???? You must be watching too many shills who only concentrate on photography. I love to bash those who move from system to system, thinking a name on a camera body will make them a 'better' photographer. Not even close. I love my Sony cameras as they are comfortable to use, not something that will give me trouble. It was like my Nikon F2 of old. It was a machine that I loved. It was comfortable, it was me and we did great stuff in the past. Ultimately, it is you capturing that image you see and putting it on your wall. I can go through all the different cameras I went through over the decades, having a blast all the way. Ultimately, I had to settle on a system and for years it was the Nikon F system.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Keeping it simple and genuine is important to me, so I’m glad that came through! Appreciate your support!
Wow!!! Just found your channel and watched this video of yours. Not only is your photography wonderful, but what you say about photography in general is incredibly helpful. Thanks!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m really glad you found the video helpful and that my photography resonated with you. I appreciate you checking out the channel and taking the time to leave a comment! It's great to have you on board!
This video was extremely encouraging to me. Being predictable and photos all blending together is an easy trap to fall into. Thank you for summing this up in such a short video yet very informative!
I’m so glad you found it encouraging! It’s definitely easy to get caught up in trends and lose that sense of individuality. Taking a step back to focus on what *we* want to capture makes such a difference. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
Starting digital photography over 16 years ago, I started with a Canon point & shoot camera. I used the presets on the camera at first to see how the camera would choose the different settings for different subjects. After a while I realized that aperture would be my first setting in would set my camera, this was depending upon the subject and how much of the photo i wanted in focus, this led me to using aperture priority. So after aperture I would set ISO again depending upon the amount of lighting and how fast of a shutter speed is needed. I used exposure compensation to fine tune the way i wanted my photos to look, this allowed me to concentrate on the subject that I was photographing as I felt lighting, subject and composition were the most important part of photography. I know that many photographers use manual mode but it's not the best for everyone and every situation. People pay a lot of money for camera bodies and shooting in manual mode all the time disregards the technology that you paid so much money for.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey-it’s awesome to hear how you’ve developed such a thoughtful approach over the years! I love how you’ve used aperture priority to stay focused on what really matters: lighting, subject, and composition. It’s easy to get caught up in settings, but we definitely agree on this-sometimes letting the camera do some of the work frees us to just be in the moment with our subject. Your perspective is a great reminder to make the most of the tech we’re investing in for the right reasons. Really appreciate your insights!
I bought an old Leica M240, black paint, brassing with age.. Now I own one lens, a 35mm. Got rid of all my other camera gear. At last, at 67 I figured out what my niche is so I try to keep it simple. I limit my options to stay focused, and to figure out what the minimum is I need to succeed. The Leica is a simple camera, the lens is manual focus. A joy to hold and shoot. In the end the shooting experience is all that matters. The camera and the lens will then become an extention of you.
That sounds like an incredible setup! I would love to shoot with a Leica one day. Must be an amazing feeling! There’s something so special about stripping things down to the essentials and truly connecting with your gear. It’s amazing how much more personal and rewarding photography can become when we simplify. I’m sure those photos are more meaningful than ever. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thanks so much! I’m really glad the advice helped and that my photos inspired you. Keep shooting and pushing your creativity! Appreciate the kind words! 🙌
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Honesty is something I always aim for, especially in my approach to photography and these vlogs. It’s great to hear that it resonates with you!
Beautiful video. As a photographer who does this half for fun and half for money, I resonate with many of the "mistakes" you made. I place great value out of these "mistakes" and I can attribute them to making me a better photographer than I was years ago. Although an obsession with technicalities such as ones you have described hampered my creative process, learning the tools of the job ultimately makes the process flow easier. I encourage learning through examples of others as inspiration and discovering new techniques (even ones you will never use) is always a fun learning experience. Ultimately, I wholeheartedly agree that when it comes to bringing your soul into this art, translating emotions and experiences into a visual medium is the truest, most aesthetic, and most human thing a photographer can do. Perfection through imperfection is beauty, and learning "how", but more importantly "why" is a process which can take a lifetime to understand. Practice and thought through reflection is a slow and tedious process, but one which brings joy as you begin to unravel what photography means to you. I hope one day, I will be able to find my inner peace, and to be able to express who I was through my photography. For those beginning this journey, go wild. Experiment with everything and absorb techniques like dry soil in a rainy day. Practice only makes you advance and mistakes are always lessons in disguise.
Thank you for this beautiful comment! As I mention in the vide, I can relate deeply to what you said about both learning from mistakes and finding beauty in imperfection. There’s definitely a balance between knowing the technical aspects and not letting them dominate our creative flow. The more we know our tools, the more they become an extension of our intentions, almost like second nature. I agree-it’s inspiring to learn from others and discover new techniques, even if some don’t end up in our everyday toolkit. Every experiment, every misstep has a place in shaping our perspective, and they all bring us closer to understanding our "why" in this art form. I love how you put it: translating emotions into a visual medium is perhaps the truest expression of photography, and it’s a journey that never really ends. Wishing you all the best on your path to finding that inner peace through photography. Your passion really shines through, and I’m sure you’ll reach that place where your photos reflect who you are. Thanks again for sharing such thoughtful words-it’s always a pleasure to connect with others who resonate with this journey.
