Kinda makes a nice header, eh?
I'd like to share with you guys something I've been thinking about for quite a while now.
And by quite a while I mean countless sleepless nights and somber waking hours this past week.
But before I get into it, I just want to say that I feel utterly blessed and endlessly grateful for all that God has given me, and for all the opportunities that I have obtained from perseverance and prayer.
Without His grace and the support from you guys out there, I wouldn't be where I am right now - which is less than 1,000 hits away from 100,000 hits!
AWW YISSS!
Shot using a Nikon D7100 + NIKKOR 18-105mm f3.5-5.6G VR + SB700
So here's the thing.
For three weeks now, I have had in possession a few cameras to review, namely the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, and the Fujifilm X-T1 & Fujifilm X-T10.
Thanks to Olympus Malaysia
Shot using an iPhone 5s
Thanks to Fujifilm Malaysia
Shot using an iPhone 5s
Of course, at first I was overjoyed with the exciting prospect of shooting more things, executing sophisticated photo shoots and editorials, photograph concerts, possibly get hired to cover events and maybe start a YouTube channel (which I did here) - solely because I had new stuff to shoot with.
However, it didn't occur to me until a few days ago that I really didn't have anything to shoot for an amazing, wonderful, OUT-OF-BOUNDS real-world review.
Despite me being proud of my past work, I have always wanted to produce even better content.
I don't know if it's the pressure of having to produce a well-written (or well-produced) reviewthat's rendering me more and more hopeless in my attempt to deliver in-depth content as I've promised you guys.
A lot is expected of me and I take that as a compliment; as motivation to push myself to do more.
But I've fallen victim to self-doubt and over-thinking, which has hindered any sort of progress.
When in doubt, self reflect
Shot using a Canon EOS 5D Mark III + EF 50mm f1.8
Even so, after doing some self-reflection (for the umpteenth time), I think I figured out what I really enjoy doing the most in my photography, and it's taking photos of people.
Timeless quirky expressions
Shot using an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II + M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8
Photographing people in their element, whether it's singers performing or fleeting moments of family time, I feel the most at place when I am taking photos of people.
Attack on titan?
Shot using an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II + M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8
And what's more, it's never been about what camera I have or what lens I use or what brand I'm shooting with; it's always been me who's creating the photographs.
It didn't matter if I had the latest gear or tech from five years ago, what mattered was being at the right place at the right time.
Shot using a Nikon D7100 + NIKKOR 35mm f1.8G DX
Shot using a Nikon D90 + NIKKOR 35mm f1.8G DX
Shot using a Nikon D7100 + NIKKOR 18-105mm f3.5-5.6G VR
I know a lot of people, me included, who always talk about getting new gear, acquiring lenses, switching systems, considering mirrorless, or complain about their kit lens and so much more.
Some would go on to buy and sell their gear over and over on end.
Sure, to some extent, you do need to upgrade certain areas of your arsenal but constantly worrying about the gear you don't have is all just utter nonsense.
And most of the people aforementioned already have the necessary gear they need to create beautiful, long-lasting images.
So now that I realize that I am capable of creating content no matter what medium I use, I've found renowned motivation to keep doing what I do.
I still have a few more weeks (hopefully) to finish up my review before returning these cameras.
I've enjoyed using them for my daily stuff and random snapshots, but I still want to do something of more significance.
It might be a huge loss if I'm not able to shoot concerts with the Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 PRO lens (which I did try asking for permission to shoot Echosmith but failed), or the milky way with the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4R, but I guess it's just the nature of the beast.
You win some, you lose some.
So, it comes down to the point of this entry, as to why less is more in photography.
- The less you worry about the things you don't have, the more you'll actually appreciate the things you do have.
- The less pressure you put on yourself, the more space you give yourself to just create.
- The less time you spend on thinking and the more time you spend on doing, you'll find yourself less dissatisfied and more fulfilled.
All in all, it really is ironic.
I dreamed of so many things I wanted to do with the things I didn't have, but when I finally have them, I have nothing to do.
At least Fariq is putting them to good use
Shot using an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II + M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8
Well, I guess it's really a matter of doing it, instead of just wanting to do it.
"JUST DO IT!" - Shia LaBeouf // Nike
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