let’s talk about gear baby

So, if you’re a photographer, you probably can recognise one of those magical moments: you come back home from an early sunrise photo walk or a far-away photo trip with a memory card full of pictures. You spend hours selecting and editing your favorite images, you decide to share a few of them on social media. You post, wait, and then this happens.

If you're lucky and already have some followers, your photos will reach a few of them, and they might even start liking your pictures. The first responses appear: “Wow, beautiful! What camera do you use?” Or even worse: “You must have a great camera!”

That's the moment when you want to close your Instagram account, sell your gear, get a steady job in a factory (if you don’t have one yet), become a working-class hero (if you aren't one already) and forget all about photography, visual arts, and give up on any ambitions related to them.

No joke - and with a bit of shame - I used to feel the same way. Before I realized that you can take a magnificent picture using a bread toaster. Or a calculator. I used to think that only great gear could produce great pictures.

They say, "The best camera is the one you have with you," usually referring to your smartphone. I can't fully agree, because honestly, I don't enjoy taking photos with a smartphone - except maybe a picture of my fancy breakfast at a coffee shop. For me, a smartphone is mainly a source of entertainment and a way to connect with the world, not an artistic tool.

To make pictures, I need a camera - but I no longer need a fancy one.

what do you need to take pictures

We live in a strange world where we're taught that in order to reach our goals - whatever they may be - we need to constantly keep up with the latest and greatest.

If comes to photography: you need to have (actually: to buy) a newest camera (a top brand full frame, because why not), or better two (you know, a backup just in case), a set of lenses which cover a whole range of focal lengths (from 16 to 600mm would be perfect), a dozens of UV, ND and polar filters (you never know), a pro tripod (doesn’t matter you only do streets), at least 3 extra batteries (and a power bank), the fastest SD cards (four pieces, because your camera needs at least two slots), a full set of studio lights (if you think you might like to try portrait some day), fast laptop with newest versions of software (let’s be honest, the one with a fruity logo would be the best, and also one program isn’t enough), an action camera and a drone for some extra BTS shots (no matter you don’t have You Tube channel yet) and a huge camera bag which will fit it all.
Did I miss something?

Yes, a golden credit card and a steel spine, in case eventually you would like to go on a photowalk and take all your gear with you.

Do I own it all? Almost ;)
Do I use it all? Let’s be honest, not at all.

what do you actually need to take pictures

Fun fact: most of my favourite pictures where made with the most minimalistic kit I have. Even funnier, the pictures that got most attention on social media (and are also my personal favourites) were shot with an old Nikon D3100 - my first camera, which I underrated so much at the time.

After +2 years of exploring photography, I’ve reached the point where going out means taking my recent camera (Sony A7III) and just one lens. One lens. Most often it’s a prime 35mm f1.8 on full frame (my favourite lens lately; very small and light).

My favourite travel kit is 24-105mm f4, which is more than enough (if I have zoom, I mostly move in between 24 and 70mm).
Sometimes on travels I take my A6400 with 35mm. I bought this one for my water photography, but it does a great job on the land as well. This kit limits me a bit in terms of focal length, but it’s even smaller and lighter.

In fact, this is the key to taking better photos: the smaller and lighter your gear, the more photos you’ll take and the more enjoyable it will be. More pictures mean more practice and that’s the only thing which leads to improvement.
In the end, you will be able to make great pictures even with a calculator. Or a bread toaster.

Good luck and houdoe! Take care and see you soon.

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