Minimalistics
Why Minimalistics?…
For some time I have been somewhat bemused by the subtle message that the main prerequisite to producing good photography is oodles of equipment. It’s a viewpoint that appears to have taken hold in photo clubs, on internet forums and especially in photographic magazines – but that’s understandable because a major slice of their revenue comes from advertising equipment.
It’s undoubtedly true that you need reasonable equipment to achieve a good technical standard, and it’s also true that for specialised genres, like wildlife or sports photography etc, additional lenses and bodies are useful. But the reality is that the camera is a tool and the basis of good photography is dictated by what’s in front of the camera and what’s behind. It’s my opinion that in itself, even the best equipment won’t improve a photographer’s creative skills.
Keeping gear to a minimum has advantages; using the same camera and lens gives a familiarity that comes from knowing equipment intimately. If it’s not an issue to figure out which lens, body, or filters to use, exposure settings become more instinctive leaving the mind clear to concentrate on creating images.
…and you don’t need a mule to carry all the gear.
…and of course, your bank balance stays a lot healthier.
About Minimalistics…
It will feature seascapes, landscapes, gardens and metropolitan life in Ireland and France, along with some miscellaneous images – best described as “out of the box” . But whatever the subject, landscapes or communities, the single constant throughout all of the images is that they have all been shot using the same relatively simple equipment – originally a Canon 5D Mark1, but now updated to a Mark II body and the same lens – a Canon 24-105/4L IS. Nothing else…
It’s been fun putting the blog together and even more enjoyable shooting the images. I hope you enjoy Minimalisitics and that I can look forward to reading any comments that you have to offer.
George Munday
13 comments in “why”
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I use the 5D mark 2 – but the lens is the 24-105 like yours. I am only just beginning to realise the advantage of your approach for it emphasises Photography as it should be – remember the Leica and a 50mm lens? I do, and wish I could go back – forward is a very costly affair!
October 24th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Great stuff, George, and I couldn’t agree with you more about “gear”. I do a lot of teaching, and I always tell my students that a great photo often has more to do with the person creating it than with the gear that they are using. Yes, it helps to have nice kit, but what good is thousands of dollars / euros worth of gear if you don’t know how to get the most out of it? Most times, I’m just carrying a Nikon D700 and two lenses (to cover 24mm to 200mm). It helps to buy a small camera bag, which will force you to “minimize”. Keep up the great work!
- Dave
New Jersey, USA
October 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Thanks Dave, I was delighted to read your encouraging comments about gear. I would guess it’s partly because we both run and teach workshops, and meet a variety of photographers with wildly different abilities that we have drawn our conclusions. One of my lasting memories from eons ago, is attending a film show in which David Bailey promoted Olympus cameras. The impressive series of photographs he shot on a very basic $35.00 analogue, point-and-shoot “Olympus Trip” camera made a lasting impact.
George
County Waterford, Ireland
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Hi George,
Sean Reidy(Limerick)-a Flickr contact of mine, told me that he recently stayed with you overnight and that jogged my memory(which is not great anymore). I bumped into you in a back street in Dungarvan about a year ago and talked photography–what else. I have really been impressed by your images here and also by your use of simple equipment. Your work is excellent and inspiring.
Sean
Kildare.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hi Sean
I remember chatting with you outside the art centre on a cold bright December morning. It’s very good of you to write; I’m delighted that you like the blog and thank you for your very kind comments, they are greatly appreciated.
George
November 16th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
lovely thoughts lovely photo
November 20th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
[...] add new, different and good images every day. And the reason for Minimalistics? It’s all on the Why [...]
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I’m a photography student researching the Photographer Nat Finkelstein and for some reason I stumbled across your blog. Really lovely photos here! If you get to London much you should check out the Nat Finkelstein retrospective at Idea Generation Gallery in January. Not really like your stuff but you might be interested! http://www.ideageneration.co.uk/generationgallery.php
December 4th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed looking through your photographs, particularly those with dramatic atmosphere. They certainly illustrate the fact that photography is more a matter of place, time and vision as it is about gear.
Michael
Brussels, Belgium
December 11th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Hi,
It’s so good to hear this. Very nice put. Beautiful photographs. I am very new in photography. Around 1 year. Trying to do as much as I can with my 3d freelancing work. I have a Canon 590 IS powershot.
Very inspiring work !!
January 6th, 2010 at 2:04 am
I agree with your philosophy wholeheartedly. I’ve recently become a bit of a minimalist, even with regards to my camera gear, after accumulating too much of it. I realized I wasn’t really using all of it and so I sold off my second body and a 70-200 2.8 IS (everyone’s favorite lens, but I just didn’t use it much), and pretty much use a 40D and my 35mm exclusively now. I love it – it lets me focus on photography so much more. I’ll definitely be following along with your posts.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:12 am
Hi George – absolutely love your Minimalistics! You may recall the weekend you very tolerantly “humoured” the three ladies from Co. Meath – our photographic expertise rendered you speechless so you can’t possibly have forgot! Stunning French pics – most of the locations are very familiar to me and indeed some of the shots are almost identical to my own, mine not being QUITE as good of course!! Looking forward to viewing more of your wonderful works.
July 16th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Hi, First i wish to thank u for sharing such fantastic photographic arts. I feel gadgets are important but more important is the brain that will be driving the gadget. And a little bit of knowledge and philosophy is also needed about photography. After all, the eyes cannot see what the mind does not know.
Regards,
Dibyendu Dutta
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