monochrome_joy
Analog Enlightenment
I've followed photography forums of one kind or another for several years. Starting with my first DSLR, the Pentax ist DS. My background is that of a computer programmer/tech with work ranging from fixing computer to writing complex software.
For a long time I have followed the technical aspects of photography in great detail. I understand how sensors work, how to process film, what factors make a good lens, and many other details that go into the hardware and process of photography. My brother has also followed suit and we could talk at great lengths about why a P&S will never make a better photo (technical quality only) than a DSLR. Following this reasoning, and a few camera purchases later, I found myself with a Canon 1D with a few "L" lenses. No doubt, the picture quality was superb and the camera handled flawlessly in the rain or otherwise. For me, photography was more about the equipment, and more so, I feel, for my brother. I believe this was a natural evolution of the engineer mindset.
Then, a seed of change was planted. It started with a model shoot. Some fellow photographers pooled money together and rented space and time with a few models. My photographs were good, and my equipment was bested by only a few others. What I saw though, was that other photog's using lesser equipment were making equally great photos. This was the seed that started the change. Several months later, I found myself with an opportunity to travel to the Philippines and shoot for an NGO. I felt my gear would be too much (weight, size, etc.) and so "downgraded" to a 30D and took one lens, a 17-55 zoom. The photos I brought home were excellent (IMHO) and provided much fertilizer for my seed.
That seed of thought seemed to be growing into a mindset of simplicity. On my path to simplicity, I sold some camera equipment and bought my first Leica M3. Naturally, being of an engineering mindset, I quickly researched all the information I could find on Leica M3's and lenses, and accessories ad nauseam. Of all the information I could find, none of it really satisfied me. I now realize that my quest for simplicity is really a quest to understand the art and I need to leave the engineer alone for a while.
I realize this is a fairly long post so I'll wrap it up. I've read many forums and articles on photography and I see more information to feed engineers than I do to feed artists.
For a long time I have followed the technical aspects of photography in great detail. I understand how sensors work, how to process film, what factors make a good lens, and many other details that go into the hardware and process of photography. My brother has also followed suit and we could talk at great lengths about why a P&S will never make a better photo (technical quality only) than a DSLR. Following this reasoning, and a few camera purchases later, I found myself with a Canon 1D with a few "L" lenses. No doubt, the picture quality was superb and the camera handled flawlessly in the rain or otherwise. For me, photography was more about the equipment, and more so, I feel, for my brother. I believe this was a natural evolution of the engineer mindset.
Then, a seed of change was planted. It started with a model shoot. Some fellow photographers pooled money together and rented space and time with a few models. My photographs were good, and my equipment was bested by only a few others. What I saw though, was that other photog's using lesser equipment were making equally great photos. This was the seed that started the change. Several months later, I found myself with an opportunity to travel to the Philippines and shoot for an NGO. I felt my gear would be too much (weight, size, etc.) and so "downgraded" to a 30D and took one lens, a 17-55 zoom. The photos I brought home were excellent (IMHO) and provided much fertilizer for my seed.
That seed of thought seemed to be growing into a mindset of simplicity. On my path to simplicity, I sold some camera equipment and bought my first Leica M3. Naturally, being of an engineering mindset, I quickly researched all the information I could find on Leica M3's and lenses, and accessories ad nauseam. Of all the information I could find, none of it really satisfied me. I now realize that my quest for simplicity is really a quest to understand the art and I need to leave the engineer alone for a while.
I realize this is a fairly long post so I'll wrap it up. I've read many forums and articles on photography and I see more information to feed engineers than I do to feed artists.
