Choosing the right gear in photography extends beyond mere preference; it gets into the strategic selection of tools that profoundly affect the quality and focus of a photographer's work, as well as their bank account.
Coming to you from Prince Meyson, this insightful video sheds light on a common predicament faced by photographers: the tendency to accumulate lenses that seldom see use. Meyson narrates his personal journey of selling off his lenses. He highlights a revelatory moment when, after evaluating his portfolio, he realized his most used lens was the one that cost the least. This anecdote serves as a powerful reminder that more expensive or numerous lenses do not necessarily translate to better photography. Meyson's engagement with other photographers revealed a similar pattern: most relied on one primary lens for the bulk of their work, with additional lenses largely remaining unused unless for very specific purposes.
The significance of Meyson's narrative lies in its practical implications for photographers, particularly those for whom photography is a business. By sharing his experience and the insights gathered from his community, he underscores a vital lesson in resourcefulness and intentionality in gear selection. The video encourages photographers to scrutinize their equipment needs versus wants, suggesting that a minimalistic approach might not only save money but also sharpen one's focus on skill development and creative exploration. This perspective is particularly valuable in an era where the allure of the latest technology can often overshadow the foundational elements of great photography. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Meyson.
I too have fallen into the rabbit hole of gear, thankfully I've seen the light and keep it lean now. My current setup allows me to shoot everything from Food, Lifestyle and an occasional Architectural project. Funny, the video didn't even touch upon lighting which is a whole other sinkhole, addiction or obsession.
The camera in my Galaxy S21+ is all I need. Computational photography is a game-changer!
I'll show you my Milky Way photos if you'll show me yours. Landscape photos in difficult light? Architecture? Moving water? Let's trade. Eclipse? We'll see next week.
I'll add birds, wildlife, and stacked macro photos to that!
Spring in the Sonoran Desert. Taken last week at Saguaro National Park East.
Totally not sorry I spend $6 on 2 pieces of gear, even it I've packed & hauled them through the last 5 years.
A few grams of flat filter wrenches, are worth anything in case one gets stuck. They have been worth every cent, gram of payload, and cc of space.
Some things, a bit less valuable, regardless of initial cost to me.
The hard part is figuring out what you do and don't need prior to buying it.
I have bought all sorts of stuff mainly for the purpose of just trying it out and seeing for myself what I think of things.