I’ve been thinking a lot about the perfect camera— I think it the perfect camera is the one that embeds itself into you.

The best camera is the one where you are “one with your camera” — when the photographer merges with the camera.

I got this idea from Japanese horse-archery. There is this concept where the rider and the horse become one. The perfect fusion.

How can you perfectly fuse yourself in your photography with the camera? What is the simplest camera you can use, with the fewest obstructions, fewer superfluous controls, where you can just become “one” with your camera?

Your best camera is your smartphone

Honestly for most people, this is probably their smartphone. It is always with you, in your front pocket, and it is easy to photograph with (just pressing one button). You don’t need to fiddle with technical settings, or manual focus. You just point and click.

I have found the best “zen” moments when shooting photography when I merge into the streets. When I don’t think of myself, or when I don’t think of my camera.

That means when you’re shooting on the streets, you lose a sense of “self.” You merge with your camera, and you merge with your environment. You just respond to your environment— and photograph based on your gut. You follow your intuition, and don’t “force” yourself to photograph. You just photograph whatever interests you, and you become detached with the results.

How to become one with your camera

Enough of this fluffy philosophy — here are some practical tips I would give in terms of “becoming one” with your camera:

1. “Set it and forget it”:

Setup your camera to the simplest possible technical settings, so you don’t need to fiddle around with your technical settings when you’re shooting.

The less you need to worry about your technical settings, the more you can be focused on your shooting.

2. One camera, one lens:

I prefer non-interchangeable lens cameras. Why? You have fewer decisions when you go out and shoot. You have a “creative constraint” of just one camera, and one lens. And given that constraint, you are forced to be creative and innovate based on your limited gear.

When you go out and shoot, try to limit yourself to just one camera and one lens. Then you can focus on the shooting, and get into the “zone.”

3. Walk, slowly:

When I’m usually shooting on the streets, I walk too quickly. When I walk quickly, I don’t notice the things on the street as well. When I focus on walking slower— I become more “one with my camera” and “one with the streets.” I can better feel the sensation of the concrete under my shoes. I can better notice the small details on the streets. I don’t feel as rushed and hurried, which helps me focus more on the shooting process.

Try to walk consciously slower than you normally do when you’re out shooting.

Conclusion

The goal of photography shouldn’t be to have the “best” camera. The goal of photography is to have the least obtrusive camera. The camera that becomes invisible— both to the subject, and to you.

Are you “one with your camera” and how are you exploring the world (and yourself) with photography?

Shoot slowly, and enjoy every step of the way.

Always,
Eric

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