A few years back, I walked into a camera store looking for a battery to accompany the camera I just bought off Craig’s List for the price of a tank of gas. The customer service rep looked all over but could not find a compatible battery. I thanked him for trying. That’s when the wheels fell off the bus and he said arrogantly, “Come back here when you are ready to buy a real camera and we’ll help you.”
I first thought that was not a very nice thing to say. Second, I vowed to never go back that particular camera store. Third, I referenced legendary photographer Ansel Adams’ quote about what it takes to capture a scene through the lens.
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
Adams clearly did not possess the state-of-the-art cameras that are sold today. What he did possess, though, was living life passionately and documenting it through the lens.
So can you.
At 12-years-old, I won a Boy’s Scouts of America photography contest at a local level. The photo was taken of a waterfall with a Kodak Instamatic. Not exactly a state-of-the-art camera. I look at that picture today and think to myself, “That’s a photo I could have very well taken yesterday.” Often, the subject matter we embraced many years ago remains fondly embedded in our adult hearts and minds. And we can return to that place with the joy that we had back in the day…
The point is, just enjoy taking photos of the people, places and things that mean the most to you. Cameras have come a long way, also, and even the least expensive ones will allow for quality photos — especially during the daytime. And, yes, some smartphones have approached the quality of the best compact cameras.
Moral of the story: Don’t let someone try to sell you a fancy camera. Enjoy the camera you have and more importantly, make sure first to love the life you live. Your photos will come out better no matter what kind of lens.
Additional reading
Classic New England travel through photos
Photo of the day: Bird Park in Walpole, Mass.