We are on to Day 5 of Cassia Denner’s 10 Day Photography Challenge, with today’s theme being “Something I bought”. I have to admit I had no time to be overly creative today, with the job that pays the bills kept my away from my camera all day. But I decided to enter this quick iPhone shot of one of my photo book shelfs, together with a little message that is important to me.
No new camera will make you a better photographer. It might increase your motivation to go out shoot more for a little while, bring out a temporary boost in creativity, but eventually the thrill of the new gear will wear off. It always does.
Studying the work of the masters will make you a better photographer. Also studying the theoretical and technical aspects of photography. There is so much to learn and understand about photography. I’ve bought many pieces of gear that I rarely use, but I have never regretted investing in photography books. It just is an enriching experience to sit with a photography book and a good cup of coffee, study and reflect on it.
Thinking about this Day 5 task also inspires me to compile a list of my photography books I own and treasure. I just need a bit time to do it. So look for it on the Streets of Nuremberg and in my free Learning Center, where you find all my tips and inspirations around photography.
Have a great week!
Marcus
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Your thought struck me, Marcus. “No new camera will make you a better photographer.” Words of wisdom. 🙂
Thanks, Olga, I’m just passing on my own experiences 🙂 !
Books were the trigger in my discovery of street photography and I completely share your view, Marcus. I am looking forward to the announced list of the books you treasure! Best wishes, Andreas
Thanks for agreeing, Andreas. Compiling the list will be a piece of work, as I have too many photography books 😉 but it will come! Marcus
My greatest value of something I bought (buying each month) is my subscriptions to Sue Bryce Education and Gina Milicia’s Gold Community. And the one thing that I essentially haven’t bought but hold dear to me is time. Time to learn and to grow and time to better myself as a person and a photographer. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I always look forward to seeing your posts in my email, even though I don’t always commrnt.
Thank you for your very kind words, they mean a lot to me! Marcus
You’re welcome! Smiles!
There is so much to learn , thank you for sharing this info.
Thanks you for your feedback, it means so much! Marcus
So which photographer’s work do you enjoy?
I adore Elliott Erwitt and really like Daido Moriyama, Josef Koudelka, Sebastiao Salgado, Steve McCurry. Those are the ones I have books on, and I do have signed prints from Erwitt and McCurry 🙂
Erwitt has some fun images, as well as the more serious ones…a great eye. I agree with the other choices, other than Moriyama and Koudelka…going to look them up
Moriyama and Koudelka represent more the dark, high contrast and sometimes moody street photography. Marcus
Sounds right up my street!!😀
Impressive collection of photography books! I believe knowledge, among other things, inspires creativity.
It is only a small part of my books on photography, my wife complains I have way too many….Thanks, C.S., and your words are oh so true 🙂 ! Marcus
I still have so much to learn with photography, but I do love reading a book on it! 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Amy, there are so many great books out there who really open up the photography world for the reader! Marcus