My first comment was halfway through the video, and now that I have finished you touched on the most important part of photography that is over looked, the person behind the camera. I to over the years have added many more cameras than I need, but the reason I have so many camera bodies is the same reason I don't use a smartphone for photos. I still have the very first DSLR i purchased, a Pentax K100D Super, over the years I added many newer bodies and when I started photographing events, I expanded my camera and lens collection. I was still working as a State Corrections officer when I started shooting events, it started slowly photographing the Memorial day event at work and later a few weddings for coworkers. after photographing my third wedding and other projects for the facility, I became known as the facility photographer and I got to photograph the retirement portrait of the next to last Superintendent, i also put together a photo book that was presented to him at his retirement party. When I retired after 41 years my photography work is the one thing that I felt good about. Two years before I retired and three years after I photographed any event that I could get. Weddings, Baptisms, family photos and portraits, birthdays and a motorcycle club photo shoot. Photographing events was not about making money, I worked with people of all different ages, the oldest couple were 7o years old when he got married. I was collecting my Social Security and pension so for the first time i was getting paid with out working. It was a strange feeling, so photographing events for people on a budget made the transition to retirement easy. It pushed me and for the first time i felt like I was doing something I enjoyed and being a part of a couples important day was something I never thought would happen. I used a wide variety of glass during this time, everything from a Pentax wide angle fish eye zoom lens to standard 24-70 F2.8 and many different prime lens from 20mm to 85mm, used both full frame and APSC camera bodies. I worked by myself and many events were photographed out doors so I used every angle, body position and vantage point to get more interesting photos. When children were involved in many of my events, being over 6ft tall many times i was the tallest person in the room, so many times i would shoot from a sitting or squatting position. I will finish by saying that event photography is the hardest thing in photography i have done.
In continuation to the previous comment then... let me thank you for sharing your journey with me! I really enjoyed reading it as it gave me your perspective on how you grew as a photographer. It is always very interesting to see how different people get into photography and how their photography evolves and how they evolve with it. From your story I gather that photography has been a true calling for you. I love how you stepped into event photography, not for the money, but to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments for people who needed it. I’ll try to keep that mentality as well. There’s something so powerful about using photography to be a part of people’s lives and celebrations, even as you’re adapting to a whole new stage of life yourself. You’ve lived through so many lenses, literally and figuratively! Thanks for sharing this, truly-it’s a reminder of the connections and stories behind the camera that mean just as much as the photos themselves.
Presence is the most important tool in the visual arts. If you aren't there emotionally, intellectually, your photographs will illustrate that fact, no matter how dazzling or manufactured. Keepers are elusive but the more time you spend with your viewfinder the better the resolution.
Beautifully said. Photography really is as much about showing up fully-emotionally and intellectually-as it is about technical skill. The more we’re present, the more genuine our images become, even if they’re not “perfect.” Thank you for sharing this insight-it really resonates with what I was hoping to convey!
This was superb, thank you. I hear echoes of myself in everything you just said... ive been doing this for 20 years and im still making mistakes, but slowly arriving at the same conclusions you have. Instant subscribe and insta follow. Thank you Sir.
Thank you so much for the kind words! It’s amazing to connect with someone who’s been on this journey for 20 years and can relate to the process of learning and relearning. Mistakes really are such a big part of it, aren’t they? It sounds like we’re both arriving at a place where the “why” matters more than the “how.” I’m honored to have you along for the journey-thanks for the follow and the support!
Yes, it comes down to the photographer more than the equipment. I suppose we all fixate too much on kit, or fast lenses, or emulating someone else’s style. One photographer I follow sold all his gear and bought one fixed lens 28mm camera-to force himself to simplify and focus more on creative composition. As a result, his photography blossomed. Thanks for a helpful video.
Thank you! I completely agree-gear can easily distract from the creative process. Simplifying to one camera and a single focal length, like that 28mm setup you mentioned, really challenges us to focus on what we’re capturing. It’s incredible how those kinds of limitations can help us center on composition, lighting, and the story behind each shot. Personally, I feel very at ease with the Ricoh-it simplifies everything and keeps me in the moment. But I do still enjoy using my larger gear, like the Fuji XT-5, when I want to capture a specific look or feel. I find that knowing my gear well helps me visualize shots before I even take them. So while it’s useful to understand what each camera can offer, it’s also key not to get too fixated on the gear itself. It’s all about finding that balance. There’s definitely a lot of value in stripping things back, especially when the latest gear can be so tempting. Sometimes, less really is more. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts-I’m glad you found the video helpful!
'real photography happens in the moment, not before it' is a great quote, particularly when applied to a fast changing environs (yet it's also true, as Ansel Adams put it, quoting Pasteur, that 'chance favours the prepared mind') Connection with the subject, in the form of empathy, is one way of realising the truth in your statement. When you feel something strongly, time dilates. And fortunately, empathy can encourage rather than hinder a visual response when it's combined with discipline (by which I mean situational awareness). Maybe it's just me, but I think a lot of people, when taking a photo, are more concerned with how an audience viewing the finished print is going to respond to it - and getting a dopamine rush -instead of relating to, and paying attention to, the subject at hand in order to do justice to it.
Beautifully put! I resonate so much with this idea that a “good shot” isn’t just a random occurrence. We take thousands of photos to train ourselves in using our equipment and composing effectively, building skills over time so that we’re prepared to capture those incredible, fleeting moments. A great photo might look “lucky,” but it’s usually the result of years of experience. I also really agree with your thoughts on empathy-toward both the subject and the scene. Personally, I love shooting in fog. I almost feel my heart rate rise from excitement when I'm about to photograph in those conditions. It deepens my connection with the subject and lets me do it justice in the shot. I’ve found that my best photos happen when I’m truly present, completely immersed in the moment. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking about how others will react to our photos, and sometimes I catch myself doing that, too. But as you pointed out, this mindset can be counterproductive. Staying focused on the present moment and the scene in front of us always leads to more authentic work. Thanks so much for sharing such a thoughtful perspective John-I really enjoyed reading it!
Συγχαρητήρια για το βίντεο Αριστείδη. Εξαιρετική και η εικόνα και ο ήχος. Σχετικά με το περιεχόμενο, θα συμφωνήσω σε όλα μαζί σου και προσπαθώ και εγώ από τη πλευρά μου να κάνω το ίδιο.
Ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα καλά σου λόγια Γιώργο! Χαίρομαι που σου άρεσε το επίπεδο της παραγωγής. Είμαι σε μια φάση που προσπαθώ να ανεβάσω την ποιότητα των βίντεο τόσο τεχνικά όσο και σαν περιεχόμενο και είναι ωραίο να βλέπω πως αυτό φαίνεται. Σε ευχαριστώ ξανά για την υποστήριξη!
The gear is important. The smaller the gear, the better 😅. I wouldn't carry a big heavy camera and lens everyday. I think everyone interested in photography must have an small camera with small lens on it.
Gear is important!Don't get me wrong!My point is that you shouldn't think about the gear all the time. Going out with 4 lenses, constantly swapping lenses, etc, is counterproductive. These days, I just decide on 1 camera and a good prime lens before going out, and I stick to it for my entire photo walk. And whether I am going on a photowalk or not, I always carry my Ricoh with me. I agree with you on that. A small camera with a small lens, or something like the Ricoh, should always be with you. What is your EDC?
@@AristeidisSfakianos my only problem with these cameras is the lack of viewfinder (and how easily the RX100 sucks dust into the sensor). I sold my other Sony gear (a6000 and lenses). I'm thinking on which system to get. Nikon seems great but the size is a con. Fuji could be near perfect, cameras like the XE4 or XT30 have viewfinder and are on the small side.
@amermeleitor I've heard many people worry over the lack of viewfinder in small cameras like that. Ricoh gives you the option to mount a viewfinder, but it is quite expensive. Fuji XT-30 is a good option with the viewfinder the way it is incorporated into the camera. The same applies for the xpor system. However, these cameras are a bit bulkier. What about the ever popular x-100v?
This theme has been done to death on UA-cam. "Stop taking good photos". "Why nice photos are bad". While it might not be click bait per se it sure has become a fad. And every one of these videos is the same. A lot of them, like this one, are well done videos and the photos are often fantastic. But the theme is silly. A good photo is a good photo. A nice photo is a nice photo. And a bad photo is a bad photo. Settings, gear and composition have NEVER dictated what makes a photo artistically "good" or "nice". Maybe it is good for a beginner to hear that following the "rules" isn't necessary. But for most anyone else this is not a revelation. What will be nice is when this UA-cam theme quietly dies down and we get back to more meaningful content or at least content that lives up to title of the video.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts-I really get where you’re coming from. This topic is a popular one, and there is a lot of discussion around it. Taking the opportunity, I wanted to make this video to reflect on my own process, the phases I’ve gone through, and how moving past the rules helped me shape my own style. I know it’s not groundbreaking for everyone, but I hoped it might resonate with those at a similar point in their journey as me. Your feedback honestly motivates me to keep digging deeper and bring fresh ideas to the channel. Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to share this!
I primarily do street photography. I use to ask myself should I take this shot. I no longer do this. When in doubt I take the shot. During the time I’m deciding whether to push the shutter the subject frequently moves and the decisive moment has past. I use a digital camera so there is no financial cost for pressing the shutter and being wrong. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
That’s exactly the mindset I’m talking about Marty! We can’t always predict when the decisive moment will happen, and even if we sense it approaching, we won’t know for sure until it manifests. So, the best we can do is to shoot and hope for the best. Worst-case scenario, we just need more hard drives to store the less productive shots (I never delete photos, either). And really, there’s no harm in that!
I see many people like this one as aimless in the world of photography. Like someone painting an image, there has to be a purpose. When I listen to Aristeidis, I see something missing, yet he is almost there. The missing piece is photojournalism, a style and technique to get THE picture. That is what he is striving for yet doesn't realize it. Being trained in PJ style was a godsend for me. Using a camera and the lenses to get the picture was important. Knowing the hardware is very important as your composition skills. Most everyone I see on YT are shills for hardware. Most have so-so photography skills. When you fully understand the hardware and the artist in you, then great shots will emerge. For us old timers, we went through film like water. It disciplined us to not waste film, to compose, to think about what we wanted. Maybe it would be great for young photographers to grab an old camera from the 70s, get a few lenses and fire off rolls of film. Learn, slow down, understand lighting. Using basic mechanical cameras taught me a lot. I easily translate that to today's digital cameras. But then I think back to those days, and with a mechanical camera, I set the aperture, shutter speed and focus. When I pressed the shutter button, it fired. It didn't think. And by using mechanical cameras, I learned timing, and timing got me some great pictures. We live in a world where our digital cameras hold our hand. My Nikon F2, great camera, was no more potent than a simple Pentax Spotmatic F. We forgot how to really shoot photos.
I think you miss the point. We all have our own processes and aims. I would never question yours so why should you question others? We can share experiences and tips without trying to invalidate others perspectives and styles.
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights! It’s true-there’s so much value in learning the fundamentals with film cameras. That hands-on control over aperture, shutter speed, and focus can teach patience, discipline, and intention in each shot. I definitely see the merit in photojournalism, and I have a lot of respect for photojournalists too. I see how this particular type of photography can help me in capturing "THE" moment that conveys a story. It is something I would like to get into. Not sure which route yet, but eventually I will get there. For me, the process of letting go of “nice” or “perfect” images is part of finding my authentic voice. While I strive for storytelling in my photography, I’m discovering that sometimes the most compelling moments in street photography aren’t necessarily polished, but raw and unfiltered. Digital cameras do give us an ease and speed that can lead to complacency, and I try to counter that by slowing down, even in a digital environment. Thanks again for the encouragement to explore and to understand my tools more deeply. It's always a journey, and I’m grateful for the advice and perspectives from experienced photographers like yourself!
