I don't like being in front of a camera

I really don't like being in front of the camera lens.  I really don't.  I'm very self conscious.  I don't like the sound of my voice, let alone how I look.  I'm 43 years old.  I should not be this self conscious.  Especially in 2019.  I'm not a high school teenager anymore.  I went out today to do a video blog today for YouTube.  Unfortunately the little mic I bought off Amazon was the wrong one so no audio at all.  First world problems.  Ordered the correct one when I got home.  Should be here tomorrow.  Thanks free Amazon Prime.  😇

Photography equipment

Throughout the past decade or so, I’ve used various photography equipment to take various photos,  If you look at my Shutterstock portfolio, you will not be able to tell what camera body and lens took what photo or piece of footage.  Camera equipment is now ubiquitous.  I’ve been photographing the world around me for over 10 years now.  I’ve used various camera bodies and lenses from various manufacturers such as Sony and Canon.  The best camera I’ve ever used is the one I carry with me all the time.  No it’s not an Apple or a Samsung phone.  Although I’ve used them for some of my micro stock agency work and I’ve sold a few iPhone photos, the majority of my photos have come from a DSLR or the Sony RX100 line of cameras.  Back in 2017, when I was in Calgary for an I.T contract, I sold all my Canon DSLR equipment and went fully Sony Hybrid cameras. Particularly the Sony RX10 Mark II.  I did not want to lug around 25-30 pounds of equipment on my back while on a 20km hike through the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

It’s not the equipment you use.  Equipment gets upgraded by manufacturers monthly who come out with new features in their cameras.  Through out my 10 plus years of being in the industry, I’ve gone from the Canon Rebel line of cameras to full frame Canon bodies and Canon f2.8 lenses to just using a Sony RX100 Mark VI point and shoot camera.  Yes, the Sony RX100 VI and VII cost $1600 Canadian.  I fell victim to the “I have to have the latest and greatest” philosophy to compete with the neighbour.  I’ve had other photographers come up to my while I’m shooting with just the Sony RX100 Mark VI and tell me that I absolutely need this camera body with this lens combination to get the perfect shot.  They tell me the Sony RX100 VII is not a real camera because it can’t do this like their “pro” camera.  If you think you’re pro because you have this camera/lens combination, you are not a pro.  You’re just some guy or girl who has this camera/lens combination.  I’ve seen photographers run circles around other photographers with an Apple iPhone while these pro photographers use a 45 megapixel body with a 200-600MM lens that cost $14,000.  

A camera is just a tool like a hammer or saw.  It’s the person using that tool that makes the difference.  Always has been.  Always will be.  If you go to my Shutterstock portfolio, you will not be able to distinguish what camera and lens combo shot what photo.  And in the end, you won’t care.  As of right now, I have 15,255 photos and 1,544 clips on my Shutterstock portfolio.  All shot with different equipment.  If you’re looking for a photographer right now and they tell you that they have the latest and greatest equipment, tell them it doesn’t matter what they have.  Ask them if they know how to use it.  You’re hiring the photographer, not the equipment.

As of tomorrow

After having fun shooting the Casino Sound of Lights fireworks show with the Sony RX100 VI, I’ve decided to sell my Sony a7ii, the Sony f3.5-6.3 24-200MM lens, the Sony battery grip and my Canon Vixia HF G40.  Today at lunch I went to Henry’s, a local camera store and I ordered the Sony RX100 VII camera.  I will now be the proud owner of two Sony RX100 cameras at the same time.  I’ve used the Sony a7ii maybe a half a dozen times since I purchased it back in February or March of this year.  I’ve used the Canon Vixia HF G40 maybe once or twice in the past nine months or so.  They’ve basically been collecting dust while I go shooting primarily with the Sony RX100 Mark VI

My photography equipment will, as of tomorrow consist of the Sony RX100 Mark VI, the Sony RX100 Mark VII and the Canon Vixia RF800.  It will be the only photographic equipment that I will need.  I of course will still have the regular tripods, SD cards etc.  Editing will be done on the 2018 Apple iPad Pro.  I read an article today somewhere that Apple will be holding its event on September 10, 2019 and typically they release their new software about a week later.  So Apple iPadOS should be out on either the 17th or 18th of September.  Then I can fully ditch editing photos and footage on a Windows or MacBook laptop forever as the iPad Pro will be by only editing/multimedia consumption device.

I am really going to love this minimalist photographic experience.  Pretty much pro equipment in the pocket as far as photography equipment goes.  Editing is portable and inconspicuous.  The only thing I am waiting on now is the Apple iPadOS which should be here in about a month or so.  I am really, really happy.