When I was brought to Photography, decades ago, then I haven't imagined that would probably be my biggest investment.
Don't get me wrong. By "investment", I don't mean money only.
So, here is a list, that I'm going to try to make full, with all the investment sides.
Photographic equipment
Learning
Photographic travels
Time
Let's break it down.
Photographic equipment
Do you know that joke of a photographer, invited to a dinner where they shared the photographers and the host said "Beautiful photos! You must have a great camera!" After finishing the dinner, the photographer thanked by saying "Everything was very delicious, you must have a great oven!".
That is true, it is much more important who is behind the camera. Probably, less and less though, as AI is taking care about that too, more and more.
Nevertheless, the equipment matters. Yes, the size matters too in that regards! :)
I see many people are proud with the equipment they use so why not, I should probably also be proud with that and put it in my posts too.
So here is a table, not a full one, though, with some of my most used equipment. With regards to digital equipment, I always buy new, second-hand cameras are a no-go for me, and second-hand lenses for them could be a risky endeavor as well.
Some of my equipment I use:
| Cameras | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
|---|---|
| Canon EOS M5 | |
| Canon EOS 550D | |
| Lenses | Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
| Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM | |
| Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM | |
| Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM | |
| Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM | |
| Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 | |
| 7artisans 35mm f/1.2 | |
| Strobes | Dynaphos Speedster |
| Flashes | Metz |
| Tripods and Mono-pods | Manfrotto |
| Benro |
As you could see, I mostly trust on Canon. Their equipment has never failed me so far. Of course, I have tested, rented and borrowed other cameras, lenses and accessories.
That list is far from complete but I don't want this to be too boring, LOL. Any questions, please let me know!
It would hurt to calculate how much I spent on these but hey - that's a line of business I've taken years ago. Some of the equipment paid back times, some other - has not, so far. It is like any other investment. Risk exists everywhere :)))
Learning
It is not only the time spent online learning new stuff or getting inspired by other photographers and pictures. I have paid to attend to many courses, seminars, exams, workshops and laboratories.
I also have a decent library of photography-related books.
I wouldn't be surprised if I sum up all the time I spent learning and the result is months, probably an year or so.
Photographic travels
Now those are the travels designed and planned with Photography in my mind. Well, sometimes I go to popular and famous places but generally I try to avoid the overcrowded destinations. What's the point of creating a photo that other thousands of people have too, right? Of course, unless it is for personal memories only.
Some of the locations I've been to are quite expensive. Well, truth to be told, as a person who lives and works in Eastern Europe, all of the travel destinations I go to, are expensive, at least from my perspective.
I'm gonna give you three examples only. Switzerland, Iceland and Norway on top of my list, where a pint of draft beer was about the amount of a usual weekly grocery shopping back home :) I didn't mind having that one, at all, 'cause chasing the Aurora Borealis was a success and it had to be celebrated. Only once though.
Time
What I mean here is the time I spent volunteering, teaching, mentoring, curating and coaching other people, sharing my works too. I have done that a lot, I still do occasionally, when asked. You know, nobody likes unwanted advices, lol... Also, life's getting harder for the most of us, lately, inflation, pandemic, wars, so unfortunately, less volunteering lately.
Now, no more words, here are a few pictures from one of the most beautiful European destinations I have ever visited - magical Iceland.
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Have a great day!
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