Took a short walk around Encino where I live. While leaving the house I was on the phone with a friend and at the same time took the camera. I spent a some time and many walks around Ventura Blvd. mostly early in the morning to get some exercise on recovery days and without a camera or phone. On this day Jackie wanted to rest and I did not have much to do this weekend.
At first, thinking that there not many opportunities to take photos near my house I brought the camera anyway. The weather was great and the sunset turned out to be a mild weather with a few long clouds. I’ve taken many photos of sunset and a quick post about it here. Some times sunsets are epic other times are what I like to call mild.
Do I need more photography gear?
Have not been buying any new photo gear for a few years. I do always check out new cameras online and like to look at new features and compare photos taken with new cameras. To me, seems like the camera tech in the last 10 years has grown into a marketing machine. With support of YouTube, Facebook & Instagram along with influencers create a void inside and making me and others feel like to get good photos we need the latest and greatest gear.
I have no idea how many cameras are sold each year. Yet, there are very few exceptional photos being posted. The ones who do post great photos always have an alternative with posting a camera used. All the time that camera is the latest that a camera manufacturer released. When people see these great photos they imagine that it is the camera which holds them back from taking amazing photos.
I had similar thoughts at the beginning of my photography journey. Being host I thought the same – a camera which can take amazing photos. I still fall into that trap today because Im not immune to these marketing tactics. Its been a long time since my last camera body purchase. I mean a long time! My DSLR is a Canon 5D Mark III and my compact cameras are Ricoh GR II and GR III. My GR III is the one that I’ve had so many issues with that I consider it a camera which works only when it wants to.
In my opinion the new cameras have taken huge strides in the size, autofocus and few other areas. They are just smaller, faster portable computers with a lens and a sensor. When talking picture quality especially those who are called pixel peepers – (idiomatic, photography) A person who carefully scrutinizes a magnified digital photograph in order to evaluate resolution and image quality. This is not me.
I remember when I tried to learn to play golf. So similar in thought that better golf clubs would improve my game. Yep, never did improve my game. Another example for me is riding bicycles. Exactly the same advertising pattern on YouTube and other social sites. Have to admit that I’ve been cycling for a long time and had so many bikes. None of which made me any better at the sport. I do think that having a bike or two is great.
Better Photography Gear Today
As I said, Im not immune to marketing nor having the thoughts of “maybe a new camera will improve my photos” still arise. I feel like at various points Im dissatisfied with the photos which I have been taking lately. Hence the lack of posts. When I feel that way – thats the time I want new camera gear. Thats the time when thoughts are that a new shiny object with some speed improvements will motive me to go out and take more photos from which I will not get any more satisfaction.
I do see that new camera bodies are improving in weight, focusing, subject recognition, video capabilities and mirrorless tech. I did catch the new gear bug recently. I love full-frame sensor in a compact camera body. I pay attention to that specific market of compact full-frame. The Lumix S9 really caught my eye. In the specification there are quite a few items that tick the box for me including 6k video.
So I go through the shill videos on YouTube where they say how amazing the camera is. Reviews are decent and the video capabilities are fantastic. Almost decided to get one. Yep, talked myself out it. A new shiny thing is not what Im looking for. Im looking for the shiny gold that is deep inside my soul.
