It’s #TravelTuesday and I, Dave Williams, write to you this week from Wales where I’m finding gaps in the grey, wet weather to enhance my skills with a personal project, photographing military aircraft as they fly through the Mach Loop, a low flying training area.
I want to write about gear today but before we dive into gear talk, let’s first talk about practice. That’s the reason I’m here in Wales. There’s no substitute for consistent practice and personal projects to improve our skills. I’ve said it many time before so I won’t labour the point. With that said, it’s important to note that we can’t rely solely on practice to achieve our goals as photographers. We also need the right gear to help us capture the best shots possible. The gear doesn’t make the photographer, but it does help.
One common mistake many photographers make is going for cheaper, inferior camera gear to save a few bucks. However, this could end up costing more in the long run because the gear doesn’t work as it should, resulting in subpar images that fall short of our expectations. My best personal example of this is buying a cheaper version of the Blackrapid sling strap which ended up breaking, dropping my camera to the ground. Nothing broke, luckily, but it was a lesson learned.
Investing in quality camera gear that works the way it should is crucial for achieving our photographic goals. It may mean paying a bit more upfront, but in the end, it pays off with better image quality, sharper focus, and overall better performance.
When it comes to gear, we need to think long term. Investing in gear that works the way it should will last us for years to come, and ultimately save us money in the long run. On the other hand, cheap and inferior gear will need to be replaced more often, costing us more in the long run.
To sum up, when it comes to photography gear, it’s important to invest in quality products that work the way they should. While it may require a bit more money upfront, the investment will pay off in the long run with better image quality and performance. So, let’s keep practicing and shooting projects while using the right gear to capture the best shots possible. Happy shooting, and keep exploring and capturing the world around you!
Much love
Dave
PS – Don’t miss The Grid tomorrow!
PPS – here’s a gentle reminder that you can get 5% ($250) off my Lofoten Workshops with DAVE5 when you book. There are six workshops available (one is nearly full) and we’re going to get some mind-blowing photos in Arctic Norway. I’d love to see you there.
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