Confirmation Bias
OCTOBER 10, 2023
Whether you are a photographer or an underwater basket weaver, there is one disorder that can affect us us. The concept of confirmation bias. To put it simply, confirmation bias is our "tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with [our] existing beliefs. (Britannica)"
In photography, confirmation bias abounds when it comes to gear and techniques. As an example, consider that new Sony a7 IV you just purchased. It is a great camera for sure and one that with the right photographer can produce amazing images, but are you biased against other models simply because you purchased the a7 IV?
This is where things get really muddy. Humans tend to actually get a little "biggoted" when it comes to anything they own. They desperately want to to prove to themselves and others that they made the right choice, despite obvious chinks in the armor. To state it another way, objectivity becomes subjectivity with a bias.
I see this so often in the photography world that at times I want to lose my mind. It's the same old Ford vs Chevy approach. Don't get me wrong, I love a good debate. However, when that debate becomes hate, we have a problem. We must fight this and remain as objective as possible when evaluating new gear. It is fine to say, "I don't like this about the camera, or I am sending it back because it didn't meet my expectations." Most people will not fault you for that. What they will fault you for is making your purchase a hill to die on.
So, please, don't be that guy or gal. We live in a world of so many options for photography and there are great options in all the brands. It is OK to have some brand loyalty, but there is no reason to make it a religion.