is gear really important?
Short answer, no.
At least not in the way you’d expect it to.
As photographers, we are led to believe one of our most precious assets is the camera. Whilst true, the bitter truth is infinitely simpler. Expensive gear will never outperform creativity and hard work.
If you’re a beginner, this is for you:
The first step is to define the differences between equipment, style, and the want/need factor. Like many others in this community, we are all motivated to pursue photography because it was a hobby turned passion, or we fell in love with an amazing photo by a fantastic artist. Another hard truth to understand is that we don’t have to break the bank to emulate our favourite photographers, it’s a popular misconception as old as time and not limited to photography alone.
Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with us wanting to be like our heroes. The problem only exists when we imply that only specific cameras or pieces of equipment can afford us ‘that look’ or ‘that style’.
Let’s apply that reasoning to Adele now. Even though I enjoy Adele's music, I'm certain that no matter how many professional microphones and preamps I purchase, I will never sound like her. It’s sad but it’s true.
The goal is to use what you have to develop your own voice and own style. Back in ‘09, I used my 5MP Blackberry to take pictures of buildings when I was in school. Yes, they were terrible, but they served a purpose at the time. Be resourceful, if you don’t have a camera to hand, shoot on your iPhone.
Taking a photograph is the product of a process that’s entirely unique to you. It can be fast and at the same time impossibly slow. Much like every art form or passion, it’s more about the journey. Over time, you’ll acquire gear as you go along and you will have a need for the gear which is better than buying something and having no use for it.
What equipment do I use:
Interesting fact: The Canon Zoom XL and Chinon CG5 cameras cost me £50 each, and they are the sources of all the pictures you see in my portfolio and on this blog. These cost effective cameras taught me to work smarter not broke, and in a cost of lving crisis, every penny counts.
Final notes:
Please don’t spend your hard-earned cash on the most expensive camera without reading about it first. It’s worth noting, not all cameras are purpose-built for every photographer out of the box. I would suggest exploring eBay, Reddit, or Fatllama to research/buy/trial cameras.
Research, research, research.
Lastly, if you are looking to upgrade to nice new piece of kit, the same rules apply. New tools require a new method to learning. Research, trial and buy and make sure it fits your purpose, if you can find a pre-loved model even better.
Welcome to photography and good luck.