Photography has a funny way of drawing people into heated debates over things that, in the end, make very little difference to the people who actually matter – your clients.
Whether it’s arguing over gear, techniques or technical specs, there’s a lot of fuss in the photography world over what should really just be personal preference.
Here are five things photographers love to argue about that don’t need to be nearly so complicated.
Let’s start with one of the biggest debates out there.
Natural light vs strobes
You’d think this was a question of right or wrong the way some photographers go on. In reality, both approaches have their place.
Natural light is beautiful, simple and often very flattering. Strobes, on the other hand, give you more control and can create dramatic, polished results.
The truth is, it depends on the situation.
If you’re photographing a client outdoors in the evening, strobes might help bring out details in a way natural light can’t. But if you’re working in a soft, well-lit room, natural light might do all the work for you.
In my experience, clients don’t care if you used a flash or not. They care if they look and feel great in the final image.
However, there’s a time and a place for both approaches to lighting, and professional photographers should be competent with natural light and strobe lighting.
Full frame vs crop frame sensors
This one’s a classic. There’s a lot of talk about how full frame cameras are more “professional” because of their low light performance and depth of field. But crop frame cameras are more affordable, lighter and can be just as sharp.
You can take brilliant photos with either. What matters more is how well you understand your camera, your lenses and your subject.
Most people looking at your photos won’t have a clue what sensor you used – and they won’t care.
As I’ll often say, it’s not the camera, it’s the photographer. Pop a cheap(er) consumer or prosumer grade camera in my hands, and I can get high quality images out of it.
Shooting RAW vs JPEG
This is another hill some photographers are willing to die on.
RAW files give you more flexibility in editing, which is great if you’re working in tricky light or want to make big changes afterwards. But JPEGs take up less space, are quicker to process, and in many cases, look just fine straight out of camera.
If you’re photographing fast-moving events, where quick delivery is key, JPEGs might be the smart choice. If you’re doing a portrait session and want to fine-tune skin tones or lighting, RAW could be better.
My personal preference is to shoot everything in RAW, because I like the options and flexibility that provides in the edit. But there’s nothing inherently wrong with shooting JPEGs.
Again, it’s about what suits the job, not some universal rule.
Using presets vs editing from scratch
There’s a bit of snobbery about using presets. Some photographers think they’re lazy or unoriginal.
But let’s be honest – editing takes time, and presets are a helpful tool, not a cheat. They give you consistency and save you hours.
You can still tweak and adjust as needed. But starting with a look you know works can help speed up your workflow and give your work a more polished feel.
Clients don’t care if you used a preset. They care if the colours look right and the photo tells their story.
Shooting in manual mode all the time
This one is often pushed as the “proper” way to shoot. But let’s get something clear – knowing how manual mode works is important. But that doesn’t mean you have to use it for every single shot.
Aperture priority or shutter priority modes exist for a reason. They can help you move quickly, especially in changing light.
If the exposure is right and your subject looks great, it doesn’t matter if the camera helped you get there.
No one’s handing out medals for setting everything manually. What matters is the end result.
I’ll typically shoot in manual mode when I’ve got full control of the lighting, in a studio environment, and plenty of time to dial in the perfect settings for the perfect shot.
When I’m out doing street photography, and often at events, I’ll switch to A or S mode, running auto ISO if the natural light is changing rapidly.
Photography is full of choices. But most of them come down to what works best for you and your client in the moment.
The arguments over gear and settings might make for lively online forums, but they often distract from what really matters – creating images people love.
If you’re looking for a photographer who focuses on results, not the kit list, I’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch today and let’s chat about your next project.
