance.

So, seeing as this is primary a learning website ... I'm wondering if encouraging people to include a list of their gear isn't a bad thing after all?

[Bambi]

On many forums we see people list their camera gear in their signature.

I've always looked at this to be a bit ... Pretentious? Elitist? Not really sure of the word I want here.

However, Bambi's recent decision to save and go DSLR shopping has really made me think on this.

I've been critiquing her efforts without any thought that she has been using a point & shoot camera all this time. I'd have had more appreciation for her work if I'd known/remembered. Unless the P&S camera is the likes of the Canon's G10 or similar then it's definitely a disadvantage when compared to a pro or prosumer level DSLR.

As I thought about it further, I realized that we often critique people's work and tell them a different zoom might be better. Some people might only have a prime lens or something like an 18-55mm zoom only so they can't be expected to easily attain short DOF for instance.

So, seeing as this is primary a learning website ... I'm wondering if encouraging people to include a list of their gear isn't a bad thing after all?

um, thanks MA

I like this idea. It would help me to see what people are using.

I have to say, it's seeing what's possible on this website which has given me the desire to have an dSLR.

[Iguanasan]

Yeah, it's definitely a consideration if only to help the person doing the critique to understand the limits of what they are using.

[Michaelaw]

On other forums I did it because people were always asking what kind of camera I used and what gear. I finally just put it in my sig then only the Illiterate would ask

[Greg_Nuspel]

I'm thinking you could post the camera details with the photo if you want a critique. I don't like the pretentiousness of the mine's bigger than yours list.

[casil403]

It makes no difference to me either way in all honesty whether one posts their stuff or not. I think if you want the exif data you can get it or ask for it. I also think that it's not the equipment that makes the image in alot of cases...more knowing what settings to use and how to vision the image before you shoot it. I've seen many excellent shots taken with a P&S camera and I've seen many not-so-great shots taken with a high end DSLR and lens. I would hate someone new to photography think that (and I think it's easy to send that kind of message) they have to go out and buy high end equipment to get a nice image when that in many times is simply not the case. They should first learn how to use the settings to their advantage and I think that is way more important than equipment.

[Michaelaw]

I'm thinking you could post the camera details with the photo if you want a critique. I don't like the pretentiousness of the mine's bigger than yours list.

Could this "pretentiousness not be a preconceived notion of intent though. could that argument not be defensive also "How come I don't have as good a setup as you"?

[Mad Aussie]

We certainly don't want to intimidate newer photographers by having a list in the sig! That reason alone makes me shy to encourage this.
So far I guess assuming everyone is using a DSLR unless they mention otherwise has worked very well.

[EJC]

I try to save my photos using "save as" in PS so the EXIF data can be seen. I down loaded free EXIF viewing software from the Mozilla Firefox site so I can see other peoples EXIF data if it's included.

[Mad Aussie]

I try to save my photos using "save as" in PS so the EXIF data can be seen. I down loaded free EXIF viewing software from the Mozilla Firefox site so I can see other peoples EXIF data if it's included.

Also do both. But most people don't save with exif data.