Have I invested in Photography?
When I was brought to Photography, decades ago, then I haven't imagined that would probably be my biggest investment.
Don't get me wrong. By "investment", I don't mean money only.
So, here is a list, that I'm going to try to make full, with all the investment sides.
Photographic equipment
Learning
Photographic travels
Time
Let's break it down.
Photographic equipment
Do you know that joke of a photographer, invited to a dinner where they shared the photographers and the host said "Beautiful photos! You must have a great camera!" After finishing the dinner, the photographer thanked by saying "Everything was very delicious, you must have a great oven!".
That is true, it is much more important who is behind the camera. Probably, less and less though, as AI is taking care about that too, more and more.
Nevertheless, the equipment matters. Yes, the size matters too in that regards! :)
I see many people are proud with the equipment they use so why not, I should probably also be proud with that and put it in my posts too.
So here is a table, not a full one, though, with some of my most used equipment. With regards to digital equipment, I always buy new, second-hand cameras are a no-go for me, and second-hand lenses for them could be a risky endeavor as well.
Some of my equipment I use:
| Cameras | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
|---|---|
| Canon EOS M5 | |
| Canon EOS 550D | |
| Lenses | Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
| Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM | |
| Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM | |
| Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM | |
| Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM | |
| Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 | |
| 7artisans 35mm f/1.2 | |
| Strobes | Dynaphos Speedster |
| Flashes | Metz |
| Tripods and Mono-pods | Manfrotto |
| Benro |
As you could see, I mostly trust on Canon. Their equipment has never failed me so far. Of course, I have tested, rented and borrowed other cameras, lenses and accessories.
That list is far from complete but I don't want this to be too boring, LOL. Any questions, please let me know!
It would hurt to calculate how much I spent on these but hey - that's a line of business I've taken years ago. Some of the equipment paid back times, some other - has not, so far. It is like any other investment. Risk exists everywhere :)))
Learning
It is not only the time spent online learning new stuff or getting inspired by other photographers and pictures. I have paid to attend to many courses, seminars, exams, workshops and laboratories.
I also have a decent library of photography-related books.
I wouldn't be surprised if I sum up all the time I spent learning and the result is months, probably an year or so.
Photographic travels
Now those are the travels designed and planned with Photography in my mind. Well, sometimes I go to popular and famous places but generally I try to avoid the overcrowded destinations. What's the point of creating a photo that other thousands of people have too, right? Of course, unless it is for personal memories only.
Some of the locations I've been to are quite expensive. Well, truth to be told, as a person who lives and works in Eastern Europe, all of the travel destinations I go to, are expensive, at least from my perspective.
I'm gonna give you three examples only. Switzerland, Iceland and Norway on top of my list, where a pint of draft beer was about the amount of a usual weekly grocery shopping back home :) I didn't mind having that one, at all, 'cause chasing the Aurora Borealis was a success and it had to be celebrated. Only once though.
Time
What I mean here is the time I spent volunteering, teaching, mentoring, curating and coaching other people, sharing my works too. I have done that a lot, I still do occasionally, when asked. You know, nobody likes unwanted advices, lol... Also, life's getting harder for the most of us, lately, inflation, pandemic, wars, so unfortunately, less volunteering lately.
Now, no more words, here are a few pictures from one of the most beautiful European destinations I have ever visited - magical Iceland.
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Copyright: LightCaptured
All the photographs, digital art and text in my posts, unless specified otherwise, are my own property and created by me.
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Have a great day!
The divider I use in my posts I have created in Adobe Express.
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@pixresteemer(5/5) tipped @lightcaptured
Well, I agree, photography is expensive, mainly for those who do it as a hobby.
I did analog photos for something like 20 years. This was also quite expensive, beside cameras and lenses. There was the cost of the films, lab gear, chemicals and/or development costs.
For the film cameras I did mainly: Canon gear, however I learnt photography with a Leica M3 !!!! And I developed the b&w films in the lab.
In the digital era, I have been using Sony gear. I dream to have a Leica Q3!!!
Strange I didn't talk about my analog experience in this post. Probably because I shoot 99% digital :)
I started in the 80-ies of the previous century with a Soviet-built Smena 8 camera, fully mechanical one. Everything back then was bloody expensive. I've been developing and photo-copying much of the my photos, some I was able to afford to be developed in a lab too. I know people who use the combo of Sony bodies and Canon lenses, they say that's the best in terms of landscape photography image quality. I had Sony camera that was stollen during a robbery. Sony handles colors very well :)
Nice to know your path in the photo world.
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You are right, for you to have a good photo, you must invest in photography. With good cameras and lenses, your photographs will be top notch and you will also be proud of your work like you have said.
That's correct and as I have mentioned, good cameras and lenses are necessary but that's far away from enough ;)
Thank you, have a great day!
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Man, you need to get over here...you can have about 30 pints of beer for the price of a week of groceries!
I have been enjoying my simple Canon and the Pixel camera of late, but have been tempted by evil thoughts to splurge on that Fuji x100 digital...I mean, the cost is equivalent to quite a few pints, yet at the same time it would be fun to explore. Any thoughts on that camera from your experiences?
:)))
If I even go and change the brand, or I have to start over, Fuji is on the top of my list. I love everything about the features and the build quality of their bodies and lenses. Especially the prime lens, and especially the bodies sensors dynamic range. Fixed lens on that particular model though? Hm... not my thing, I want to be more flexible but of course, that adds lots of pints on top :) Of course, only my humble opinion. Also, I am a bit of a shopping minimalist myself, if something works I utilize it until it serves well.