You Must Have a Nice Camera
This is a comment that has annoyed many photographers. Because it seems to imply that the photographer can only take good pictures because they have a nice camera, or that anyone could take good pictures with the “nice camera”.
A photographer should accept the comment for what it is, the speaker’s attempt to say something nice. Be gracious. Resist the urge to mention your talent, skill, training, experience, all of the other equipment you used, etc.
They are just trying to be nice. Accept it and thank them.
Besides, it’s our fault. Many of us obsess about our equipment. We boast of what a great camera or lens we have and how much it cost. After hearing this so often why wouldn’t someone compliment our camera?
Just today, I was discussing my equipment with the director of a childcare center. I was taking the camera with me but leaving everything else overnight. She assumed the camera was expensive. I said that although the camera and the lights cost about the same when new, the lights were worth much more now. And, I added, the most valuable part of the whole setup at that moment was the flashcard with all of the images from the day. That’s why I took the camera (with the flash card) and the payment envelopes with me.
I frequently have teachers or parents warn children away from my camera. It’s sitting there on a tripod surrounded by kids. They give greatly exaggerated estimates of its value. I reassure them that it’s not that expensive. Besides, “they bounce pretty well”.
I have customers apologetically show or tell me about their “Rebel”. I have responded with something like. “Those are nice! My daughter in law has one and it creates bigger files than my (fill in the blank).” They are nice cameras and people shouldn’t apologize for them. There are some Android and Apple based cameras that can be real good for some things, too.
So, if you brag about your camera or lens, expect people to compliment your camera. After all, that is what you (or some other photographer they met) thinks is important. If you want them to appreciate something else about your work, be a little more deprecating about your equipment.
Say something like “It works pretty well for this type of work and it bounces pretty well.” Appreciate the comment for what it is, an attempt to say something nice by someone who can’t think of any other way to compliment you.
Full disclosure: I actually don’t know if a 7D series camera bounces better than a 1D series camera. But I care less if it gets knocked over and it is at least as suitable for what I do as the more expensive 1D series.