I’m Back to Writing

I recently purchased a digital typewriter for myself, so now you all get to deal with a much higher quantity and frequency of my thoughts on everything from photography to the state of the world and travel advice. The journalism here will make no effort to be subjective, nor do I think it should be. Enjoy!

"Buy the ticket, take the ride" - H.S.Thompson

Today, now more than ever, it is critical that we take the time to review our experiences in a way that we can learn from them, and if we're exceptionally lucky we can distill a delightful few drops of that wisdom gleaned to be shared with others as well. For centuries humans have understood the value of documenting their experiences and observations, and as we move into an age of digital fast media we must face the doubler edged sword of consuming information handed to us in a fast dopamine cycle format and the opportunity to experience things for ourselves, do our own OBJECTIVE research, and to come to our own conclusions. These days where the media works so hard to draw a solid black line in a world of grey area it is our right, our freedom, and our obligation to do our own research and formulate our own thoughts. THe human mind is an amazing thing and the minimal amount of effort it takes to get us to forget that and be spoon fed the ideology of those in power is sickening and terrifying. Think for yourself, it's the superpower we all have.

Also at some point we have to talk about the generational cognitive decline but that's a rant for another day.

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Why You Should Start With a DSLR

Contrary to what almost every photography youtuber will tell you, you dont need an expensive camera or a million accessories to get started on your digital photography journey. Allow me to explain.

If you searched on YouTube right now for “best beginner digital cameras” chances are that you’d be bombarded with videos telling you to spend at minimum $500 to get something that would allow you to produce good quality photos, and I’m here to tell you, despite my personal gear addiction, thats not the case.

The truth is that most people who are just getting started in digital photography probably are not wanting to spend upwards of $1000 to get kitted out for a hobby that might not pan out for them. The good news is that you dont need to spend nearly that amount in reality. The solution: Used DSLRs.

What were the top of the line digital cameras a few years ago can now be had for less than you would spend for just a lens on most new camera bodies. The Rebel T6 pictured above is a great example, available for around $220 used in excellent condition from a few reputable sources. But why would you want to buy a camera from 2016 you ask? There are a few things that old DSLRs offer that are actually really appealing to the exploratory photographer

#1 Value

As we explored above, you could snag a used T6 body for around $220, but thats just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to money savings. This camera offers access to a generation of Canon lenses that are now “old” in the eyes of a public that always wants the latest and greatest, and that means you can get them at a great value. I picked up a like new 50mm EF lens for under $100, compared to my RF 50mm which was over $300. Not only are the older lenses cheap to build out your kit with, if you upgrade to a new body in the future they can continue to be used via an adapter. Lenses aren’t the only place you’ll save money though, since these cameras are no longer in production, the third party accessories like cages, cases, and grips can be had for much less than the equivalent for a newer body.

#2 Simplicity

Probably in my opinion the greatest selling point of an older camera body is their simplicity. While they may not have all the bells and whistles of a new camera, that can be a blessing in disguise. Without a million AI features and programmable buttons, older DSLRs allow a new photographer to learn how each of the core camera settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed, & ISO) impact their end product. As a platform for mastering the basics, which any professional photographer will tell you is critical in producing a good photo, old cameras cant be beat. For those stats junkies who look at the megapixel number on a camera and think “I have to have more” let me assure you, 18mp is plenty when you’re starting out.

#3 Adaptability/Modification

While not everyone’s cup of tea, it seems like the community of tinkerers grows larger every day. Older cameras, being often more simple in design both physically and from a software standpoint are prime candidates for modification and hacking. There are whole forums dedicated to changing up your camera to suit your specific needs, and a host of third party companies willing to do the changes for you for a fee. Personally I have a Canon T5 that has been converted to shoot infrared by KolariVision. I would never think of sending off a $1000+ new camera for that mod, but something that cost me around $200? Sure!

In conclusion, there are plenty of reasons to start off with a simple, inexpensive, and easy to use (by comparison) DSLR camera. I hope you found this post helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or want to talk gear!

Why I Love Prime Lenses

The vast majority of people seem to have their first and only experience with camera lenses being a zoom lens of some kind, and I think thats a damn shame.

One of the things that has really brought me joy over the years and continues to push me to be creative and innovative in new ways has been prime lenses. With many of them being very cost effective (especially the older lens generation 50mm’s) they’re a great tool to have in your kit for a variety of uses.

There are a few things that I really love about primes, but first and foremost has to be the fact that they give access to much wider apertures than most zoom lenses that wont dwarf the cost of a good used car. Having access to something in the f1.8 range allows for stellar separation of subject and background, superior performance in low light situations (which seem to be about half of what I want to shoot in), and an array of creative and stylization techniques that can set your photos apart from others.

You can grab an older EF mount 50mm for sub $100 if you do a little looking, and thats not just cheap by prime standards, thats cheap by camera gear standards. Most prime lenses can be had for sub $1000 and tend to be lighter and smaller than their zoom compatriots, which means a more portable kit.

Lastly, I absolutely love the way that having a prime lens, or only prime lenses with you, forces you to be creative in your composition. Having to move around to get the framing you want can open your eyes to whole new ways of looking at a subject or scene and expand the potential you see in an area when you are heading out to shoot.

In short, if you are a photographer, new or old, looking to push yourself creatively, then adding a prime lens to your kit is something I can’t recommend enough.