I have a totally different experience, my photography got better when I found my focal length, when I bought a full frame camera and a very good lens. That's when I felt the drive to shoot more and that's when I felt that I can finally focus on composition. I understand why you make these videos, why every influencer makes them. You all seem to disregard the fact that your experience with different cameras and glass made you the photographer you are right now. So I completely disagree, that journey is just as important as composition or living in the moment.
Thank you for sharing this! I completely respect your perspective, and I agree-finding the right focal length, a camera system that works for you, or a quality lens can be a big boost for both motivation and creative freedom. I’ve touched on this in previous videos too; having gear that feels right can really help you focus more on composition and storytelling. You’re spot-on about how gear shapes our journey as photographers. While I often highlight the importance of mindset and creative process, I know my own growth has definitely been influenced by experimenting with different cameras and lenses. Each piece of gear teaches us something unique. My experience with the Ricoh, for instance, taught me a lot-I love its focal length, the feel of its images, and how natural it feels to shoot street photography with it. But I do sometimes crave different looks that are easier to achieve with other gear. So, depending on the type of shot I envision, I’ll choose the lens or camera that best supports it. Thanks again for sharing your insights-I really appreciate this perspective!
Πολυ ωραιο βιντεο και ευχαριστες φωτογραφιες. Εχεις δικιο οτι οταν καποιος ξεπερασει το θεμα του εξοπλισμου ανοιγει ενα τελειως νεο κεφαλαιο στη φωτογραφια. Ολες οι φωτγραφικες μηχανες απο το 2015 και μετα ειναι αψογες και ολες οι εταιριες καλυπτουν ολα τα εστιακα μηκη κατα καποιο τροπο. Αυτο που διαφερει ειναι το μεγεθος σωματος και αισθητηρα και το συνολικο κρατημα της μηχανης με το φακο. Φωτογραφιζα χρονια αναλογικα με μια pentax mx και οταν γυρισα σε μια nikon f3hp το ποσοστο φωτογραφιων που μου αρεσαν ανεβηκε αλλα ο ογκος και το βαρος με εκαναν να μην την παιρνω μαζι μου συχνα. Τωρα πια το μονο που με ενδιαφερει ειναι η καμερα να εστιαζει οχι αργα και το σκοπευτρο να ειναι φωτεινο ωστε να μπορω να φωτογραφιζω με γυαλια. Επισης καλο ειναι κανεις να μενει με ενα εστιακο μηκος για καιρο ωστε να το μαθαινει. Πχ εγω δεν ταιριαζω καθολου με τα 40μμ αλλιως λογω ογκου φακων θα πηγαινα ξεκαθαρα εκει. Καθημερινη εξασκηση ειναι αυτο που βοηθαει την ολη εξελιξη και κανει καποιον να ξεχνα τις περισπασεις.
Σ’ ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα όμορφα λόγια! Συμφωνώ απόλυτα με όσα λες. Όταν ξεπερνάς το θέμα του εξοπλισμού και εστιάζεις στον τρόπο που φωτογραφίζεις, ανοίγει πραγματικά ένα νέο κεφάλαιο στην τέχνη σου. Οι σύγχρονες κάμερες είναι φανταστικές, και η αίσθηση που σου δίνουν κάνει τη διαφορά. Και εγώ έχω περάσει από διάφορες κάμερες, αλλά το πιο σημαντικό είναι να βρεις αυτή που ταιριάζει στο χέρι σου και στην εμπειρία σου. Συμφωνώ πολυ με το να μένει κανείς με ένα εστιακό μήκος για καιρό. Το έκανα και με τον 35αρι και με τον 50αρι και με τον 85αρι. Έμεινα περίπου έναν χρόνο στον καθένα. Μου αρέσει πολύ που αναφέρεις την καθημερινή εξάσκηση-αυτό είναι το κλειδί για να εξελιχθείς και να ξεχνάς τις περισπάσεις. Συχνά, άμα έχω καιρό να βγώ στον δρόμο για φωτογραφία είμαι μαγκωμένος. Στη φωτογραφία δρόμου πρέπει να είσαι χαλαρός. Οπότε θέλει συνεχή ενασχόληση. Ευχαριστώ που μοιράστηκες την εμπειρία σου!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lukas! I totally understand where you’re coming from. I do make a lot of videos about gear, mainly because many viewers are interested in how different cameras or lenses impact the way we shoot, especially for street photography. While I believe gear doesn’t define a photographer’s skill or vision, understanding it can still be valuable. For me, the gear is a tool that supports my creative process, not the focus itself. But I also know that finding the right tools can make a big difference in how comfortable or inspired we feel while shooting. I appreciate you holding me accountable on this-it’s always good to reflect! Thanks for watching!
This is amazing! Finally a video that focus on the importance of photography and don't try to please the camera manufacturer.
Although I do like gear photography is a lot more than that! I am glad you appreciated this!
???? You must be watching too many shills who only concentrate on photography. I love to bash those who move from system to system, thinking a name on a camera body will make them a 'better' photographer. Not even close. I love my Sony cameras as they are comfortable to use, not something that will give me trouble. It was like my Nikon F2 of old. It was a machine that I loved. It was comfortable, it was me and we did great stuff in the past. Ultimately, it is you capturing that image you see and putting it on your wall. I can go through all the different cameras I went through over the decades, having a blast all the way. Ultimately, I had to settle on a system and for years it was the Nikon F system.
@@bondgabebond4907 well said!!!
What a beautiful video. It's all anyone really needs to know. And so refreshing to see no "includes paid promotions"
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. Keeping it simple and genuine is important to me, so I’m glad that came through! Appreciate your support!
Απλά και κατανοητά..... Συμβουλές που θα γλυτώσουν ταλαιπωρία σε πολύ κόσμο...... Well done
Χαίρομαι που συμφωνέις με την προσέγγιση Παναγιώτη. Είμαι της απλότητας και νομίζω αυτό είναι και το πιο ουσιαστικό! Να είσαι καλά!
