Camera Gear
Gear is good, vision is better. –David Duchemin
“They” say it’s not about the gear. Who are “they” anyway? Some say, “You must have a good camera.” Who gives all the credit to the camera? Some comment, “You have such a good eye.” There are bits of truth in these clichés. Gear does make a difference. It important to know how to use your camera. It’s valuable to understand the principles of photography. As for “the eye” yes, some people have an innate understanding of good design, but photography is a skill. I believe anyone can learn it.
Beijing China 2006 with my first Nikon DSLR
Like any skill, photography takes practice. I’ve logged my 10,000 hours. I am getting better. I still have lots to learn. The creative process keeps me engaged. My photographs are personal treasures, they tell stories of my life and my loves.
Chinese girls Beijing China 2006 – cute girls but cluttered background!
I got my first digital SLR camera in 2004. It was a Nikon. I was hooked! Wikipedia describes a DSLR camera as follows: A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that combines the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor. In plain English: a DSLR camera is a digital (no film) camera with interchangeable lenses versus a point and shoot camera (like an iPhone).
The happy photographer - Skerwink Trail Newfoundland 2007
Digital photography took me into the new age of photography. Goodbye film. Goodbye expensive film processing. I used to carry special bags to protect my film from harm from airport scanners. Digital cards took care of that anxiety. My behaviour changed too. Now I could take LOTS of photos and sort out the good from the bad when I got home. More pictures, more practice, more learning.
Fes – Morocco photo credit Michael Pearce 2017
I’m shy in new situations. My camera is a path to connect. It gives me confidence to introduce myself when I’m interested photographing a person or an activity. If we don’t speak the same language, I smile, I point at myself, I point at the camera, I point at the person. I don’t rush in. I am respectful. If someone declines, I nod courteously and move on. Most of the time people are welcoming. It’s fun. There is a mutual curiosity. I treasure memories of these moments.
The Candyman – Fes Medina, Morocco 2017
I’ve learned a lot from other photographers: the Masters, online courses, The London Camera Club, and photographers I meet on my travels. Bridge was my mother’s activity for keeping her mind active and meeting people. Photography is an activity that keeps me active and curious.
Shopkeeper in a wedding jewelry shop – Fes Medina, Morocco 2017
In 2015 I traded in my Nikon for a Fuji XT-1 mirrorless camera. Mirrorless technology meant the camera and the lenses were smaller and lighter. We were invited on a 2-week river trip down the Grand Canyon and weight mattered. That First Fuji was a great teacher – I finally understood how to use shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to get the image I wanted. Goodbye automatic mode, hello manual mode.
Boatman Chad – Grand Canyon 2015
It was an extraordinary trip. I didn’t take enough pictures.
Photo Tip: take lots of images.
Lava Falls – photo credit Michael Pearce: GoPro camera
I upgraded from the XT-1 to an XT-2 soon after. Like computers and smart phones, camera technology keeps on evolving.
Leopard – Lewa Wildlife Conservancy 2018 – Fuji XT-2
In 2019 Michael gave me an XT-3 as an early birthday gift before we left for a holiday in Italy. More bells and whistles! Faster, more accurate focusing (a chronic issue for me). My photography improved along with my post processing skills on the computer.
Fuji XT-3 – 3 pilgrims outside the cathedral - Assisi, Italy
I have some bad habits that are hard to unlearn. I hold my camera on a tilt. I constantly need to correct my horizon line. A tilting horizon impacts an image – it’s a pet peeve of mine.
For example:
Unedited raw image with a tilted horizon. A tilted horizon impacts the viewer, it’s subtle it matters.
Edited image with corrected horizon.
Photo tip: Check your horizon. If you use an iPhone edit on your phone before you post to social media.
Last weekend I upgraded to an XT-4. I charged the battery, attached a lens, and looked through the viewfinder. This message filled the screen - Pair with your smart phone? Scan this QR code. Whaaat? I have to read the manual??!! I’m ending this story here because I’m stuck.
Photot tip: Read the manual. This remains true. New gear = new things to learn. I’ll share some XT-4 photos next week after I get past step 1.
Enjoy your week and check your horizon!
To learn more about photography and vision, I encourage you to spend time with this book by David Duchemin:
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