PROJECT: It Ain’t What You Got – Results
- At January 31, 2008
- By Neil Creek
- In Projects
2
It ain’t what you got, it’s what you do with it!
This photography project set out to show that great photos don’t need great photography gear. I asked participants to take the best photo they could with the worst gear they could get their hands on. The entries were varied and interesting, in subject, vision and equipment used. I think that the results prove the assumption that the creative vision of the photographer is more important than the tools used to capture the image.
The image voted as the winner by the visitors to this blog is an outstanding example of exactly this. A late entry to the project, this image was very popular from the first day of voting. It took an early lead which it held throughout the week of voting. Why was this photo so popular?
I believe it was because the photographer’s creative vision was so strong, and so well realised. The almost monochromatic colour scheme, highly exaggerated tilt and visually arresting subject work together to great impact. The repeating pattern of the arches receeding into the distance draw the eye into the photo. The detail heavy centre of the photo balances well with the negative space of the simple stone walls flanking the corridor.
And this striking image was captured on a two megapixel mobile phone camera, the kind that probably sits in the pockets of hundreds of thousands of people around the world, and likely rarely used.
Winner – Reianna Murchison
Sony Ericsson k710i 2.0MP Camera Phone
While the winner was a clear favourite, visitors had a much harder time picking their other favourite photos. Only five votes seperated the three next most popular photos, shown here as honorable mentions.
![]() Wilson Leung |
![]() Stephanie |
![]() Darren |
For the full results, please see the (now closed) voting page. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure a sponsor for the project, and as such were unable to offer a prize.
What can we learn from the submissions to this project?
- A photographer’s vision and skill make a great photo, not their equipment
- If you only have a “crappy” camera, don’t let that stop you from taking great photos
- Much can be achieved and learned using inexpensive gear
- The kind of cameras carried by thousands in their phones can capture great photos
- There are no excuses for not participating in photography!
I’m not suggesting that you’ll never want to buy better camera equipment. More expensive gear can give you more flexibility, control and options, as well as more detailed photos that can be used in a wider variety of applications. If you’re wanting to sell your photos, cheap gear won’t cut it. However, if you do photography because you love it, yet you don’t have the budget for great gear, don’t let that stop you. Because it isn’t what you’ve got, it’s what you do with it that matters.
What have you learned from this project? What advice would you give to other photographers with simple cameras? Think the entrants deserve praise for their work? Post your thoughts in the comments!
The next project for February will be on the topic:
The View From Below
Come back tomorrow for details on February’s photographic project, open to everyone with a camera and the ability to take a unique point of view on the world.
Note: It was brought to my attention after the voting commenced that some photos were submitted which were taken outside of the project period, in violation of the rules. I had neglected to check the photo metadata to confirm that all photos were taken during the project period as had been specified in the rules. Some photos contained no metadata at all, and as such it was impossible to confirm the date of the photo. As the voting had already begun, I decided to leave things as they were and consider the issue more closely for the next project. If this offends anyone, please accept my humble apologies. This has been my first ever photography project, and I’m still learning the process. I’ll work hard to improve with the next project.
Janne
Then I have to apologize. I totally missed that the image was supposed to be taken during the submission time period. Mine wasn’t and so was not eligible. It didn’t matter for the results of course, but even so I should have actually read the instructions properly.
Neil Creek
Oh please don’t worry about it. I made the decision to let things stand as they were. I need to be more careful about how the rules are explained to avoid any confusion.
I was thrilled to have your entry, and everyone elses as well, and the timing of the photo didn’t have any impact on making the point of the project. The only reason I wanted to restrict entries to the project period was to encourage people to get out and take photos with the project in mind.
I hope you will participate in the next project as well!