robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

[quote=burkphoto]Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Dr. Laura, etc. prove that many ordinary people sometimes need someone to tell them that, yes, they are full of $#!t and need a figurative whack on the sides of their heads. They instinctively know it; they just want clarity and/or punishment.

I see lots of folks on UHH seeking strangers’ approval to buy this or that. I’m reminded of an executive who called an IT consultant to his office in 1995 and asked, “I need a web page. What the hell is that?”

Ready? FIRE! Aim? Whadda hell’s ‘aim’?[/quote

Alas, the PC types are ending such things.
I haven't seen Gibbs on NCIS whack the back of someone's head in a couple of years. Some one claimed abuse, harassment or some such.

Soon the cop shows will be using Nerf guns or huge pieces of sticky fly paper to bring down the bad guys.

JDG3

It is interesting that while watching this video, the first thought that popped in my mind was about cell phone photography. In a way, our cell phones of today are a prime example of a minimalist approach to photography. In one small package we have a very capable camera for stills and video. It is instantly recorded, stored and shared in many cases with little or on intervention on our part. As cell phone photographers, the only input is usually composition. No concerns about lens selections, apertures, shutter speeds etc. It is pure composition. I have seen, as I am sure many of you have also, stunning cell phone photographs that left me scratching my head as to how I would have made the shot at all. Many of these cell phone photographers, since they have constant access to their phone, shoot hundreds of photographs, many more than I do with ALL my cameras combined. By doing this they have learned how to use their cell phone, and now shoot intuitively with excellent results.

How many of us, at family or other informal gatherings, are still selecting lens, flashes etc, while the cell phone photographers have already composed, taken and shared their photos with everyone on their contact list? Hopefully, I am not the only one. In fact, at my mother's 89th birthday recently, I was getting ready to take photos on Mom and while getting my equipment ready, my phone started beeping. It was photos already taken moments before by family members with their cell phones already sent out. Many were remarkably good. Shooting in raw as I normally do, my photos would not be available until hours or days later after downloaded and processed.

I enjoyed this video mainly because I myself identify a being a minimalist in most things. In photography I have started trying to reduce carrying a huge load of equipment and using what I do carry to the best of my and the equipment's ability. Also, and I know this is sacrilege, started using the AUTO modes more. Looking at the result's of the cell phones and their full AUTO modes, we should be able to produce even better results with better and more capable equipment. Despite the teachings of my photography instructors, MANUAL is NOT always better and the AUTO modes are NOT lazy or evil. Sometimes automation does an equal or better job that we can do and is usually faster. I have many shots at family or large fast moving events in mixed lighting conditions that the shot just would not have been gotten without the AUTO settings. Try it sometime, take one lens with you, shoot some or all on AUTO, you may be surprised.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I take two approaches to photography: intentional or pre-meditated, and serendipitous.

For intentional photography and videography, I use my Lumix GH4 system —One or two bodies, three lenses equivalent to the 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8, and 60mm macro I used with film and full frame systems, a flash with LED video light, ND and polarizing filters, two mics (shotgun and wireless), cards, chargers, small video light, table top tripods, and accessories all fit in an old Domke-like SLR bag from the 1980s that fits under an airline seat.

For the serendipitous, I use my iPhone. It's always near me.

These are very different tool sets. With one, I'm concentrating on a specific training goal or documentary project that I've thought long and hard about, and for which I've done considerable planning. I'll use whatever modes are appropriate for the circumstances. I don't think there's a setting on my camera that I haven't found SOME use for, either real or imagined.

With the other tool set, I'm as prepared as a Scout with a Swiss Army Knife for minor, unexpected photographic and video opportunities. The iPhone does double duty as an audio recorder when I plug a lapel mic into it. Of course, it does dozens of other things that make life more convenient, too.

When using the Lumix, over 80% of my work is with the 12-35mm f/2.8 (24-70 equivalent). It is the classic "stretchable normal" lens. But because I grew up photographically in high school with a 35mm, a 50mm, and a 135mm, I know when "zooming with my feet" is better than zooming with the lens.

