5 Reasons to Keep Your Equipment Simple feat. Documentary Photography Daniel Milnor

Documentary Photographer Daniel Milnor joins Marc Silber to discuss 5 reasons why you should keep your equipment simple.
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This episode is shot using a Canon EOS 5D Mark III: amzn.to/2Prm0E6
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[@IanMcCausland]

The physical demands to being a great photographer should not be over looked! Love Dan and his way of articulating the wisdom

[@jorgemoro5476]

Mmmm. I’m watching this as I await delivery of my new GFX ultra wide.

[@jacobh5817]

To me this is one of the most essential lessons in photography and Dan explains it perfectly (as he always does). I see this all the time in our studio workshops. Participants carry large bags with sometimes 6-7 lenses and at the end of the day, they used only 1 or 2. This lesson is not only for documentary, but also for travel, portrait and many other types of photography. It might sometimes be a zoom lens (pref. not) but then make sure you’re not all over the place. My personal favorite is a combo of 35 and 75 or just one 50 on an M-body. For those who see themselves as casual (holiday) snapshot shooters, try it. Just take a 35 or 50 on your next trip and dedicate yourself to that. You’ll probably be amazed with the results.

[@marcsilber]

🙌

[@mwales2112]

When I shot Canon 6+ years ago I carried everything, every time I went out to shoot and wasted so much time and energy deciding what to use and most of the time I would miss the shot I wanted at that time.. Plus you just became a target for theft. Now I shoot Fujifilm and either carry just my X100V or X-Pro3 w/35 1.4 lens and I enjoy myself so much more while out shooting. Thanks Mark and Dan...

[@stinkystealthysloth]

"My 1 camera and 1 lens... Well, my 2 main film cameras. Also my x-T2 with the speedmaster. My other x-T2 as well. Blurb also let me get the xt4. I also got a new sony camera.1 camera and 1 lens, that's all you need!" All jokes aside, love this Collab with Dan milnor, he's a living legend.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@craigmeyer5291]

Timing. timing, timing! Dan sparked a memory of my, unfortunately long gone, favorite photographer, Galen Rowell. I brought my son to a two- day workshop with Galen about 30 years ago. As to the physical, no one was in better shape than he was. To gear, while a Nikon guy, he kept an early film EOS Rebel camera with a single, probably 35 or 50mm, lens as his daily running companion. His famous sunset behind the temple photo in, I think Nepal, was made only because he could run at altitude over a mile with light equipment to capture that composition at THE moment. He told, the story to make the very point you do. BTW, he also tells that he made that trip multiple times to get it right--no back screen then. At the Workshop, he did a critique and one of my submissions was selected. It was a perfectly composed, exposed, focused, framed pair of ducks swimming on a lake shoreline in late afternoon light--perfect, too. But Galen couldn't figure out why it didn't work. Well, I neglected to mention that the lead duck was facing in the opposite direction of his travel. I missed the MOMENT. By then after 40 years of photography, trained into numbness, I submitted a "perfect" exposure that was a lousy photograph, because it missed the timing. Reviewing my entire archive to organize it for the future viewers, I came across a small, stapled set of B&W 127 film format prints from my Kodak Dual Flex that I used for my 1950's "documentary" photography. Great seeing NY City through my 12-year-old eyes. FIRST photo, a man's BACK!!! passing through the Subway turnstile at the onset of my journey. Moral of the story: Learning is a lifelong journey. Pick the subject you like, so you can enjoy all the skills and perspective to be learned. Sorry for the length, I've been a fan of you both, especially you Marc, for a long time.

[@marcsilber]

Thanks for those wonderful stories! I wish I had met Galen- how fortunate you are!

[@ManuelRodriguez-wm2gv]

True words. Since May 2019 I've been working on a color series that documents found images as I go about my daily routines. Doing this with a tiny Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 (fits easily in a pocket) that set me back $114 new. Imperfect exposure and framing at times, but a magnificently sharp Tessar-design lens that renders round objects as round. When everything comes together the resulting images are exquisite. Light is VERY important here and has nothing to do with gear selected. So, important to keep things minimal from a size/weight perspective, making it easy to remain unencumbered and inconspicuous, while at the same time less gear promotes consistency image to image.

[@donuteatingtiger]

Thanks Marc and Dan for sharing your knowledge. I trully find your videos enlightening as an amateur photogtapher.

[@BackFocus11]

Thanks Marc and Dan for this straight up no BS talk for photographers. Pack light and be agile. Focus on your subject and vision not the gear or settings. Gear is a tool for creativity not the other way around. Love your channel Marc! Thanks for keeping it real.

[@markcimon3588]

Great video , love it when Dan Milnor is the guest ! Common sense rules, I never carried a truckload on my back, light bag, 1 cam 1 lens, often enough it was the nifty 50 -1.2 manual focus or a 35mm. Even way back when I was shooting P.J, keep it simple ad let the workflow do its thing... Freedom ! Now that I am retired from Active duty, I continue the 1 and 1 game plan... Love it. Enjoy watching you guys, refreshing ! Cheers !

