John of Photodoto wrote a great article on what gear you need to buy to be a great photographer. To sum up his point, he says, “to take great photographs you only need one piece of gear in addition to any camera: a photographer.” Wise words!

“Why does everyone think that cameras make photographs?” he asks. While there is definitely a technical side to photography, I have to agree with him that equipment only matters to some extent and that his analysis that photographers are what make photographs is much more accurate. Instead of spending piles of cash on expensive cameras, what matters most is that you get your hands on any ol’ digital camera you can find and actually take the time to take tons of pictures (he suggests 10,000 over a year), all the while being intentional about what you’re doing and what you’re shooting. Then spend time looking at your results, learning from them and trying to do it better the next time. If you keep that up, you will be better.

It’s a good read and definitely worth checking out if you’re really interested in becoming a better photographer, not just a photographer with a better camera. My point-and-shoot and I found it quite helpful!