Could not agree more with Emily and I am happy to hear a pro talk about something I have learned the last few years - the person behind the camera is the most important part of the photo.

I have seen so many examples of this in the past years. I remember in one of the classes I took on photography, a young lady was showing her photos in one our our class assignments and they were breathtaking. The images were not only good technically but the composition provoked such emotional responses in class that one could hear and feel the collective responses. Her equipment - an old Nikon, probably almost as old as she was with a kit-grade lens. I think many of us, I know I was one of them, felt our modern high-tech kit would easily allow us to excel in this assignment. But compared to her, our images were mediocre at best. I have never forgotten that lesson.

I have also seen this in my family. I have a niece with an eye for composition very similar to the lady in my class, and all she uses is a cell phone. She has had several of her images printed in local magazines and they always provoke emotion and wonder. She knows almost nothing about the technical aspects of photography or the use of a computer to edit any of her work, she does it all on her cell phone. When she takes a shot, it has to feel right to her, she seems to have an instinct on how to use the situation at hand for the best effect.

Having a technical background as an engineer, it is difficult for me to separate my interest in the technical aspects of the hobby, but I am trying to develop a more art-like and minimalist approach to photography. Hopefully, good composition can be learned and developed.

I am working toward a goal of doing more with less. To me this means, learning more about the art while eliminating little used and possibly unneeded extra gear. Hopefully, the end result will be better images at lighter weights and less wasted money.

My takeaway statement was when she said if you have the money you want to spend on equipment, it should be to enhance your experience or enjoyment of photography. I believe a photographer often finds a comfort level in owning a really good piece of equipment. Not that the equipment improves their photography, but improves their state of mind and encourages them to push the limit of what they can accomplish. In other words, seek out situations that advanced equipment will allow where less equipment would not. Example: Would she shoot a full wedding as a professional with a point-and-shoot camera -- no. While the point-and-shoot might be used by a guest for some grab shots, a full-blown wedding would not be shot with one. So someone starting to shoot weddings for pay would be wrongly advised to start with a point-and-shoot and graduate to a more advanced system later.

While she makes a good point in saying the most important part of good photography comes from between your ears, her argument that equipment is not so important is only half right. Good equipment can improve how a person feels about the entire process and therefore elevates their ability as well as presents equipment capable of going beyond the ability of lesser equipment.

I was always under the impression that there are different types of photography, like birding, street photography, action photography, astrophotography and so on.

The birders I know usually have a high megapixel camera and long lenses. Something like the Canon R5 or Nikon Z8 or 9, that have very fast focusing and eye detection. Landscape photography, also high megapixels with a large variety of lenses and a tripod is important. Street photography, a good Leica camera with something like a 28mm lens or a little longer.

Here are some examples where I had to choose the proper gear for a specific planned photo shoot. Sometimes you just get lucky.

And I wouldn't show up to a car race in a stock Yugo.

Many of you who read my comments know that I'm not a gear nut. I've always believed two things:

Mind over matter — Your photographic knowledge and experience are more important than the hunk of junk in front of your face.

Use the right tool for the job — Don't drive screws with a hammer. Sometimes you do need specialty gear.

Emily at Micro Four Nerds just released a video that is worth watching, and makes my point FAR better than I can. I'll link it below.

A bit of introduction — Emily Lowrey is a professional photographer in the UK. She does a lot of event work like weddings and has a YouTube channel that covers all things Micro Four Thirds and Lumix. Emily's been at it for decades, and knows her stuff. She sells all kinds of Lightroom presets, if you're into that sort of thing.

Most importantly, she cuts through the crap to get to the heart of an issue and lay the cards on the table. So before you think you need a new Whosawhatchit D7590 with four lenses to go on your next adventure, watch the video linked in the post below. It made my day.