PROJECT: It Ain’t What You Got – Results

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.

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 Sony Ericsson K800i 3.2Mp Camera Phone 35mm equiv 1/200sec f2.8 ISO80

Stephanie Taken with a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W%), 6mp camera.

Darren Nokia 6110 2Mp phone camera

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:

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.