I used to be a gear head. I had the 14-24, the 24-70, the 70-200. I had primes for every focal length. I carried a 15kg backpack to go shoot a sunset.
And I hated it. I spent more time choosing lenses than composing shots.
The One Camera, One Lens Challenge
Last year, I sold everything except my Sony body and a 35mm prime. The panic was immediate. "What if I need to zoom?" "What if I need wide angle?"
The answer? You move your feet.
Benefits of Restriction
- Speed: I never miss a moment changing lenses.
- Consistency: My portfolio has a cohesive look because the field of view is consistent.
- Creativity: Restriction breeds creativity. If I can't zoom, I have to find a new angle.
Equipment doesn't make you a photographer. Vision does. And sometimes, having too many options blinds you to the simple beauty right in front of you.