You just got youself a new camera! You are so happy. You post it all over the Instagram. You keep thinking how good pictures you'll get now. A week passes. You took some photos inside your house. The plants look good. That coffee mug with pretty bokeh should be a cool phone wallpaper. Oh, and the cat yawned in front of the lens. Cute!
After two weeks the initial joy starts wearing out. You look at the price tag of your new gear. Strangely it feels heavier now, but it was worth it, right?
A month later, you start thinking about the new camera you just saw on your favourite youtuber's channel. Your not-so-brand-new gear doesn't seem so perfect now. What should you do? Maybe it's a good idea to sell it while it's still in perfect condition. You'll lose some bucks, but hey, the new camera you just saw will definitely be the thing that'll stick.
Does this sound familiar?
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I realized that I no longer have much interest in autofocus lenses. All that GAS hype that was driving me to buy more and more gear, has dissapeared, or should I say - faded. It's there, but the fire has become more of a firefly.
I think I have reached a point in my photography journey, where I am certain that I want to feel the moment and capture it in a certain, conscious way. It doesn't have to be done with the latest, all blown-out lens or through the high praised body with all the new features and updated menus.
It has to be mine. Not directed by social media or paid influencers.
I never actually followed the newest trends or craved the most recent photography gear, but I was indeed caught in this, often pointless, race of photography wannabes.
"The Feika" - my current favourite setup / A7C + Nokton VM 40 1.4 SC
Now I should point out, that I have nothing against people who buy a lot of gear or enjoy swimming in the GAS river, but at some point, there is a danger you may drown in the ocean it takes you to.
The worst scenario? When you actually focus more on the gear, than taking pictures.
When I realized that the more gear I gathered, the less pictures I took - it was like a bucket of cold water.
I quickly remembered that I was the most creative when I had just one camera and like two lenses. It was years ago and yet I can recall the joy of taking photos of my friends, everyday life, little things that I found amusing.
I guess this was the best part of my photography life. And I want to get it back. I want my pure creativity. I want to enjoy my limitations. Embrace them, to find that minimalism I was always talking about. Because what is the point of having too much gear, when you have no joy using it? It's like the walls are closing in on you and all you fall into this overthinking pit. Should I buy this or that? What camera should I take today?
In the end, more thoughts than photographs remain.
I don't think having one camera is the best option, tho. Having two or three cameras is still a good way to connect different worlds and styles of photography and to make the setups efficient for different scenarios.
I was never a fanboy of the one "righteous" camp. The best thing is that you can keep it interesting, while drawing from different pools. So yeah, no Canon/Nikon/Sony/Fuji war here. All is cool. All is allowed. Unless you want to be an ambassador of the brand or something.
But I encourage you all to try different cameras and lenses, so you can finally settle with the ones that suit you best. The ones you will "feel". And the ones that will make you feel the moment that you capture. And it doesn't have to be the best, newest, most expensive stuff.
I believe that all cameras made within the last 10 years are great (I still miss my A7 mark I!)
The thing is, when you feel good, content - it's the sign where to stop. And focus on the process. Not the gear. Not the hype or the social media bullshit. The newest, coolest gear won't make you a good photographer.
"The Tooth Fairy" - Canon RP + 28 2.8 RF
I absolutely loved shooting with Canon RP. It's such an underestimated camera. It's literally the most comfortable body in the modern mirrorless world. Light, ergonomic, well built for the low price you pay, especially it's a full frame. But this camera made me feel comfortable with a mid-sized gear & mechanical shutter around people in public.
RP was the first camera that I could point in people's faces and take a picture. It was also the first camera that made me face rejection on the street. Being told to delete a photo you just took is not the best feeling in the world, but it's a great lesson of how people can react. It happens rarely, but when it does, you learn important part. Rejection is important. As is the failure.
This applies to the cameras as well. You need to reject the cameras, too. Some equipment is just not made for you. And that is perfectly fine. You are not obliged to use this or that. You choose what fits you. What makes you complete. My journey had it's ups and downs. I tried Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Sony and Ricoh. There was lot of rejection. But in the end I found my inner peace with two brands - Canon and Sony. I can't be sure if it will change
