Nikon vs Canon debate: Answers from a Burning Man wedding

posted April 3, 2011 in Weddings

For every Nikon photographer switching to Canon, I know a Canon photographer switching to Nikon. Seems silly to me.

Know why the grass is always greener on the other side?

You don’t see the dirt.

So true. I just don’t understand why photographers might spend $11,000 on equipment only to find they don’t like it. It’s the worse depreciation you can imagine, on par with purchasing a BMW and selling it for a Mercedes (or vice versa). Cameras and lenses don’t matter. There, I said it.

And if you think they do, check yourself.

When was the last time a client judged you based on the equipment you shot?

These two images play a special role in my heart from Sara & Eric’s wedding at Burning Man. They were shot on almost 4-year-old technology, yet will still stand the test of time as mounted prints sized 16 x 20. Megapixels don’t matter. Heart and soul, does.

I entered both of these images into the ISPWP Wedding Photography contest in the category of “Ceremony.” The images break all sorts of rules of tradition, but emotion and connection triumphs. THAT’S what photography is about.

Photography isn’t about cameras and lenses and megapixels. It’s about moments and experiences and memories with images that bring it all back. And it was among the greatest experiences of my life which I was proud to share, below.

The results from the judges will be announced in two months (seriously… that long?!?!). For now, enjoy:
This was the first wedding where I was soooo glad I shot in RAW vs JPEG. The sun was a killer, yet I was able to capture the dynamic range with my Nikon D700, on par with medium-format film. And for all you film lovers, try changing film in a playa dust storm. It’ll cost you about $40 to get your camera cleaned and might just ruin your film due to heat and dust.