Photography is nothing to do with cameras-Lucas Gentry

I shall be covering this topic slightly in a different way.

What is my photography groove?

Thank you Anne Sandler for keeping my brain meaningfully busy.

This challenge from Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed, made me think, think and think.

But then I realised that I have no definite answer.

G.A.S

I dreamed of mastering photography in all its branches!

I felt the sky is the limit in expanding my knowledge in photography.

How is it possible in the real sense?

Idiots like me always dream that anything is possible.

I wish somebody had told me about the following quote at the beginning itself.

“It’s not the camera, but who is behind the camera” Unknown

In the process, I suffered from GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) in my earlier days of photography, which made me possess an A-Z lens.

Why is it so?

My friend, it is nothing but social media influence.

On the internet I was obsessed with anything that concerned photography, not realising that the internet is nothing but the promotion of products irrespective of whether products are good or bad.

Those days anything to do with photography is OK for me to buy… be it photography-related software, books on photography, lenses and many tutorials on Udemy etc. etc.

I was misled by all the pop-ups I was getting on my timeline of photography by the paid professional photographers giving their expertise and recommending a particular lens or a particular camera body and why it is ultimate etc. etc.

When I realised, it was too late and I felt cheated by the internet community.

We learn things only if we commit mistakes, is it not so?

My advice to the new photographers is please avoid becoming prey to this syndrome.

You are sure to be drained financially.

In this context Anne Sandler’s query is apt

Decide your niche and then buy the lenses or camera bodies.

My style of photography

I just go on clicking whatever lenses are available at the time of the photography schedule.

So how to know the area of my interest?

Lightroom came to my help.

I searched my metadata in Light Room and tried to pull out the lenses I used maximum, which can determine my type of photography.

18-200 mm showed maximum number followed by 100 mm (macro).

With this result, I realised that I don’t have a particular niche. (The above lenses cover almost everything)

(I understand that there are 25 types of photography niches)

18-200 mm has become my walk-around lens

This lens can cover most situations.

As an amateur, I realized that lenses like 70-300mm f/4, 100 mm f.2.8 macros, 50-100 f/1.8, 35 mm f/2.8, 10-18 mm f/4.5, lens baby group… and so many other lenses are rarely used.

These days photography software has become much smarter than the lens itself and post-processing is the rule.

So please think before you start investing in lenses or camera bodies, books, and online classes, whether they suit your taste and your niche.

My conclusion

I concluded that I don’t have any particular groove and click whatever lens I have with me, and simply enjoy my photography.

It confirmed that I am still an amateur but enjoying things in my own way.

I feel sad that I am unable to become a professional photographer because of my job and I have wasted enough fortune on the collection of lenses etc. etc. thinking that one day I become the greatest photographer of all time!!😂😂🤣🤣

I proved to myself that I am the best example of an idiot.

All is not last.

I am glad, in the process, I learnt a lot of important lessons, costly though!!

What is my photography niche then?

Frankly, the following Phrase suits me well. I am not ashamed.

‘Jack of all trades and master of none’

These days I started enjoying photography differently.

 

Fisheye lens experience

The fisheye lens is fun. True, one will be using it rarely.

Don’t think this lens is a burden to the camera bag.

This lens gives you a different perspective.

Fisheye lens

Crystal ball Photography

This one I enjoy thoroughly.

Lens-ball-Photography

Day light long exposure photography

Have you ever tried Day Light Long Exposure Photography?

Daylight-Long-exposure-photography

It’s a wonderful experience, especially when you try to take the shot from inside a moving car. You must be sitting in the front. (not in the driver seat of course)

You get a dreamy sort of image.

Use a Cable release for stability and ND filter 6 stop to start with and minimum ISO, use aperture between 6 -11, and shutter speed between 5 to 20 seconds depending upon the scene and lighting conditions.

Fuji cameras have an inbuilt ND filter.

Thank you for your visit.

Take care, my friend.

Namaste 🙏🙏🙏

Philo

You can check my other similar posts HERE

Image by © PTP-2022 All Rights Reserved

This post is part of Ann’s LAPC #211- What is your photography groove?

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39 thoughts on “Photography is nothing to do with cameras-Lucas Gentry”

    2. to take a photo is to grasp the supplied and pant, in a negative fashion the canvas which is in essence, or maybe the term should be in a sense… duno
      that is a good reason to awake early before it’s so bright to begin to capture the much more subtle hues of light as the rays dance, in a reflective manner
      upon the supplied canvas; the other shades that assist the image’s paint, it’s a real show of thought, of meaning to consider the least of effects that become affect when you take your supplied color and squish on a negative of film, a
      it is a serious artistic vent to allow the shade’s of color OR black on white in
      considering the last effort of production, which is printing in a darkroom…
      that’s all for today hoping that the little photograph each reader took, give
      the scene for taking, photography’s tantamount to thieving natural scene.

      Like

      Reply

  2. Philo- enjoyed learning more about you through your experience with GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and I had that with teaching many years ago – thought if I had the right equipment or better supplies classes would g better – but it was quit my essence and passion that really helped deliver material – and I think I was inspired when I read about a teacher who had to use a stick and the dirt to draw
    Diagrams for his class!
    Yes – learned equipment has its place but we can get lost – as she so graciously shared with your learning adventure with camera gear!
    Your photos here were so unique and colorful

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  4. Great advice Philo, I agree wholeheartedly! I use my18-300 all the time and my zoom when appropriate. Photography is about seeing more than anything else imho. The best photographers are those who look beyond the obvious, as you do!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  5. Enjoyed and marvelous thoughts behind. Lumix and Fujifilm both are good for the starters and Fujifilm high-end gadgets are simply superb in output. Every one who Chase the gadgets have their own dreams and thoughts will be mostly similar i believe. When we try we will know the output. Only one can experience. I like this post and share it with my young photographer friends who always seek info on what is good for them….. You are always great with your view finder and timing. Keep going and bring fun around . Smile big and wish you more. Cheers.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  6. Great post Philo! Yes, you can go broke buying everything others think you need. And, it is a trap. And thinks for letting me know that Fuji cameras have a built in ND filter. There’s so much I don’T use in my camera. To go with your great advice, you’ve given us wonderful images. Thanks for joining in.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  9. Oh thank goodness, I am not alone. lol. This was funny. Kind of reminded me of when my husband was golfing. The right clubs, and of course, the right balls, and good grief if you didn’t have the cool clothes it was uncomfortable. lol.

    Jack of all trades… hmmm. Thank goodness for us because your words are always a delight to read along with seeing your photos.

    Great and creative post. Donna

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. photography has nothing to do with cameras – bravo, of all the 35mm, onetouch picture takers
    David has owned in the past 25 years, the best useable crisp photos that Dave is able to capture, all honesty is the newest Samsung S22 cellphone… Hands down, the camera on that cell is choice!

    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    whereas 35mm is a great tool, there is much method to follow, the process that photographers own..
    The activities of developing and printing is a joy we each should learn to do; the whole process is an
    easier with technology of today. Photography; an art, learn it and love it. onlizinenet.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I really enjoyed this post. In away it’s a lesson on someone else’s expense. I have been watching and reading about various lenses and even camera models. It’s time to take a break 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Pingback: All roads lead to Rome! – Philosophy Through Photography

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