Most of my life, I've been content with a saying my grandfather cited often, "It's not how much you have that counts. It's what you DO with it."

Some folks seem to live the life of the sailor in the old Schlitz beer commercial, "grabbing gusto" or acquiring things "just because they can." That can be okay! I would never deny them their excitement, unless they invade others' rights.

Some folks tend to make analytical decisions, rather than emotional ones based upon whim or social needs. That's okay, too! I'd never encourage them to make frivolous or whimsical purchases.

There IS, however, a point at which GAS is pathetically or embarrassingly representative of perspective loss. The lawyer who lives in an inner city high rise condo, yet owns a big GMC pickup that never goes off-road or hauls anything is one example. The doctor I knew in the 1970s who bought two Nikon F2 bodies and six lenses, then gave up on photography after two rolls of slides came out bad, is another.

Sometimes less gear, used better, is more:

In 1983, I attended an Association for Multi-Image conference and show competition in Orlando. In five days, 123 shows were screened, and around 800 international attendees voted on them. They ranged from two-projector shows to a 30-projector extravaganza with three 16mm projectors and video.

The guy who won the top award that year used two slide projectors, slow dissolving his all black-and-white images. A calm, soothing narrator told the story, accompanied by very simple music. It was a heart-wrenching tear-jerker of a show about small-town life in Cuba, Kansas, created by Jim Richardson, known for his storytelling ability, which he often exhibits in National Geographic.

At the awards presentation, they presented the show again, and about 800 people stood and cheered, clapped, and cried. It was clearly the best show we had seen in a bleary-eyed, coffee-and-Visine-powered week.

https://www.livingdemocracy.info/living-democracy-daily/march-5-reflections-from-a-wide-spot-in-the-road-with-jim-richardson

https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/jim-richardson/19750

https://www.jimrichardsonphotography.com/portfolio/C0000b.w7eKeUjZ4/G0000zJOqEEWjhHc

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

He makes some great points, especially for documentary type photographers.

I find that my GAS is confined to assembling “complete” outfits for different formats and styles - 35mm rangefinder, Hasselblad MF SLR, Rolleiflex TLR, Dx SLR, etc.

Other upgrades are confined to either acquiring a tool for a special project or getting significantly better glass in a certain focal range.

Daniel’s most important point, imho, is that the gear you bring into the field significantly affects the viewpoint and style you’ll be employing. If I pick a Leica and 35mm fast lens, I’m going to see things in a very different way from if I’m packing the Hasselblad and a normal lens. Ditto a 4x5 versus a DX format SLR or any other combination.

It’s your money, spend it as you wish. But my priority is assembling a wide choice of possible outfits, and then picking a very limited selection for my day’s objectives.

One of my favorite street choices is an old Zeiss Super Ikonta with a small, unobtrusive meter. It fits into a coat pocket, shoots like a small 35 or bridge camera, and provides a huge 6x7 image with beautiful bokeh. I love taking my Hasselblad on a hike with just one lens, and maybe an extension tube.

I may not get as many shots with this approach, but I have more fun and improve my skills and eye every time. I’m not a pro - I do this hobby for my own enjoyment and artistic satisfaction.

Thanks for sharing this video, Paul! I really enjoyed it.

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I posted just before this showed up, but it expresses what I was thinking from another person’s viewpoint.

Andy

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

You couldn’t have cited a better example. You need a lathe, a jointer, a router, and a planer (or their hand tool equivalents), but rarely on the same piece.

A craftsman chooses tools wisely for the purpose at hand, and, as the old saying goes, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail.”

Andy

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Excellent. The message here will be unseen by many but it is absolutely on point.
You must become 'one' with your gear. Understand what you do and know exactly what you need to do it.
It is not necessary to haul a camera store around on your back every time you go out.
Know your gear and what it can do, and more importantly, know what you can do with your gear.


"Bad carpenters blame their tools"