Wow!!! Just found your channel and watched this video of yours. Not only is your photography wonderful, but what you say about photography in general is incredibly helpful. Thanks!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m really glad you found the video helpful and that my photography resonated with you. I appreciate you checking out the channel and taking the time to leave a comment! It's great to have you on board!
This video was extremely encouraging to me. Being predictable and photos all blending together is an easy trap to fall into. Thank you for summing this up in such a short video yet very informative!
I’m so glad you found it encouraging! It’s definitely easy to get caught up in trends and lose that sense of individuality. Taking a step back to focus on what *we* want to capture makes such a difference. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
One of the better photo videos I have seen in a long time... tnx
I am very happy to read that!Thanks so much!🙏
Great video Aris !!!! Beautiful !!!!
Thank you so much!🙏🙏
Pfff, way ahead of you, I never even started taking nice photos.
hahaha! I found it funny!
Starting digital photography over 16 years ago, I started with a Canon point & shoot camera. I used the presets on the camera at first to see how the camera would choose the different settings for different subjects. After a while I realized that aperture would be my first setting in would set my camera, this was depending upon the subject and how much of the photo i wanted in focus, this led me to using aperture priority. So after aperture I would set ISO again depending upon the amount of lighting and how fast of a shutter speed is needed. I used exposure compensation to fine tune the way i wanted my photos to look, this allowed me to concentrate on the subject that I was photographing as I felt lighting, subject and composition were the most important part of photography. I know that many photographers use manual mode but it's not the best for everyone and every situation. People pay a lot of money for camera bodies and shooting in manual mode all the time disregards the technology that you paid so much money for.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey-it’s awesome to hear how you’ve developed such a thoughtful approach over the years! I love how you’ve used aperture priority to stay focused on what really matters: lighting, subject, and composition. It’s easy to get caught up in settings, but we definitely agree on this-sometimes letting the camera do some of the work frees us to just be in the moment with our subject. Your perspective is a great reminder to make the most of the tech we’re investing in for the right reasons. Really appreciate your insights!
I bought an old Leica M240, black paint, brassing with age.. Now I own one lens, a 35mm. Got rid of all my other camera gear. At last, at 67 I figured out what my niche is so I try to keep it simple. I limit my options to stay focused, and to figure out what the minimum is I need to succeed. The Leica is a simple camera, the lens is manual focus. A joy to hold and shoot. In the end the shooting experience is all that matters. The camera and the lens will then become an extention of you.
That sounds like an incredible setup! I would love to shoot with a Leica one day. Must be an amazing feeling! There’s something so special about stripping things down to the essentials and truly connecting with your gear. It’s amazing how much more personal and rewarding photography can become when we simplify. I’m sure those photos are more meaningful than ever. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Hi Aris, your advice very good, and your photos really inspired 🎉
Thanks so much! I’m really glad the advice helped and that my photos inspired you. Keep shooting and pushing your creativity! Appreciate the kind words! 🙌
Yes I agree. Fantastic video Ari. Great points very well made. Keep um coming
Thank you so much! I’m really glad the points resonated with you. More videos are definitely on the way! Appreciate the support!
Great vlog. Honesty is always the way and your approach is both honest and true.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Honesty is something I always aim for, especially in my approach to photography and these vlogs. It’s great to hear that it resonates with you!
thank you for this
I am very glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing video, always so inspirational. Thanks.
Awesome!I am very glad you liked it!👍🙏
Beautiful video. As a photographer who does this half for fun and half for money, I resonate with many of the "mistakes" you made. I place great value out of these "mistakes" and I can attribute them to making me a better photographer than I was years ago. Although an obsession with technicalities such as ones you have described hampered my creative process, learning the tools of the job ultimately makes the process flow easier. I encourage learning through examples of others as inspiration and discovering new techniques (even ones you will never use) is always a fun learning experience. Ultimately, I wholeheartedly agree that when it comes to bringing your soul into this art, translating emotions and experiences into a visual medium is the truest, most aesthetic, and most human thing a photographer can do. Perfection through imperfection is beauty, and learning "how", but more importantly "why" is a process which can take a lifetime to understand. Practice and thought through reflection is a slow and tedious process, but one which brings joy as you begin to unravel what photography means to you. I hope one day, I will be able to find my inner peace, and to be able to express who I was through my photography. For those beginning this journey, go wild. Experiment with everything and absorb techniques like dry soil in a rainy day. Practice only makes you advance and mistakes are always lessons in disguise.
Thank you for this beautiful comment! As I mention in the vide, I can relate deeply to what you said about both learning from mistakes and finding beauty in imperfection. There’s definitely a balance between knowing the technical aspects and not letting them dominate our creative flow. The more we know our tools, the more they become an extension of our intentions, almost like second nature.
I agree-it’s inspiring to learn from others and discover new techniques, even if some don’t end up in our everyday toolkit. Every experiment, every misstep has a place in shaping our perspective, and they all bring us closer to understanding our "why" in this art form. I love how you put it: translating emotions into a visual medium is perhaps the truest expression of photography, and it’s a journey that never really ends.
Wishing you all the best on your path to finding that inner peace through photography. Your passion really shines through, and I’m sure you’ll reach that place where your photos reflect who you are. Thanks again for sharing such thoughtful words-it’s always a pleasure to connect with others who resonate with this journey.
