What captures the moment: the camera lens or the photographer's eyes?

[MrSS]

This question pops up in my mind while seeing some photographs in different threads in v7n Digital Photography Forum.
I would like to know what captures the moment, is it the lens of the camera or the eye of the photographer? Or safe to say that both of them, because they work hand in hand?

[Kayak]

Seems to me that the photographer's eye captures the image knowing the limitations of the cameras lens and potential backend edits. Photographers see the moment in a frame, in a potential single image created within the limitations of the lens selected or used.

Interesting question. Really provokes some philosophical thought. Perhaps it is neither...maybe the brain capture the moment and the eye and lens are simply tools?

[4Templates]

IMO you can have the best equipment in the world, and your pictures will turn out ok, but if you have the artistic eye, you can get by with less.

[ScriptMan]

Originally Posted by MrSS

This question pops up in my mind while seeing some photographs in different threads in v7n Digital Photography Forum.
I would like to know what captures the moment, is it the lens of the camera or the eye of the photographer? Or safe to say that both of them, because they work hand in hand?

A most excellent choice for discussion.

I am going to say both but since I rarely say anything simply that is going to require a lot explanation.

All of this assumes little or no PP processing; because Photoshop creatively used can substitute for a lack of in camera creative effort. I tend to be really old school about this. You either captured the image as intended or you did not. Many disagree with that and think PP is fine.

The raw image is captured by the lens and the camera. The photographer was nothing more than a button pusher who got lucky. Some of the memorable war photos would be a prime example.

Other times it is the creative eye of the photographer; the lighting, the angles, the DOF (depth of field) or composition that makes the capture outstanding.

Did I do good in giving no definitive answer?

Let's listen to what others think.

[Dan]

It has to be both (and probably more).

I've seen some amazing things whilst travelling recently, and I do have good camera equipment. Making the shot awesome rather than just good, for me is a combination of:

• the equipment (lens)
• the photographer (the eye)
• the ability to use the equipment effectively (technique)

Now, you either have good lenses or you dont. You either have a good eye or you don't. For me the technique is the biggest variable because someone with great technique can get a lot more out of bad equipment than someone with poor technique can get out of good equipment.

[Nomad2075]

Originally Posted by 4Templates

IMO you can have the best equipment in the world, and your pictures will turn out ok, but if you have the artistic eye, you can get by with less.

Completely, equipment is only so good, you can have the best camera in the world, but if you have the artistic inclination of a newt, your photos with reflect that.

[MrSS]

I'm really puzzled by this question to tell you all honestly. I'm having hard time expressing my thoughts in black and white, as I want my answer to be on one side only, still I failed to forced myself to do so. Here's my best shot:

For me the it's the photographer's eyes. Because our eyes sees different things, sometimes very different to what others see. I believe a photographer has the innate ability to see different stories behind a photograph. Maybe that's the reason why "picture tells a thousand stories" created. Also I consider "our eyes are the mirror of our soul", thus the photograph is the result of what our soul seen through our eyes. And shooting / capturing that moment is the job of camera lens. Although, I don't discount the fact that camera lens might give the exact moment to what the eye's saw.

ScriptMan,
Though you gave neutral answer you presented good points to help other which is really captures the moment.

Good point Dan, the technique is a good factor in making the photograph more interesting and tells more than a thousand stories.

[henrykconrad]

It is the photographer's eyes that captures the moment though it is the lens that preserves it.

[PrimeOutsourcing]

I still prefer the photographer's eye. Photography is a skill. And it requires knowledge about it. Camera's lens cannot work alone without the photography's eye.