Request: Change "using photographic equipment" to "using photographic equipment (in the context of photography)"

Question

This has come up before, but mostly in the context of video (see What is meant by "photographic equipment" as reference in the help center?), although it's also a frequent issue around industrial/scientific optics and computer vision (see Are questions about industrial optics on topic?).

Basically, over the years, we've come to the general consensus that we want this Photography site to be focused on questions that pertain specifically to the art and science of photography, not necessarily every possible thing you can do with a camera. (Just as a question about using a hammer to crush eggs would be off topic on a carpentry site, even though it's about "carpentry equipment").

I think this is a good thing, and I think it's good that we close questions that don't fit; that helps keep the signal-to-noise ratio high, and should encourage more questions about photography and photographs and keep the site from being overwhelmed by these other uses. And, judging by the reliably-fast closing of such questions, I think most active users here agree. (Also see Is there any hope for making this site about photography? and Why are printers, earplugs, and shoes on topic, but not video, graphic editing, or computer vision?)

But, the help center still has ""using photographic equipment" in the on-topic list. This is a request to qualify that with "(in the context of photography)", with a link to Why are printers, earplugs, and shoes on topic, but not video, graphic editing, or computer vision?

The current disconnect between the help and site practice leads to frustration like How would one digitize a thick book into a PDF version in the most time-efficient way, using only a camera and a computer? — clarifying would help.

Thanks!

Answer 1

This is a request to qualify that with "(in the context of photography)".

Or perhaps, "... in the context of producing still photographs as a creative or artistic exercise."

That allows cameras/lenses as they apply to still imaging, as well as computer post-processing and making physical prints.

If a question is about how to use 'Lightroom' to adjust the white balance of an image file it would be on-topic. If the question is how to install 'LR' on a computer running a specific version of an OS that hangs when the user attempts to install it, perhaps that would better asked elsewhere.

To be more specific, maybe we could modify this:

If you have a question about …

photography
photographic processing or retouching
using photographic equipment
techniques and best practices
history of photography
photography in society
improving an aspect of a photograph

to this:

If you have a question about …

still photography as a creative or artistic exercise.
still photography for documenting human culture, history, or nature
using photographic equipment to create still photographs as defined above
techniques and best practices for creating such images
photographic processing or retouching of such images
history of creative and documentary photography
creative and documentary photography in society
improving an aspect of such a photograph