Why it should be Photos First, Photography Gear Second
A camera is an excellent tool that allows a photographer to take a vision from their mind and bring it into the world. Different cameras suit different creative goals, however, for the most part, almost all photographers should be able to bring their concept to life, no matter what system they hold in their hand. Yet many folks get held up on what the latest gadget is when the most important factor to success is what type of photographs you’re creating.
A couple of months ago I wrote about the importance of having a strong relationship with your camera. I stand by that piece as I believe photographers need a system that they connect to and that inspires them to be their creative best.
Personally, I shoot with a Fujifilm camera. I’m still riding out the XT2 and have zero plans to upgrade anytime soon. I love that camera and the way it fits in my hands inspires me to go out and make photographs.
Gear is More Popular than Photos
Over the course of five years, I wrote for two leading photography publications, both of which focused mostly on gear. As someone who was tasked with talking about the creative side of photography, I was often left feeling frustrated as readers seemed to care more about “the best camera” and less about all the amazing work photographers were doing.
That’s not to say the numbers didn’t come in when I would speak about the artistic side of photography, but there were not as many eyeballs when compared to the gear junkies. And I think this, in part, reflects the age-old misunderstanding that a better camera makes you a better photographer.
The problem is that in the internet age, many of these gear rounds ups are similar to Instagram and TikTok feeds. They’re designed to suck you in and keep you scrolling down the list of gear that the publisher is reccomending.
That’s not to say they’re bad, many of them a full of good information. The likes of The Phoblographer (my former employer) has tons of useful gear round-ups and reviews that can help you get your next camera and lens.
Invest your Energy in Photos
The issue is too many people spend too much time reading these types of articles. They lose hours scrolling through all the reviews and round-ups, even when the camera they have is in great condition, and they’re not seriously thinking about an upgrade. Maybe it’s because gear talk makes for easy reading, but again, a lot like social media it numbs the mind, and seldom does your time investment result in rewards.
All that wasted energy is better invested in thinking about a photography project or studying other photographers. You will certainly create better photographs by investing your time and energy in the creative aspect of the industry, rather than the tech. The more you digest the more your brain with be activated and it will help you think of and develop new concepts.
Final Thought
When you think about the best photographs ever made and the groundbreaking photography projects you’ve seen, seldom does anyone care about what camera they were shot with. Instead, we become invested in the story and the message being sent. With that in mind, don’t spend hours scrolling through gear roundups, and only view them when it’s genuinely time to invest in some new gear.
To be the best photographer you can be, you must prioritize the photos over the camera. Most of all because when everything is said and done, it’s your body of work that will be your legacy, not the gear that you shot it all with. Thanks for reading.
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