My first comment was halfway through the video, and now that I have finished you touched on the most important part of photography that is over looked, the person behind the camera. I to over the years have added many more cameras than I need, but the reason I have so many camera bodies is the same reason I don't use a smartphone for photos. I still have the very first DSLR i purchased, a Pentax K100D Super, over the years I added many newer bodies and when I started photographing events, I expanded my camera and lens collection. I was still working as a State Corrections officer when I started shooting events, it started slowly photographing the Memorial day event at work and later a few weddings for coworkers. after photographing my third wedding and other projects for the facility, I became known as the facility photographer and I got to photograph the retirement portrait of the next to last Superintendent, i also put together a photo book that was presented to him at his retirement party. When I retired after 41 years my photography work is the one thing that I felt good about. Two years before I retired and three years after I photographed any event that I could get. Weddings, Baptisms, family photos and portraits, birthdays and a motorcycle club photo shoot. Photographing events was not about making money, I worked with people of all different ages, the oldest couple were 7o years old when he got married. I was collecting my Social Security and pension so for the first time i was getting paid with out working. It was a strange feeling, so photographing events for people on a budget made the transition to retirement easy. It pushed me and for the first time i felt like I was doing something I enjoyed and being a part of a couples important day was something I never thought would happen. I used a wide variety of glass during this time, everything from a Pentax wide angle fish eye zoom lens to standard 24-70 F2.8 and many different prime lens from 20mm to 85mm, used both full frame and APSC camera bodies. I worked by myself and many events were photographed out doors so I used every angle, body position and vantage point to get more interesting photos. When children were involved in many of my events, being over 6ft tall many times i was the tallest person in the room, so many times i would shoot from a sitting or squatting position. I will finish by saying that event photography is the hardest thing in photography i have done.
In continuation to the previous comment then... let me thank you for sharing your journey with me! I really enjoyed reading it as it gave me your perspective on how you grew as a photographer. It is always very interesting to see how different people get into photography and how their photography evolves and how they evolve with it. From your story I gather that photography has been a true calling for you. I love how you stepped into event photography, not for the money, but to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments for people who needed it. I’ll try to keep that mentality as well.
There’s something so powerful about using photography to be a part of people’s lives and celebrations, even as you’re adapting to a whole new stage of life yourself. You’ve lived through so many lenses, literally and figuratively! Thanks for sharing this, truly-it’s a reminder of the connections and stories behind the camera that mean just as much as the photos themselves.
Very good video, Thanks a lot.
Thanks a lot for watching! Appreciate the support!
Presence is the most important tool in the visual arts. If you aren't there emotionally, intellectually, your photographs will illustrate that fact, no matter how dazzling or manufactured. Keepers are elusive but the more time you spend with your viewfinder the better the resolution.
Beautifully said. Photography really is as much about showing up fully-emotionally and intellectually-as it is about technical skill. The more we’re present, the more genuine our images become, even if they’re not “perfect.” Thank you for sharing this insight-it really resonates with what I was hoping to convey!
This was superb, thank you. I hear echoes of myself in everything you just said... ive been doing this for 20 years and im still making mistakes, but slowly arriving at the same conclusions you have. Instant subscribe and insta follow. Thank you Sir.
Thank you so much for the kind words! It’s amazing to connect with someone who’s been on this journey for 20 years and can relate to the process of learning and relearning. Mistakes really are such a big part of it, aren’t they? It sounds like we’re both arriving at a place where the “why” matters more than the “how.” I’m honored to have you along for the journey-thanks for the follow and the support!
Yes, it comes down to the photographer more than the equipment. I suppose we all fixate too much on kit, or fast lenses, or emulating someone else’s style. One photographer I follow sold all his gear and bought one fixed lens 28mm camera-to force himself to simplify and focus more on creative composition. As a result, his photography blossomed. Thanks for a helpful video.
Thank you! I completely agree-gear can easily distract from the creative process. Simplifying to one camera and a single focal length, like that 28mm setup you mentioned, really challenges us to focus on what we’re capturing. It’s incredible how those kinds of limitations can help us center on composition, lighting, and the story behind each shot.
Personally, I feel very at ease with the Ricoh-it simplifies everything and keeps me in the moment. But I do still enjoy using my larger gear, like the Fuji XT-5, when I want to capture a specific look or feel. I find that knowing my gear well helps me visualize shots before I even take them. So while it’s useful to understand what each camera can offer, it’s also key not to get too fixated on the gear itself. It’s all about finding that balance.
There’s definitely a lot of value in stripping things back, especially when the latest gear can be so tempting. Sometimes, less really is more. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts-I’m glad you found the video helpful!
Grate video!
Thanks, man!Glad you liked it!🙏
'real photography happens in the moment, not before it' is a great quote, particularly when applied to a fast changing environs (yet it's also true, as Ansel Adams put it, quoting Pasteur, that 'chance favours the prepared mind') Connection with the subject, in the form of empathy, is one way of realising the truth in your statement. When you feel something strongly, time dilates. And fortunately, empathy can encourage rather than hinder a visual response when it's combined with discipline (by which I mean situational awareness). Maybe it's just me, but I think a lot of people, when taking a photo, are more concerned with how an audience viewing the finished print is going to respond to it - and getting a dopamine rush -instead of relating to, and paying attention to, the subject at hand in order to do justice to it.
Beautifully put! I resonate so much with this idea that a “good shot” isn’t just a random occurrence. We take thousands of photos to train ourselves in using our equipment and composing effectively, building skills over time so that we’re prepared to capture those incredible, fleeting moments. A great photo might look “lucky,” but it’s usually the result of years of experience.
I also really agree with your thoughts on empathy-toward both the subject and the scene. Personally, I love shooting in fog. I almost feel my heart rate rise from excitement when I'm about to photograph in those conditions. It deepens my connection with the subject and lets me do it justice in the shot. I’ve found that my best photos happen when I’m truly present, completely immersed in the moment.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking about how others will react to our photos, and sometimes I catch myself doing that, too. But as you pointed out, this mindset can be counterproductive. Staying focused on the present moment and the scene in front of us always leads to more authentic work. Thanks so much for sharing such a thoughtful perspective John-I really enjoyed reading it!
