Today, not images just words I am afraid, but to many aspiring photographers I hope words of wisdom. It concerns many, many photographers who are far too concerned and spend too much time looking at and lusting for new equipment.  Now I have one, yes just one, camera. A Nikon D700 with a 85mm lens, that’s it one camera and one lens. That’s it I am afraid no other digital camera.  Yes I also have a 10×8 Gandolfi and a Hasselblad but both are film cameras and anyway thay also just have a single lens each.

When we host workshops I am always amazed at the amount of kit some photographers have, in some cases enough to start a small retail outlet!  But is it all necessary I ask or is it just a vanity kick, the ‘I have so much kit I must be a good photographer’? Well lets face simple facts, its not the camera that takes the image its you the photographer, rather its your heart telling your brain to tell your finger that this is a good/great moment to press that shutter release. Its within you, the photographer, its your emotional interaction with the image that tells you that the moment has arrived, the camera is simply a mechanical object that captures what you tell it to capture. It’s a tool, it’s not magic and it does not have a mind of its own. No camera has ever won an award nor will one ever win an award the author of any image is the heart, mind and soul behind the viewfinder so rather than spend even more money on the latest camera body or lens, pause, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s all within you to create the image all you need to do is to see the image and then capture it on whatever medium. In truth you should be able to create an excellent image on any camera, film or digital, so instead of always wishing for new kit make use of the kit you already have to create some new and exciting image. The secret is to set youself a project and just get out there and take images.