The complexity and abundance of features in modern cameras can be overwhelming, often detracting from the essence of capturing great images. This insightful video tackles the issue and the way these cameras influence our work.
Coming to you from The Photographic Eye, this thought-provoking video addresses the issue of increasingly complex camera technologies and their impact on photography. The host argues that by solving problems that most photographers don't yet have, camera manufacturers might inadvertently be complicating the photography process. For instance, the video compares the experience of using a Canon EOS 6D Mark II, with its extensive 38-page pocket guide, to the simpler times of film photography. He suggests that the multitude of options available in modern cameras can distract photographers from focusing on taking photos, leading to a preference for the simplicity and directness of analog photography.
The video emphasizes that, while technological advancements in cameras have their merits, they might not be necessary for every photographer. A poignant example shared is the experience photographing dogs with a Canon 5D Mark II, where host Alex Kilbee encountered limitations that necessitated an upgrade to a camera with a higher resolution. This scenario illustrates the need for technology only when it overcomes a specific, tangible barrier in photography. The discussion leads to an important question: when does upgrading a camera become more about succumbing to gear acquisition syndrome (GAS) rather than a genuine need for better equipment? Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kilbee.
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Alex Cooke asked,
"The discussion leads to an important question: when does upgrading a camera become more about succumbing to gear acquisition syndrome (GAS) rather than a genuine need for better equipment?"
Personally, I do not understand GAS. To me, new gear is not exciting. It is not fun to get a new camera or lens. These things are just tools.
I feel the same way about getting a new camera or lens as I feel about getting a new pair of pliers or a new floor jack. Totally uninspiring. Just a tool with a job to do. To feel otherwise is kind of weird, actually. The thing to get excited about are the potos we take, not the gear we take the photos with.
It's called photography, not cameraography ..... duh.
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