Do We Care More About Cameras Than We Do Photography? - ISSUE 38

My Thoughts On Gear vs Output

Me with all my fav accessories. Shot by Lux Lumen.

Housekeeping

Hello, hello and welcome to another installment of Love Lucy, the weekly newsletter that brings you chats with photographers from across the globe and also splices in some solo ramblings on topics that have been exciting, intriguing or even plaguing me! Before we dive into todays juicy question let’s just cover off a few fun things that are happening…

Last days to grab 20% off all prints on the shop. just last week I sold my first two fine art prints on the store and it made me feel like such an artist to know that this lovely lady wanted my photography on fine art cotton rag paper. The kodak luster professional paper is damn good too though and with the discount it’s an affordable price to spruce up your home or office with some color and sunny vibes! Click below to hit up the sale.

I’m not sure if I’m searching for the red chairs or if they are finding me?? Either way I’m happy.

Unstable lights is happening this weekend so if you are in Hamburg or can somehow be there by Saturday the 29th of April please do! There is a full program happening including wet plate tutorials and the chance to see mine, and plenty others work in person at the space. My FOMO is once again out of control.

Have you seen my new video yet? I have had an overwhelmingly kind amount of DM’s about how helpful this video was and that just makes me feel like I have done my job! If you have ever thought about making a bit of extra cash from your photography or building a community and an audience than give this one a watch.

Next week I have a fun in person 1:1 session with a local gal and will be starting a few sessions via zoom with another photographer in May. I currently have a few spots to fill for May so if you are wanting to get clear on an idea, take the next steps towards your photography journey/career or make a plan and be subject to some accountability…then hit that email button and get in touch! Read more about what’s involved and offered here and don’t hesitate to email me with questions if you have any.

Park dates with Lux and my OM10 - Shot on Tri-X with our Yashica T4

Is Gear The Enemy?

So let’s face it, we are all pretty gear obsessed right?

Even myself who isn’t really a gear gal at all seems to fall prey to sometimes thinking that a new camera will be the answer to me being a better, more competent or more enthused photog.

I keep it pretty under control though and my GAS like tendencies are more steered towards things like, another pair of sunglasses or the seemingly irresistible urge to stock up on tinned tomatoes and beans, knowing full well there is a doomsday prepper amount already in the cupboard at home, but that’s a different issue we will discuss in my food centric Substack newsletter that I hope to one day create. Now back to cameras and camera hoarders - YES that means you!

I am wedded to one and have heard first hand the reasons, sometimes said to be life changing, of why a new camera or lens must be purchased NOW! I am the bad cop here and the one that meets these requests/demands with query and speculation.

Don’t we already have something similar though?

Do we really need that?

We haven’t even had a chance to use that last camera we got yet?

Followed by my personal favorite rebuttal “wouldn’t you rather save that money for film and developing costs?”

To be totally honest 9 times out of 10 we end up getting the damn camera or lens anyway and I usually end up either learning something about my photography style or making a video that is enjoyable (hopefully) for the community - so it’s not all bad!

Something I do notice though is that rarely do these shiny new - or new to us - acquisitions ever result in “better” looking images or an increase in my general feeling towards where my photography is at. So what does this tell me/us?

We hear it all the time and everyone loves to say it. It’s not the camera it’s the person or some iteration of that sentiment that we all seem to champion and have ourselves think we believe, whilst in reality we are all scrolling eBay, watching OMTC digicam reviews and lusting after our next purchase that will finally be the piece of the puzzle we were missing. I’m not throwing shade here. I am in the same camp and most certainly a contributor to the content that feeds these photog desires.

I just simply wanted to point out that whether you own 2 cameras or 200 cameras it doesn’t really affect your photography. Well actually it does, because the person with 1 or 2 options will likely get to the end point, taking photos, much quicker then the one with arguably too many options.

I think a useful question to ask yourself is this:

What do I spend more time thinking about, absorbing and generally obsessing over?

Cameras or photos??

Sometimes it feels to me that the photography community become so fixated on gear we forget what the gear even does? Often photos become vehicles to show how good or bad a spec of the camera/lens is and to me that’s so far from anything to do with actual photography.

Cameras themselves are works of art and I totally get being obsessed with them but at a point, I think there is a limit to my love for cameras, but an eternal and ever-growing love for photographs.

Interpret this how you wish but I do not mean to besmirch any GAS sufferer or lovers of camera mechanics and history as that is a huge part of our shared hobby. I just think it’s worth drawing ones attention back to the simplicity and beauty that is the unique result coming out of your camera, the photograph!

What’s Next?

As of next week Love Lucy is welcoming aboard a member of staff to help put finishing touches, images, captions and generally organize this newsletter each week. A huge thank you to everyone who responded to my call out on IG last week - I have big dreams and plans for the future of all of my platforms and endeavors so watch this space!

Feel free to comment below with any guests you would like to see interviewed here or other topics you want me to write about. I love hearing from you!