Want to get better at photography? Then give up on the photos you want to take.

Are you taking photos?

Everyday scenery, walking photos, snapshots in the city, taking pictures of children... the photos you take might change depending on your environment or the land you live in.

But I think there are two common worries that people who buy cameras have.

One is wanting to get better at photography.
And the other is the lens problem.

You might think this doesn't really apply to those using compact digital cameras with fixed lenses... but today's story is something I want those very compact camera users to hear.

In the photography industry where I work, there is a term called the "lens swamp," which includes amateurs.

Lenses are like a bottomless swamp, aren't they?

Each company is competing fiercely in development, so the world is overflowing with wonderful lenses. If you include old lenses, how many lenses are there that are called "masterpieces"...?

But don't you wonder if your photography will actually get better if you collect lenses? Plus, you think, "I can't collect that many lenses! They're expensive!" right?

Today, I want to deliver this to you who want to get better at taking photos.

This is not a note about solving things with lenses.

Please take a look.

The problem of not being able to take the photos you want

Well, there are various lenses in this world, so much so that it's called a lens swamp. And by choosing lenses appropriately, you can take photos with various variations and expressions. I even feel like a soul dwells in a photo when you choose with a clear intention.

However...!

・Which one should I choose?
・There are so many that I don't know!
・I bought a prime lens for now, but is it the right one?
・It's heavy and I hate carrying them all around!

I can hear voices like these too.

I personally hate carrying heavy lenses, so I basically only put about two in my bag.

And that's when the problem arises.

It is the problem of not being able to take the photos you want to take.

For example, you want to shoot with a wide angle, but you only have a 50mm lens. You want to shoot something far away, but you only have a 28mm lens.

When you only carry around a prime lens, you encounter situations like this quite often. You know what I mean, right? Haha.

Zoom lenses like 24-105mm or 28-300mm are convenient at times like that, but...

Does using convenient tools really make you better at photography just to take the photos you want?

Try a change of perspective.

At first glance, it feels like you would get better by taking various photos with a zoom lens.

Certainly, there is that aspect to it as well.

And then, if you want to get better, use a prime lens and move yourself! is another way of thinking.

I am more of this way of thinking. I believe that by moving yourself, you can more easily learn what makes a good composition. Also, there are many reasons, such as the sense of distance in photography and the fact that the fun of using a prime lens increases the amount you shoot.

But today, I want to talk from a slightly different angle.

If you cannot take the photo you want with the lens you have...
think about what is the best way to shoot within the photos you can take.

I believe this change of perspective is extremely important for improving at photography.

In other words, you can expect improvement by limiting your shooting conditions. that is what it means.

Rather than shooting everything freely, having limited conditions such as:
・Having a theme
・Having a limited lens
・Having limited weather
makes your thinking deeper.

Because there are definitely shots you cannot take even if you want to.

When you are in a situation or environment where you can shoot anything, your thinking becomes shallow precisely because you can shoot anything.

Because you can just take the shot.
You don't think any further, right? Because you can just take the shot.

I said it twice because it's important.

Dare to not take the photos you want to take. Give them up.
Find the best shot you can take with what you have on hand.

I think this is one key that is important for improving your photography.

Try these limiting conditions

So, what kind of limiting conditions should you set?

These are my ideas, and I hope you find them helpful.

I think it will feel difficult at first.
Depending on the conditions, you probably won't be able to take good shots at all!

But none of it is a failure.
It is all experience.
Quality won't follow unless you shoot in quantity.
This is the essence of things that also applies to photography.

Well then, everyone, good luck in the world of the photography swamp.

This is also recommended!