Today’s Post by Joe Farace
The cars we drive say a lot about us. — Alexandra Paul
Regular readers of this blog know that I like cars and even have a car photography website. In the car world it’s long been a common expression that “you are what you drive.” See the bottom of this post for a book on this subject.
It’s time that readers get a glimpse behind the curtain, starting with… I am not employed, under contract, or personally sponsored by any camera, photography or software company. The ads you see on this blog go toward paying for the out-of-pocket costs that keep it operating and don’t even begin to cover all of these expenses. If you would like to support this blog, you can help by making a contribution via Patreon, where memberships start at just $1.25, with additional levels of support at $2.50 and $5 that includes special benefits. If you prefer, you can also make a one-time contribution. And if you choose either of these two options, I would like to thank you for your support.
Mention of any equipment or software that are used to make the photographs you see featured on this blog or in any of my books does not constitute an endorsement. This is just the gear that I was shooting or am testing. You may prefer to use something else that better fits your style of photography or budget and that’s OK with me. This is not a “my way on the highway” kind of blog and I like to tell you what I do, not what you should do. You can make up you own decisions about using equipment that works best for you—or doesn’t.
I include information about the gear that I use to create the images featured in my posts because, based on the email that I get, readers like to know this kind of stuff. That’s also why, unlike some blogs, I also try to include exposure data for all of the featured images—when I have it. The exception is when I’m writing about film photography, where I may have been remiss in keeping any kind of log book on lens and exposure data. Ultimately I think you should use this information as a guide and shoot whatever kind of camera you like and can afford using techniques you have personally tested. I believe the attitude you bring to a shoot is more important than the equipment, call it one of Farace’s Laws.
Whenever I review equipment I try to put myself in the position of the reader who wants to know how well the gear actually works not the kind of day I’m having or even where I’m shooting the tests. I don’t need to shoot at an exotic location, to tell how a camera handles well or it it’s well made.
I’ve criticized cameras from every manufacturer because I’m not a fanboy of any particular brand. If I am biased at all it’s toward the truth, as I see it anyway, about a particular product and not based on its name, how many pros shoot it at the Super Bowl or how many celebrities use the camera. Or how much money the manufacturer is paying me to say nice things as, I suspect may be the case for some photo bloggers. All I want to tell you about is does the equipment work as advertised and is it a good value. That’s my only bias. This approach has often been to the detriment of my income and what laughingly might be called “my career” but is nonetheless true anyway.
If you have questions about equipment—or anything else—just click on CONTACT at the top of this page and I’ll do my best to answer then either here in one of my Q&A posts or in a direct response email.
You are what you drive, whether it’s a Ferrari F50, a 30-year-old diesel Rabbit, or a Saab. What does your car say about you–and do you really want to know? This book—You Are What You Drive: What Your Car Says About You—is available from Amazon new for $10.93 or starting around seven bucks used. No Kindle versions seems to be available.