[@marcsilber]

Thanks for joining us and staying simple!

[@lorgar87]

Brilliant! 40mm is may focal length of choice, that's it!

[@johna6968]

The amount of hassle we have had carrying full kit. Strangely folk beside using phones for a similar purpose go unnoticed.. Sold everything now and usually found behind my trusty G11

[@ebreckpo6563]

This is an excellent point! The last few months i am just documenting my life, surroundings with an old Leica M8 fitted with a Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 lens. I have to circumvent all the quirkiness of this camera as not great iso performance, limited dynamic range, 10mp barely no cropping, temperamental batteries and 15 years old electronics. I noticed the results are extremely good (even large prints), you start to observe your surroundings more thoughtfully. I find the pictures I have taken more creative and in line with my photographic expectations. The rest of my equipment stays in the closet or is systematically being sold after assessing it do I still need it, how long has it been in storage. In those strange times I get a more pragmatic view regarding all the stuff (photo and non photo) we accumulated in all those years. In a couple of weeks I have to document a ceremony regarding the armistice. One camera and 2 lenses a 35mm and a 75mm. Will I keep this spartan approach, definitely not, but it is a nice experiment and a refresh of what are your specific needs for the pictures you take.

[@patriciasantiago2341]

Great video! After years of carrying heavy camera backpacks which caused back pain as well, I recently I began carrying a small Fuji x100V. It’s perfect!

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@SebastianBevanPhotography]

Ooo sooo true, some great points in there Marc

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@MrCochise71]

Such a great video. You guys bringing it again. Yeah I don't want a pack mule full of gear. Save your cash for Taco's and a beer. 🤣

[@davidwoods80]

The return of Spaceman Spiff! Always fun to see Dan.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@sobelsb]

Thanks for the video. With sun shades on, maybe a podcast is a better format.

[@peterknoester7480]

Thanks Daniel for sharing your thoughts. I have been looking for the photo-essay you mentioned at the end of the video, but I can not find it. Please can you share the volume of the New Yorker, maybe I can get a copy send to me in Holland. Peter

[@MrMauriziomazzoni]

Everything said is so true!!

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@benswanepoel]

I learn a lot from Dan, I enjoy his quirky manner and refreshing brand of humility that, come to think about it, is not really humility at all  He taught me to get back to the essence of photography again, to strip away the clutter of gear and the distraction of too many options. Now, in almost every case, it’s just little ol me, my 5D, a 50, and my personal view of life, love and American homemade apple pie. However………(that was all just a set up) however……in my personal journey, I still find that there are those times when one lens just doesn’t do it, when I need to examine life from a few different perspectives simply to understand what I am seeing. Hell, sometimes I love nothing more than to load up my camara bag with as much gear as I can cram into it, drive my motorbike up some remote mountain trail to a far flung waterfall, and spend a day screwing around with every perspective, focal length, shutter speed, filter combination possible! If you were out to mug me and steal all my equipment, I wouldn’t even hear you coming, so absorbed and content would I be. So, yes I listen to Dan's advice and reluctantly admire his ability to look really great in strange glasses, in most situations. In others however, I trust my own instincts and thown in the 35mm as well, or the macro......or, heaven forbid, the 85mm......and be damed! Thanks for the great content! keep it coming!

[@ianbutler5262]

Superb viewing and great words Dan 👍

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@iczemi]

Yep it makes perfect sense, like my thinking. I have three lenses one camera and one tripod. Ma be a bit too much.

[@robmcd]

I got Sony A7iii Tamron 28-75 85 prime 24 prime Tamron 70-180 Tamron 17-28 Sony 200-600 And then I bought a Fuji X100V and can’t put it down, and the jpegs give me confidence to print with great results. I’m done editing for endless hours.

[@bjlmag]

Went through nearly an identical experience before grabbing a used X100F. I’ll never go back to the “backpacking” photography style.

[@robmcd]

@@bjlmag I bought an XT4 and a “fifty” on the weekend. (35F2) I must focus on simplicity.

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

my favorite image captured was with a x100F, go figure haha. Im going to get another one I loved the form factor.

[@blaeandblack547]

Cool glasses man!

[@thewindrises]

can some one link the essay he was talking about?

[@greenbrightly]

Does anyone know the issue of the New Yorker or the photographer Daniel mentions?

[@antmarignon]

Good tips against GAS

[@josephjamessilva]

exactly

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@mcalkiew]

Daniel speaks like a cult leader telling the only truth. But I love to listen to him because it reminds me of what is most important in photography, teaches me to pay attention to details and why every detail matters. Thank you and I look forward for more.

