Man makes snap decision to buy camera. Has fun actually using the camera to make
photographs for his own enjoyment.
It's so easy to get fixated on one small aspect of modern life and turn it into a neurosis. Research is word repurposed now to mean "pathological obsession." When we look to products to give foundational meaning to our lives we have begun to mentally color outside the lines.
The bandaged photographer above is shooting a self-portrait with a Leica D-Lux8. Rather than fixate on whether it is a re-badged something else, whether a m4:3 sensor is enough, whether it is too heavy or too light, if being made in China is really a consideration, how the price compares, etc. the photographer looked at the product, decided it might be fun and practical and so bought one. That's the last time he had to decide anything about the product other than when and where to use it. Done.
I get that people have budgets. I get that "researching" seems like you are doing practical work even if you are just reading other peoples' opinions, sometimes bereft of actual facts or statistics. But enough is enough.
Having trouble deciding? Get a sheet of blank paper. Draw a line down the middle, from top to bottom. Put all the reasons you want to buy X product on one side then put all the reasons you don't want to buy the product on the other side and use the weight of your own preferences to make a choice. And like a "y" in the road in front of you there isn't always a right choice or a wrong choice because none of us is adept at predicting the future. Once acquired your real preference should be engendering your maximum enjoyment from your purchase. End of story.
Boys race cars for fun. Sometimes to the next traffic light and sometimes in Formula One.
photographer uses a camera, now long since discarded, to make a fun and happy photograph of a model at one of the fashion shows in Paris. Behind the scenes. The camera worked. No research was done in the acquisition of the camera. It was a same day replacement for a different camera that decided to stop working at an inopportune time. Grab what you can get your hands on!
I had a small camera and a small zoom lens. I had a choice. I could have been in my hotel room "researching" what camera might be best for street photography or I could be out on the street with any camera taking fun images. Seemed like a very straightforward choice.
I did not research anything about taking this particular photograph of actor, Renee Zellweger.
We were playing around in the studio and she struck a pose. They pose and you push the shutter button. Research means sitting motionless in front of a computer or with a photo magazine in your hands doing essentially nothing to really move your game forward.
Ah. The huddle. Going out to see stuff instead of making minute by minute plans.
Bic pens or Pentel?
Paper or plastic?
Nikon or Canon or Sony?
Mac or PC?
Gas or Battery?
Choose quickly and get on with the important stuff in the life of an artist....
Making the art.
6 comments:
Are there still any photo magazines?
Excellent post. So many people are stuck in analysis paralysis.
If it's hard to choose between two alternatives, then they are about equal and it doesn't matter which you pick. The most useful information would be how well they work for you, which you can't know without trying them both for a period. So just pick one and be done with it. Since I realized this, my life has become much calmer and more pleasant.
a lot of the people writing stuff on the interwebs tend to be people who like spending time on the interwebs and that might intersect a bit with overthinkers. People who are in love with real life are slightly under-represented online. I am here because i think you are a bit of an exception, a very active person in your real life world and also a great writer : )
Nicolas, you helped make my day. Thanks!
My criteria for buying a camera: 1) does it do what I want it to do? 2) will it be fun to use? In the end, those are all that matter.
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