New Gear…

I read an interesting article today on PetaPixel suggesting (I think a little tongue-in-cheek) that real creative photographers needed to keep buying new gear, because that’s what they needed to keep them excited, and if they were not excited they could not be creative.

Now, I’m as guilty as the next guy of buying gear that I don’t really need, but I don’t think I agree that doing so makes me more excited about my photography or more creative - if anything I suspect it has the reverse effect, and buying gear becomes almost an alternative to being creative and actually using the gear I have.

I’ve found a way to enjoy buying gear without it costing a fortune - which is to collect vintage camera gear. But that doesn’t help with the “being more creative” bit or indeed the “actually taking photographs” bit. So one of my goals for the new year is to get better at resisting the urge to get more gear* - even vintage gear, but especially new gear - and to get better at using the gear I already have. I’m going to start a project or two that should help.

Firstly, I am going to try to shoot (and develop and scan) one film every week, with a different vintage camera and/or lens. As I type that it occurs to me that I may not have 52 working vintage cameras/lenses, though I’m probably not far off…. I’m happy to repeat, once I have identified some favourites.

Secondly, I’m going to start a series of projects (themes) - haven’t decided the full list but “Reflections”, “Shadows”, and “Self-portraits” will do for starters - and try to shoot at least one image for at least one of them most days. At the end of the year I will then create a photo bool - one chapter per theme.

Finally, I’m going to be scanning some old slides and negatives to help solidify my thoughts on what photos retain their meaning for me when they are a few decades old…

*I will make an exception for an R1 if Canon release it