I really enjoyed Dan's perspective and recognition of the effortless joy of shooting with a single camera and lens. I just recently returned to shooting 1 camera 1 lens for my docu work with the fixed lens X100V and it's been such a treat. I feel like I'm back to my roots of playful exploration of the world around me. My work has never been stronger than it is now. Of course, Dan also nails it when he says it's pretty impossible to make money without the multitasking model, which is a real shame, but that's just how the world is now. No one wants artful, considered documentary work taken over the course of weeks spent living with your subjects, they want burst mode shots uploaded 2 hours after it was taken.
Watching this for the second time after 3 years... There is no truer advice for successful photography project planning. Thanks Daniel you are the true pro!
This guy Dan is like a prophet. I don't feel compelled to worship him, rather, I feel empowered and edified. In a time where we are swamped in so much bullshit, listening to Dan Milnor is like pure nutrition. Thanks for sharing this, Marc.
As a person who finds it hard to choose what type of tea to drink in the morning, my amount of cameras and lenses expanded much over the years, so that I could cover all bases for when the occasional photo job came up. As Dan mentioned in a previous video, it pays a toll on your back to carry all that around. Now my setup is 1 small film camera with 35 (occasionally 50) and a pocket digital with a 28. One on a strap, the other in my pocket. I enjoy photography much more with these limitations and my back thanks me too. Im now working on a personal project that I’ll eventually print using Blurb next year, just using that setup. Thank you for your videos, I’m always inspired by them and they help me keep focused on taking photos and worrying less about what gear to take them with.
I agree with Dan, I enjoy photography almost for myself exclusively, not sharing much on social media…. I just bought a Nikon zfc (the camera I was waiting for years…) with a 50 equivalent lens and will only take that with me and a notebook
I enjoyed watching this video, with a reminder to heed: that keeping things simple may be the best thing for one's own photography. Thank you, Daniel and Marc.
Hah - I was waiting for him to spring the drone on us! I tried the vlog thing once… forget it. No RU-vid subscriber is worth me sacrificing the moment.
This has def been my experience as a newer photographer. Theres so many avenues that I havent really jumped into one and my creative has suffered because of dabbling.
Dan makes a great point about carrying as little gear as possible! I am new to the Leica family and have invested in a Leica Q! I really enjoy the experience of shooting with it! I recently took a workshop and was very excited as it extended my knowledge of the camera and some things to consider when shooting. It also allowed me to do some research during the workshop which led to me purchasing some books as well! Looking forward to learning and producing a magazine, photo book and a field guide!!! 😎
Interesting insight. He sounds frustrated by the situation for sure. I must say there's a lot to be said for the 1st version. I went out shooting at the weekend with two friends shooting large format. I just had the camera and one standard lens. And I got so much great content. I developed the film and scanned it same day, and wrote my blog article the following day. Version 1 wins, but then I'm not a commercial photographer. I guess v5 of Dan shows the reality of working as a photographer commercially, full time, for a company.
@@marcsilber many thanks for the interest. I doubt it will be of interest to many others though as it’s not digital photography orientated. And I’m afraid I don’t really join FB groups but the link is here if you’re interested tedsmithphotography.co.uk/photographing-wyming-brook-peak-district-on-ilford-pan-f-50-plus/
So - drones- I can help a bit here - IF you are nervous about flying your expensive drone, I HIGHLY recommend spending like $40-50 on a cheap indoor toy version OR if you have a PC or Xbox, try the virtual option w/The DRL Simulator ($20) - it is a sure fire way to get familiar with basic flight controls and will make your flight time with your expensive drone a much, much less stressful ordeal.
The example applies to all aspects of all lives. Know what represents your best self and never loose sight of it. It's usually simple, and will take purposeful commitment to keep that way. I'll recommend this video to fifty people in the next three days.
great stuff as always guys ... lot to be said about less is more .. so much easier carrying round my Fuji xt2 with 50 equiv against my canon 5d3 system (which i still love and use btw) ..
Does he mean 50mm lens or 50mm equivalent, asking as he's shooting Fuji like me. I tend to just carry my M6 with one 35mm lens or my XT2 and 23mm f2. I'm not a fan of changing lenses and carrying too much gear... I used to carry everything in my large backpack but just causes shoulder pain, can't be bothered anymore.
Love these insights from Dan. I'm hoping to get back into the bush for a solo tramp sometime soon. This after believing it was never going to be possible for some years due to health reasons. I've been thinking of recording the journey but it means taking more gear, more batteries, sound, video, possibly a drone, and undoubtedly a degradation of the experience I seek. I'm now thinking video prologue, epilogue and just the camera and note book into the bush. Thanks guys, awesome insights again 👍🙏
Daniel is so right. Combining all the elements is just too much. I stick to photography aa a main. Filming as a curiosity. I always travel or walk around with the DJI Osmo Pocket gimbal and a. FUJIFILM X-E1 with the 15-45mm kitlens. That is it and it works wonders. My drone I sold off, video making with a film camera, way too complicated. Editing takes time and skill i found out. Which I enjoy. All the other stuff just distracts from what you want to do as a photogrpahy enthusiastic
Dude, you gotta decide what you really want to do and focus on that vision. HCB was able to do books with mostly a 50mil and a body. Ok, he may have used a 90 and a 35 occasionally but majority of his memorable shots were with the 50. You yourself have done something close to this when you were traveling the world with 2 Leicas.
If the greatest photo in the world is about to unfold in front of me, I think, and I have one camera and two lenses, unknown focal lengths, which should I use to record a moment that is about to immortalise me? Possibly, maybe? Anyway best thing to do to help your photo art ( yeah right :/ ) listen to Captain Beefheart, have a shot, and take a shot, from your armchair ! And then draw the aftermath. Zing zang Ok?