Been through both of these phases and now I carry a Ricoh GR3 and/or my Leica Q2 Monochrom at all times. Both 28mm fixed lenses and obviously the Q2M ONLY shoots B&W digital and nothing else. After decades of SLRs and DSLRs and now mirrorless setups and bags of primes and zooms, its so refreshing to just have a simple 1 lens setup and to shoot with only that. If you're not trying to shoot birds and wildlife 400m away then its really all you need to rekindle that love again. In fact, it makes me think I should sell all my big bag of Canon RF stuff again and just go simple.....and B&W only of course 🤣

Enjoying these vlogs - thanks. Retiring very early a few years ago has given me the time and space to rekindle my 40 year passion for photography and start a load of projects again. Taking pictures again is just the most enjoyable and healthy pastime again.

If you post photos for your own reasons. Don't post them for other people. Some people might like them, that's just a bonus. The first time I posted I heard all the critics say this and that. I told them to show me that they can do better. They couldn't. Most "critics" don't know how to create.

I deleted my accounts everywhere except Facebook (everybody needs something) a few years ago. I thought I was “bigger” than chasing the likes, but I wasn’t. I don’t miss it at all, and I will never go back to Instagram or Vero and hopefully never fall into the trap of any new version of Insta, Snap, TikTok or what not… 😊

I think there's a time in a place for both. I'm very much either. I take my big backpack with all my gear. If I'm going to do that I need to allow more time and I hike with it. I actually enjoy the fitness aspect of carrying my gear, I look at it like a gym workout. I actually go into beast mode and I really enjoy getting a good sweat up because that's good for us and then I take my photos and then I leave but there are times when I just feel a bit lazy and all I wanna do is take the XT5 with one camera one lens and just go and do some basic photography. It really depends what mode and what mood I'm in also if I'm shooting for a client or if I'm just relaxing, it really does depend on too many factors. I never have a problem with coming up with creativity.

100% agree. I do photography for me, couldn't give a shit if people like or hate my images. Just being out with the camera puts me in a happy place.

If you're new to photography social media can be helpful. I do really well out of it but I just post one photo a day and then respond to the comments when I can. I sell a lot of photos from Instagram and from Facebook because where I live people don't click on websites they're not interested in fancy websites. In fact I don't even have a fancy website that makes me look better than I am. I'm a really good photographer in Australia and I don't need a fancy website. My images sell themselves but you have to get to that level where your work is good. I think it's all about balance. It's okay to have social media. Just don't get addicted to it.

This is very well articulated and I reckon anyone who is struggling/lacking motivation should try imposing a few limitations. One prime lens and let go of the need to shoot everything you see. P.s. Are those film enlargers in the background?

Still an OM2 fan. Great thing about film it makes you think as each shot costs. Wish I still had my darkroom 🙄😂😂