How can I be a better…?
Jo Durie - Wimbledon 1984 - Nikon FM2, Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8
If the next word was ‘musician’, ‘sportsperson’, ‘chef’, or even ‘driver’, most people would start looking for some lessons and/or an instructor. You wouldn’t just go out and buy a better guitar, tennis racket, saucepans or a new car and expect your skills to instantly improve as a result!
However, when the next word is ‘photographer’, it seems many people think the answer is to get a better camera or lenses and the pictures will improve immediately, as if by magic!
If you really want to be a better photographer, you don’t need to spend £thousands on the latest 40+ Megapixel camera body, or the newest lens because it has 100mm more reach or 1/2 stop bigger aperture….
Bodiam Castle, Kent - photographed in 1989 - Nikon FM2, Tokina 24mm f/2.8 Prime lens
That money will be far better spent on learning to understand and develop the techniques and skills required to get the most out of the equipment you already have!
Oops! - Badminton Horse Trials 1991 - Nikon FM2, Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8
Many people who come on my courses are surprised to learn that they can take amazing images with whatever camera they happen to have and that 90% of the menus, function buttons and dials, are mostly ‘cheat’ devices to improve the hit rate for people who have no interest in photography as a hobby or skill - or short cuts for those who know what they’re doing and want to save time and/or improve consistency.
Of all the tens of thousands of digital images I have taken, very very few of them couldn’t have been taken equally well with my first ‘proper’ camera of 40 years ago (which I still have and use). In fact, I still consider some of my best ever images were ones taken on 35mm transparency film over 30 years ago.
As evidence of this bold claim, all the pictures used to illustrate this article were taken with my Nikon FM2 - in full manual exposure mode and with manual focus - as there are no ‘Auto’ settings!
I remember one year standing alongside an established Pro at Olympia: I was surprised to see him using two 10 year old 5 Megapixel Nikon cameras with a selection of very battered looking lenses. When I discovered who he was and where his pictures were being used, I realised he probably earned more from that event than the rest of the 20+ Pros there all put together!
In my opinion there are only 3 reasons you NEED to get a new camera:
1.) Because you don’t have a camera currently!
2.) Because it can do something you want or need to do that is impossible with the one you already have.
3.) Because you’ve broken or worn out your old one (this is me!)
Having said all that, if you want and can afford the latest and best technology AND also the lessons to learn how to get the best out of it, I welcome owners of Nikon Z9, Canon EOS R3, Sony A1, Fujifilm X-2HS, Olympus OM-1, et al on my courses!
Michele Alboreto - Ferrari / 1985 European Grand Prix, Brands Hatch - Nikon FM2, Tokina 80-200 f/2.8
‘Julie’ - Candid Portrait Competition entry 1985 - Nikon FM2, Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8
Le Mans 1988 - Nikon FM2, 50mm f/1.8