We hear many people talk about how the camera is a tool, don’t buy what you don’t need, don’t spend you money on that new piece of gear until it makes you money, the camera doesn’t matter, it’s the photographer.
While I know there is some good advice behind some of those statements, I must say that the camera is more than just a tool and yes, gear does matter. When we talk about being a creative, we talk about having new ideas and trying to see things in a way that we have not seen before. It’s our experience that creates the unique view of the world that we have.
Cyclocross race, shot on fullframe Canon at 17mm
Gear helps us do this. that new lens changes what we see in the viewfinder, that new zoom lens you wanted (sometimes you can’t just move closer), the new camera body has styling that can inspire you to use it a certain way. For myself I have found that the retro designs that camera companies like Fuji employ have made me excited to try different styles of photography that I had never done before. Deep down I always wanted to try those different styles but I was inspired by a piece of gear, I went out and actually did it, for me that was street photography. Having that discreet camera with the quiet shutter made a huge difference for me and helped me get over my fears of street shooting. Anything in my life that makes me want to create is welcome and desirable.
Shot at the crosswalk. Camera was small and most people paid no attention.
If we didn’t have those options, we would still create. We should never use not having gear as a crutch to not create, we shouldn’t crap on it either though. Don’t forget there are creators just like us working for those companies designing products that elicit specific responses. They put in the work and we can respond but we should respond truthfully. If you like the rangefinder style camera like the X-Pro series, there is nothing wrong with that.
Wants aren’t needs and you don’t have to justify everything in your life. I wanted that X-Pro and it is my goto for specific types of photography now. It was a surprise to me how well it worked in situations like my street photography. It doesn’t replace anything but it has a place in my bag. That piece of gear matters to me.
A little disclaimer though, I am not saying you need a ton of gear just so that you can get started. For different types of images and styles of photography, you need certain amounts of gear to make those images. Knowing what you want to shoot and understanding the process will allow you to get only the gear you need to achieve the look you are after. Never be discouraged that you don’t have that one lens of that camera body.
Get out there and create!
13 stops of ND filter for an 80s exposure in daylight