{"id":61831,"date":"2017-08-06T00:07:04","date_gmt":"2017-08-06T07:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=61831"},"modified":"2017-08-06T00:28:57","modified_gmt":"2017-08-06T07:28:57","slug":"why-it-is-cooler-shooting-with-a-shittier-camera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/06\/why-it-is-cooler-shooting-with-a-shittier-camera\/","title":{"rendered":"Why It is Cooler Shooting With a Shittier Camera"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"RICOH
RICOH GR II x ERIC KIM NECK STRAP by HAPTIC<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Person A: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nice photo! What did you shoot it on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nPerson B: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I shot it on a very expensive camera.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nPerson A: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh yeah! I can totally see the color rendition, sharpness, corner sharpness, and the bokeh!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\nPerson B: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Haha just kidding. I shot it on my phone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I had a mini epiphany:<\/p>\n

\n It is cooler to make good photos on a shitty or older or cheaper camera.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why? It is a way to peacock and show off… \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can make good photos on a crappy camera.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

For example, I have MORE pride and feel MORE COOL that even though I make a lot of money, I CHOOSE to life a more minimalist lifestyle. I have pride in wearing the same (expensive) outfit everyday. I have pride that I am writing these words on an old iPad Air, that I shoot with a $600 digital RICOH GR II camera, that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a phone, that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a car, that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have an Instagram, that I prefer to share meals with Cindy, and that I live BELOW my means.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say that I made a very good photo on a $10,000 camera. People would say that it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not very impressive, because I used an expensive camera. But if I make a good photo on a cheap camera, folks are MORE impressed.<\/p>\n

Another example, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m more impressed with the billionaire who drives an old Toyota Camry, than the multi millionaire who drives a Ferrari.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

Other examples,<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m more impressed with the rich person who thrifts for clothes, than the rich person who buys expensive purses, bags, or designer clothes.<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m more impressed with the photographer who shoots with a cheaper, more basic camera, or even her phone…compared with the rich photographer with all the new fancy camera stuff.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n

Funny thing,<\/p>\n

\n People will always be more impressed with photos shot on film, when compared to digital photos.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

Film is more exotic. More pure. More old school. More mysterious and confusing.<\/p>\n

My tip,<\/p>\n

\n In today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s world if you want to stand out, shoot film, NOT with your phone or a high-end digital camera.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Several benefits of film<\/a>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Film cameras are cheap. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t start with film Leica. Shoot with an old, preferably free film camera. All film cameras are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153full frame.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n
  2. Start with cheap film and buy FILM NOTES<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  3. Film will always look aesthetically nicer than digital photos. Why? The randomness of light hitting the film, results nicer aesthetics. Digital photos and processing and presets always try to EMULATE the look of film. Why not bypass the hassle… and just shoot film from the get go?<\/li>\n
  4. Film is timeless: I still look at my film photos and they have held up well. Digital, not so much. The digital photos…the aesthetic keeps changing based on different digital sensors, and the presets I make. <\/li>\n
  5. Kodak Portra 400 for color and Kodak Trix 400 for monochrome are timeless. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Practical insights<\/h2>\n

    Ok, this essay is all over the place. Let me simplify:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy expensive cameras to show off. Better to show off by making good photos on a crappier camera. <\/li>\n
    2. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel pressured to always upgrade your camera. Digital cameras get outdated like phones… every 6 months or 1 year. <\/li>\n
    3. To get off the crazy digital camera, upgrade treadmill try shooting film. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Ultimately it don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter what you shoot with.<\/p>\n

      Timeless human biases<\/h2>\n

      Other ideas:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Unfortunately, human beings will generally care about how<\/em> you made a photo, and what equipment you use. This will never change. <\/li>\n
      2. If you can impress people with photos you shoot on a phone, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re cool. But you will have a hard time charging a lot of money shooting commercial photos on a phone. Unfortunately the mental shortcut: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bigger camera, means the photographer is more professional, and therefore is worth more money, and will make better photos.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Therefore for professional work, big professional cameras will always exist. Humans do believe \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bigger is better\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (think of people wanting to buy an iPhone plus, SUV cars, or big homes). <\/li>\n
      3. We will never be satisfied with the camera, equipment, or gadgets we buy… no matter how new or innovative. Solution: Revel and be proud that you use older, shittier, outdated equipment…and make the best use of it.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        BE STRONG,
        \nERIC<\/p>\n

        \n

        HOW TO CONQUER GAS<\/a><\/h1>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        GAS: (Gear Acquisition Syndrome): wanting to buy new cameras, because you feel like your photos aren’t good enough, because your camera isn’t good enough:<\/p>\n