Very helpful, Thank you! ❤
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you found it helpful! It means a lot to know the video resonated with you.
Συγχαρητήρια για το βίντεο Αριστείδη. Εξαιρετική και η εικόνα και ο ήχος. Σχετικά με το περιεχόμενο, θα συμφωνήσω σε όλα μαζί σου και προσπαθώ και εγώ από τη πλευρά μου να κάνω το ίδιο.
Ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα καλά σου λόγια Γιώργο! Χαίρομαι που σου άρεσε το επίπεδο της παραγωγής. Είμαι σε μια φάση που προσπαθώ να ανεβάσω την ποιότητα των βίντεο τόσο τεχνικά όσο και σαν περιεχόμενο και είναι ωραίο να βλέπω πως αυτό φαίνεται. Σε ευχαριστώ ξανά για την υποστήριξη!
I like your work
Thank you very much Peter!🙏
The gear is important. The smaller the gear, the better 😅. I wouldn't carry a big heavy camera and lens everyday.
I think everyone interested in photography must have an small camera with small lens on it.
Gear is important!Don't get me wrong!My point is that you shouldn't think about the gear all the time. Going out with 4 lenses, constantly swapping lenses, etc, is counterproductive. These days, I just decide on 1 camera and a good prime lens before going out, and I stick to it for my entire photo walk. And whether I am going on a photowalk or not, I always carry my Ricoh with me. I agree with you on that. A small camera with a small lens, or something like the Ricoh, should always be with you. What is your EDC?
@@AristeidisSfakianos Sony RX100 (the old original one) or Sony Nex 5T with the 20mm 2.8 pancake
Interesting choices!I am currently looking into smaller kit like that to present alternatives here in the channel, and this will be useful!Thanks!
@@AristeidisSfakianos my only problem with these cameras is the lack of viewfinder (and how easily the RX100 sucks dust into the sensor). I sold my other Sony gear (a6000 and lenses). I'm thinking on which system to get. Nikon seems great but the size is a con. Fuji could be near perfect, cameras like the XE4 or XT30 have viewfinder and are on the small side.
@amermeleitor I've heard many people worry over the lack of viewfinder in small cameras like that. Ricoh gives you the option to mount a viewfinder, but it is quite expensive. Fuji XT-30 is a good option with the viewfinder the way it is incorporated into the camera. The same applies for the xpor system. However, these cameras are a bit bulkier. What about the ever popular x-100v?
It never hurts to drink Guinness whilst debating things.
It might help in the decision-making process someone might say!😅
This theme has been done to death on UA-cam. "Stop taking good photos". "Why nice photos are bad". While it might not be click bait per se it sure has become a fad. And every one of these videos is the same. A lot of them, like this one, are well done videos and the photos are often fantastic. But the theme is silly.
A good photo is a good photo. A nice photo is a nice photo. And a bad photo is a bad photo. Settings, gear and composition have NEVER dictated what makes a photo artistically "good" or "nice".
Maybe it is good for a beginner to hear that following the "rules" isn't necessary. But for most anyone else this is not a revelation.
What will be nice is when this UA-cam theme quietly dies down and we get back to more meaningful content or at least content that lives up to title of the video.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts-I really get where you’re coming from. This topic is a popular one, and there is a lot of discussion around it. Taking the opportunity, I wanted to make this video to reflect on my own process, the phases I’ve gone through, and how moving past the rules helped me shape my own style. I know it’s not groundbreaking for everyone, but I hoped it might resonate with those at a similar point in their journey as me. Your feedback honestly motivates me to keep digging deeper and bring fresh ideas to the channel. Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to share this!
❤❤❤❤
I primarily do street photography.
I use to ask myself should I take this shot. I no longer do this. When in doubt I take the shot. During the time I’m deciding whether to push the shutter the subject frequently moves and the decisive moment has past. I use a digital camera so there is no financial cost for pressing the shutter and being wrong.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
That’s exactly the mindset I’m talking about Marty! We can’t always predict when the decisive moment will happen, and even if we sense it approaching, we won’t know for sure until it manifests. So, the best we can do is to shoot and hope for the best. Worst-case scenario, we just need more hard drives to store the less productive shots (I never delete photos, either). And really, there’s no harm in that!
just subscribed
Thanks a lot for subscribing John! I am very glad to have you on board!
I see many people like this one as aimless in the world of photography. Like someone painting an image, there has to be a purpose. When I listen to Aristeidis, I see something missing, yet he is almost there. The missing piece is photojournalism, a style and technique to get THE picture. That is what he is striving for yet doesn't realize it. Being trained in PJ style was a godsend for me. Using a camera and the lenses to get the picture was important. Knowing the hardware is very important as your composition skills. Most everyone I see on YT are shills for hardware. Most have so-so photography skills. When you fully understand the hardware and the artist in you, then great shots will emerge. For us old timers, we went through film like water. It disciplined us to not waste film, to compose, to think about what we wanted.
Maybe it would be great for young photographers to grab an old camera from the 70s, get a few lenses and fire off rolls of film. Learn, slow down, understand lighting. Using basic mechanical cameras taught me a lot. I easily translate that to today's digital cameras. But then I think back to those days, and with a mechanical camera, I set the aperture, shutter speed and focus. When I pressed the shutter button, it fired. It didn't think. And by using mechanical cameras, I learned timing, and timing got me some great pictures.
We live in a world where our digital cameras hold our hand. My Nikon F2, great camera, was no more potent than a simple Pentax Spotmatic F. We forgot how to really shoot photos.
