Photography has always been a mirror of its time, but the digital age has transformed it from a tool of documentation into a weapon of self-delusion. The camera, once used to capture reality, now serves primarily to manufacture it. What we photograph, how we photograph it, and why we photograph it reveals a society that has lost touch with authentic experience, commodified human connection, and replaced genuine accomplishment with the performance of success.
A big step is to realize that you’re just falling for marketing. Tech media, including music and photography tech, is one big advertisement and the industry serves itself, not you. This usually doesn’t dawn until you’ve bought some of the things the journalists get breathless about and discovered that the gear is OK but not earth shattering, and you still have the same creative challenges as before.
Oh absolutely! Shoot (or play, or draw, or whatever) on what you have. Get it to that 80% range of the professional output you see/hear. Then start looking at targeted upgrades.
But younger folks with wide eyes (including myself when I was that age) are sure that one more sensor or one more tube will get them where they need to go.
Spend enough to get something credible so you’re not fighting the gear and learn it end to end. Spend the money you would have spent on gear on experiences instead. Or put it in an account for better gear once you learn what each piece does.
Honestly I always hated that advice when I was young. But it would have saved me enough to buy some really really nice stuff when I was actually ready for it. Or put a down payment on a house.