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@terrylstarks]

Why all of a sudden are these advertisements for porn showing up in the comments section of a lot of shows now? It’s not why I read the comments!!!! Thanks for another great show!!!!!

[@jorgemoro5476]

I have NEVER seen ANY porn on ANY of KZbin channels I subscribe to. Must be based on your browsing history chief. Back off a notch.

[@hugomejia264]

Question ? What do you think about to use a cellphone camera in a project?my cellphone camera allows me to take photos shutter speed mode , could be use in a serious photo project? not for Instagram or Facebook nothing like that, I'm talking about for magazines or exhibition etc...

[@xcx8646]

Any gear is fine if it makes you happy. Print some images from it as big as you need and see if you like them. Then you'll have your answer.

[@gainde1137]

Would you choose a 24 or 35mm lens if it would be the only one for documentary/photojournalism/street?

[@marcsilber]

For me it would be 35 if full frame

[@markscott4059]

What is the 50mm on your xt2? Mitakon speedmaster f/0.95?

[@anandhua.b4589]

most probably 35mm f/0.95

[@kims37]

So right ;-)

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@davidssongs296]

I love Daniel's stuff. One item he didn't mention on why you don't necessarily need excess equipment is that you set yourself up to get robbed. I shot a music festival over a weekend using a lot of good kit and on the last night, as I was heading home some guys came up on me and started shooting (guns). Luckily they missed and drove off but they had seen how much camera stuff I had. I got good photos on that shoot but probably could have done almost as well with one body, a camera mounted speed light and one or two lenses.

[@lelandsmith2320]

There are places in the world where it is not in your best interest to be perceived as a journalist. I'll stick with my Canon SL1 and my 85mm 1.8 with my 24mm pancake in my pocket until the world becomes a better place!

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@rlysakowski]

Question to Dan - why being ex-Leica shooter, you’re on Xt2 with manual lens while there are better options for going manual on digital like Leica M? I have both and cannot understand why would you prefer Fuji with manual lens.

[@nocommentnoname1111]

Guess you didnt listen well. Answer: Small and cheap.

[@anandhua.b4589]

@@nocommentnoname1111 yeah don't have to baby it as much

[@marksantostefano1637]

Leica is just too expensive that’s why!

[@rlysakowski]

@@anandhua.b4589 probably so... much cheaper, that's for sure!

[@rlysakowski]

XT2 with Fujinon 50/2 would be smaller, still offering manual focus and autofocus as bonus. Perhaps the one he's got has faster aperture. Still surprised by the choice.

[@p_aulwhite]

Some common sense on youtube at last!

[@marcsilber]

🙏

[@carrieannkouri2151]

I love to walk the streets of Marrakech with one little Fuji camera and one lens. Nobody cares what or who I photograph. If I have a DSLR, locals become very resistant. .

[@marcsilber]

👍

[@josephasghar]

Sage advice. Unfortunately, it’s not until you’re encumbered with gear that you realise it’s not about the gear.

[@marcsilber]

Sad but true. But easy to pivot!

[@brookfabling]

I am 62 I have been doing photography since 24 and have never carried more than one camera one lens.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

I respect your opinion and agree to disagree on almost everything you say.

[@marcsilber]

Good!

[@aquilifergroup]

For algorithm

[@BrianMorrisPhoto]

Not buying into the orchestrating statement....... LIGHT TIMING AND COMPOSITION is the power of orchestrating the image.

[@ashtonal.2634]

No disrespect but how many more videos can you make of exactly the same thing !

[@marcsilber]

we'll see, you're welcome to tune out at any time

[@abraxamovic]

If the man himself, Daniel Milnor, considers himself lazy, what the fuck am I then?

[@bikeandsee1647]

Strongly disagree: A) That moment/picture you have been waiting for all your life, may be 5 seconds long, 70 meters away. If you have a long tele or you dont carry will make the difference. B) If people around you are hostile to you, or not, it is absolutely up to your attitude, not how much gear you carry, are you a socializing folk or an hostile one stealing images. C) I bet that if I sell all my diversified gear, still I will not be able to purchase your Leica and one Summilux you paid for ten grands at least. D) If indeed you own one camera one lens, and I dont buy it, your are not able to perform most of branches of photography. E) But let's assume for a moment you only perform street photography with a single focal length. Is such a case, and there were and are many photographers like this, then you not only are creative but you are subjugating reality to your artistic needs, you are not communicating a mesagge but only your mind, ONLY. It is certainly a choice, among many approaches. F) It is easy to disregard others by bringing their attitudes to absurd, and this is what you do when you talk about that cumbersome photographer. G) Your video is not helpful, even not in describing with precision a photographer's approach to his tools. Have you wanted to differentiate between what you have in your closet and what you select to carry in any specific day, this could start to make useful sense. Yet your video is an exercise in patronizing, not in communicating help. But on the other hand you certainly are not the only youtuber doing it.