Kick off to 2023 – new gear and a new found love of photography
Welcome to my first scribbles of 2023. I have got off to a slower start to my photography in 2023 than I would have liked, and with the blog I find myself continuing to over think it. I have changed camera system since the start of the year and had a few issues which now are hopefully resolved. I am not talking gear on this page as I am a believer in the gear doesn’t really matter, but I can explain the process I have taken to get to where I am. Like many others taking up photography, the first purchase is generally what the camera shop recommends or Uncle Bob. This usually results in purchasing a do it all DSLR with a kit lens and in my case an additional 50mm f1.8 prime lens. Generally good advice and most people will build their kit from there adding more lenses, maybe as a result of finding a genuine need for them or more likely due to thinking their photos will be better with that big fancy lens. My best initial purchase was what is known as a prime lens which was the 50mm. That lens quickly became my go to, then as I got increasingly into the street and documentary style and changed camera, I went to a 35mm f1.8, all requiring me to get close by using my feet rather than a zoom or long lens. Robert Capa's famous quote “If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough” holds some relevance. My reason for going 35mm was intentional and as a test to myself to use one lens at a short distance. I eventually wanted to get even closer with a 28mm which is what I am going to be using from now with a no-nonsense camera that allows me to concentrate on taking photographs.
There are many sources out there under headings such as gear doesn’t matter – except when it does these generally go on to say actually gear does matter when you start to specialize in what you shoot. During 2022 I shot mainly street and did a few events in a candid style or documentary. When I had the chance, I put some images together to tell short stories of people and places and thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and learning I got from these. Approaching the end of the year I shot a few environmental portraits of people, which involved approaching strangers, engaging them and asking permission to take their photograph, again although nerve racking it was well worth it. So, for now I have found my niche and have a direction to take my work. Or so I thought ………….
The new equipment has had me out shooting in ways I’ve not really been interested in for a while, it is stripped back and I’m not thinking about the camera or lens. It only has one lens so if I can’t get the shot, it’s not meant to be. However, it is capable of much more than my skillset at the moment and I’m simply enjoying seeing again and being immersed in the process of making a photography. The slow start mentioned in the introduction was initially in relation to volume of images and regularity of getting out, but the new gear has slowed me down in the photography process. The manual focus is mesmerizing to use and I’m finding myself using auto focus less, resulting in me slowing down and the pastime being therapeutic again. An escape!! Now that I mention escape I have never really tried macro which the new kit does, I’ve added a few images of test shots.
Looking forward to 2023 and getting lots of new images from new experiences and new people who I hope to meet along the way.