As a full-time landscape photographer with a small platform to voice my opinions beyond just pets or friends, words carry meaning. Phrases like “device doesn’t matter” I’ve been saying for years. The intention behind those words is to express that equipment should not hold you back from pursuing photography or finding ways to improve your work just because you don’t have a certain lens or camera. While the intent of this phrase remains true, a more literal interpretation of the words can be very misleading to those new to photography.
Equipment doesn’t matter! Everyone who assumed it wasn’t happening (including me) was simultaneously taking photos with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Lately, I’ve realized that gear helps us become even better photographers, and if you disagree, I have plenty of reasons to change your mind.
Excitement
Excitement is one of the most important aspects of photography. It motivates us to get outside and experience nature, or go into the studio to learn how light changes the mood of a portrait, or invite friends around to practice. This is why many of us love photography. If you’ve ever been excited about taking photos on a new device, it’s already made you a better photographer!
When I first got into photography back in 2009, I bought a camera and was really excited to learn everything about how it worked while also learning many of the technical aspects of photography along the way. that program. I spent weeks or even months researching a specific lens I wanted to the point that when it appeared, it single-handedly sparked my excitement to go out and take more photos. This continually makes me a better photographer, even if I don’t realize it at the time.
This is a great time to show off that you can enjoy the device! Although I personally am not as excited as before, you can definitely do it.
A camera to capture what you want
I spent most of my landscape photography career without the ability to shoot anything cohesive at 200mm. I finally decided to buy Canon RF 100-500mm for me to be able to photograph wildlife in Alaska, it has opened a new door to what I can capture on my travels. Does such a lens suddenly turn me into a master wildlife photographer? Of course not. However, by giving me access to a genre I once avoided, I had to learn (and continue to learn) countless new photography techniques.
Landscape photographers typically don’t worry about autofocus, shutter speed, or burst modes. Wildlife photography is the exact opposite and I had to educate myself on the ideal shutter speed for a bird in flight or how far I could push my ISO later for noise reduction software. Without a lens, I can only enjoy the moment in front of me and move on.
Imagine the widest focal length lens you own is a 35mm and you recently got an ultra-wide angle lens like this one. Canon RF 15-35mm for astrophotography. It’s a whole new genre of photography with a lifetime’s worth of knowledge to learn just by opening the door to a new lens, thereby helping you become a better photographer in the process. This.
The camera is easy to use
Even though I personally don’t get excited about new gear anymore, I still find myself constantly looking for the right camera so I can focus on being creative. I gravitate toward cameras that fit better ergonomically in my hand, have simple menu systems, or have reliable autofocus. A few years ago, I even “downgraded” the image quality of my videos on YouTube for businessFuji X-T4 for a Canon R7. The biggest reason is that I can’t rely on autofocus when filming myself. This error, along with the poorly organized menu system, frustrated me many times to get rid of it.
You never want to be disappointed with the camera you’re using. As photographers, if we spend more time focusing on making the camera do what we want than the story or art we want to express, we won’t be able to capture it. important moments. This is extremely important in those moments where I’m trying to not only capture the photo as it happens, but also document myself taking the photo. So how can the wrong camera help me become a better photographer?
It’s simple, I can focus on taking photos! A camera is so beyond your control that it becomes second nature to you and you can focus all your energy on composition, lighting or the moment. This will gradually improve your skills as a photographer. Not only that, you’ll be more excited to go out and take photos when you have such a positive relationship with your gear.
Like an old car that only you can start, developing a relationship with your camera is much more important than you might imagine. If your camera is holding you back from taking the photos you want, you may lose the motivation to go out and shoot. If you love the camera you have, you’ll find yourself enjoying the experience more, making you a better photographer in the process.
The camera slows you down
While a camera that doesn’t get in your way is great for someone like me, what about cameras that get in your way? That may sound funny, but think about it. The most popular camera of the past 5 years will most likely be the one Fuji X100 line. Fixed lens, cropped sensor, “slower” camera.
Combined with the significant resurgence of cinema, it’s pretty clear that many people out there are looking to slow down and take a less-is-more approach. Just like having access to any focal length you want, limiting yourself to a fixed focal length brings its own challenges. You have to find images that fit that frame, and many photographers out there find these challenges refreshing or exciting.
These limitations test your abilities, challenge you in new ways, and ultimately push you to become a better photographer simply because of the camera you choose that day. This goes even further when trying to study film. As a beginner, I know for sure that I will be a better photographer with a camera that is arguably worse, slower, and much older than when I shot my first roll of 35mm film. . These cameras are more about the experience and relationship you have while taking photos than they are about the end result.
Before you comment, please note that I never said any of this suddenly made you a good photographer. A new or expensive camera won’t suddenly turn you from an amateur into an expert. However, they will all continually push you in different ways to improve as a photographer. Even if you don’t care about the equipment aspect at all, I’m sure there’s something you love about the tools you use that will make you a better photographer.
Still disagree? I’d love to know why in the comments and welcome any opposing views!