I think you miss the point. We all have our own processes and aims. I would never question yours so why should you question others? We can share experiences and tips without trying to invalidate others perspectives and styles.
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights! It’s true-there’s so much value in learning the fundamentals with film cameras. That hands-on control over aperture, shutter speed, and focus can teach patience, discipline, and intention in each shot. I definitely see the merit in photojournalism, and I have a lot of respect for photojournalists too. I see how this particular type of photography can help me in capturing "THE" moment that conveys a story. It is something I would like to get into. Not sure which route yet, but eventually I will get there.
For me, the process of letting go of “nice” or “perfect” images is part of finding my authentic voice. While I strive for storytelling in my photography, I’m discovering that sometimes the most compelling moments in street photography aren’t necessarily polished, but raw and unfiltered. Digital cameras do give us an ease and speed that can lead to complacency, and I try to counter that by slowing down, even in a digital environment.
Thanks again for the encouragement to explore and to understand my tools more deeply. It's always a journey, and I’m grateful for the advice and perspectives from experienced photographers like yourself!
I have a totally different experience, my photography got better when I found my focal length, when I bought a full frame camera and a very good lens. That's when I felt the drive to shoot more and that's when I felt that I can finally focus on composition. I understand why you make these videos, why every influencer makes them. You all seem to disregard the fact that your experience with different cameras and glass made you the photographer you are right now. So I completely disagree, that journey is just as important as composition or living in the moment.
Thank you for sharing this! I completely respect your perspective, and I agree-finding the right focal length, a camera system that works for you, or a quality lens can be a big boost for both motivation and creative freedom. I’ve touched on this in previous videos too; having gear that feels right can really help you focus more on composition and storytelling.
You’re spot-on about how gear shapes our journey as photographers. While I often highlight the importance of mindset and creative process, I know my own growth has definitely been influenced by experimenting with different cameras and lenses. Each piece of gear teaches us something unique. My experience with the Ricoh, for instance, taught me a lot-I love its focal length, the feel of its images, and how natural it feels to shoot street photography with it. But I do sometimes crave different looks that are easier to achieve with other gear. So, depending on the type of shot I envision, I’ll choose the lens or camera that best supports it. Thanks again for sharing your insights-I really appreciate this perspective!
Πολυ ωραιο βιντεο και ευχαριστες φωτογραφιες. Εχεις δικιο οτι οταν καποιος ξεπερασει το θεμα του εξοπλισμου ανοιγει ενα τελειως νεο κεφαλαιο στη φωτογραφια. Ολες οι φωτγραφικες μηχανες απο το 2015 και μετα ειναι αψογες και ολες οι εταιριες καλυπτουν ολα τα εστιακα μηκη κατα καποιο τροπο. Αυτο που διαφερει ειναι το μεγεθος σωματος και αισθητηρα και το συνολικο κρατημα της μηχανης με το φακο. Φωτογραφιζα χρονια αναλογικα με μια pentax mx και οταν γυρισα σε μια nikon f3hp το ποσοστο φωτογραφιων που μου αρεσαν ανεβηκε αλλα ο ογκος και το βαρος με εκαναν να μην την παιρνω μαζι μου συχνα. Τωρα πια το μονο που με ενδιαφερει ειναι η καμερα να εστιαζει οχι αργα και το σκοπευτρο να ειναι φωτεινο ωστε να μπορω να φωτογραφιζω με γυαλια. Επισης καλο ειναι κανεις να μενει με ενα εστιακο μηκος για καιρο ωστε να το μαθαινει. Πχ εγω δεν ταιριαζω καθολου με τα 40μμ αλλιως λογω ογκου φακων θα πηγαινα ξεκαθαρα εκει. Καθημερινη εξασκηση ειναι αυτο που βοηθαει την ολη εξελιξη και κανει καποιον να ξεχνα τις περισπασεις.
Σ’ ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα όμορφα λόγια! Συμφωνώ απόλυτα με όσα λες. Όταν ξεπερνάς το θέμα του εξοπλισμού και εστιάζεις στον τρόπο που φωτογραφίζεις, ανοίγει πραγματικά ένα νέο κεφάλαιο στην τέχνη σου. Οι σύγχρονες κάμερες είναι φανταστικές, και η αίσθηση που σου δίνουν κάνει τη διαφορά. Και εγώ έχω περάσει από διάφορες κάμερες, αλλά το πιο σημαντικό είναι να βρεις αυτή που ταιριάζει στο χέρι σου και στην εμπειρία σου. Συμφωνώ πολυ με το να μένει κανείς με ένα εστιακό μήκος για καιρό. Το έκανα και με τον 35αρι και με τον 50αρι και με τον 85αρι. Έμεινα περίπου έναν χρόνο στον καθένα. Μου αρέσει πολύ που αναφέρεις την καθημερινή εξάσκηση-αυτό είναι το κλειδί για να εξελιχθείς και να ξεχνάς τις περισπάσεις. Συχνά, άμα έχω καιρό να βγώ στον δρόμο για φωτογραφία είμαι μαγκωμένος. Στη φωτογραφία δρόμου πρέπει να είσαι χαλαρός. Οπότε θέλει συνεχή ενασχόληση. Ευχαριστώ που μοιράστηκες την εμπειρία σου!
"Gear doesn't matter" but almost every your videos is about gear. What a hipocrisy once again.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Lukas! I totally understand where you’re coming from. I do make a lot of videos about gear, mainly because many viewers are interested in how different cameras or lenses impact the way we shoot, especially for street photography. While I believe gear doesn’t define a photographer’s skill or vision, understanding it can still be valuable.
For me, the gear is a tool that supports my creative process, not the focus itself. But I also know that finding the right tools can make a big difference in how comfortable or inspired we feel while shooting. I appreciate you holding me accountable on this-it’s always good to reflect! Thanks for watching!