One Camera, One Lens | Interview with Award-winning Photographer Farn

“With so little equipment, they can produce… work that is relevant till today.”
What do you need to take great photos?
Do you need the best, high-end gear? Or the latest equipment?
Hear from award-winning local photographer Farn in this interview:
He shares about the equipment he uses, his experiences and gives advice to budding photographers on how to get started with photography!
A big thanks to both Farn for supporting us in this interview!
Find out more about Farn and his business here:
Farn: / farnsharkieboy
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#photography #photographer #camera

[@justanf3835]

"just get gear that suits you and de-stress" most honest advice I've heard in along time !

[@twylights99]

Just an F3 i heard de-stress part as ditch the rest.

[@ZaiNayle]

I agree, you have the talent and the hardship but the outcome doesn't get better because the equipments you jave is not the one you need. I feel u

[@Bardamu3000]

says the guy with a leica. lol

[@RollRecord]

Biggest takeaways: 1)You spend too much time and money on the gear that it actually takes you away from time that could be used to produce good work. 2) Invest in yourself and level up by upgrading your skills and knowledge by attending courses relevant to your field. Thanks for sharing this video! Soo powerful!

[@macallanvintage]

100% perfect sense. Unfortunately, most enthusiasts nowadays are actually more of “cameratologists” interested more in the hardware, gadgets, spending time in the room on editing and endlessly debating on technical matters, while many others are “digital imagolists” who spend most of their time manipulating images into something totally different, and others who are merely “high-end snapshotologists” using expensive new stuff to capture mostly snapshots of no photo artistic value. Its a trend driven by the Americans via their own KZbin and other social media to create and drive a highly lucrative gear-centric “photography” community who spend more time studying specs, researching the products, asking tech questions, arguing and bashing on the keyboard....rather than being out there MOST of the time doing REAL photography.

[@topperharley7142]

You are absolutely correct. Everything and everyone is just about more MP here, more sensor there. More, more, more. It got to a point where i didn't even want to take photos anymore, because all these people manipulating their images to an extend that is highly unrealistic and unnatural. Funny thing is... i'm completely hooked again by photography and also bought a new camera... A 30y old Nikon F4. 35mm film. I'm actually in love again. No screens, no crazy new tech, no nonsense. Just dials and a few buttons. And that really is all you need. Take the badboy out and shoot the hell out of it. Thats what it was made for! :) I highly suggest everyone who's burnt out by all this tech-crap to go give film a try. #FilmIsNotDead

[@HansBaier]

I think digital imagery is an art form in its own right. I frankly would not want to go back to the days of my dad cropping images with scissors. I also edit all my film photos with darktable.

[@topperharley7142]

@@HansBaier It may be true that it is an art form in its own right, but it gives clients/people unrealistic expectations of what a good photograph is all about. I dont say that i dispise everything that is digital. I scan all my negatives from film as well. So i can still crop/process them in Lightroom, if i wanted to. The beauty about film is that it slows you down. It makes you think about every single image that you take. You have to concentrate and frame everything perfectly to your liking before you hit the shutter, because every frame costs you money. No instant checking and repeat for X times. One shot and you got to live with that. I personaly love that. Today im gonna get 4 rolls of film developed and im so excited to see if everything has worked out.

[@BeachBoi1000]

They don’t want to teach you trick of the trade and they might get sponsor for advertising camera products?

[@peterhayward1848]

@@topperharley7142 When I first started in photography it was only film and for some time I only used one lens. So much better and so much more versatile when I could afford a zoom. Once I'd tried digital almost 20 years ago there was no looking back. Best thing that ever happened in photography although I do agree with you about image manipulation. Far too much of it going on. Retired now but still taking photos for charity and for myself. Stay safe.

[@TUTWZRD]

The happiest time in career was when I owned one lens, and one camera. It was also the most creative time in my career.

[@peterhayward1848]

I felt limited with one lens. Weddings mostly.

[@TUTWZRD]

@@peterhayward1848 There is a difference between a professional and an Artist.

[@peterhayward1848]

@@TUTWZRD And what is that difference?

[@TUTWZRD]

Peter Hayward Professionals operate from function. Artists Operate from expression and emotions. What an artist produces is an extension of themselves, what a pro puts out is an extension of client needs. So yes, if you’re doing a wedding and your client wants her entire dress in a small room, you need to use a wide lens because that’s the right tool for the job. You may not like the shot as the photographer, but it’s what your client asked for, you’ve then fulfilled the needs of someone else. Artists fulfill their own needs when creating, especially for themselves, people either take it or leave it, but there is absolutely no changing or negotiations involved, because that is not the agenda of an artist. Don’t believe me? Watch the video again and meditate on what I said.

[@ZarzoHd]

Same with me. I still remember only owning the kit lens and felt so happy, now I have 3 and it’s not the same anymore

[@ibnufajar9466]

Lovely video, very humble, very thoughtful... I can feel the love in photography is beyond cameras, beyond lenses... It's about love of photography it self... Me being cliche and emotional and waiting to be back on the street again taking photos

[@mkbuhain]

couldnt' agree more with this guy, very simple, his minimalist work and creativity transcends gear. This is what photography should be about.

[@papje]

Good gear helps but it's the man behind the camera that makes the art

[@h1pst3r88]

I just learned more about photography in this video than from any of the other dozens and dozens of "influencer" videos I've watched combined. Thank you, Farn.

[@rommyjohnkalluvely2902]

wow this makes so much sense, I am enlightened. Thanks Farn

[@manilamartin1001]

Cool. Just got recommended this channel. Would like to hear him talk more about a couple if images. Maybe soon. Great photographer. And thanks for it being in english.

[@andreidk6730]

This is real photography.

[@klaww2845]

Incredible video! Truly inspiring. Thank you!

[@boris.dupont]

I love everything in this video, from Singapore to the 'one camera, one lens' concept to Farn's wise words and great advice, let alone his great photographs, it's superb, thanks for sharing!

[@opensesame8508]

I love this guy.... Best advice.. advice of the century. Thank you.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

very thoughtful. very enjoyable. thank you for the effort and the sharing. thumbs up.

[@jonnycumtastefully]

What a refreshing change this was from all the commercialism on media today. Farn comes across as a great guy & undoubtedly a fine photographer. He has some great advice for those who will listen.

[@daveetrice2]

Really great stuff right there. I know I have Gear Acquisition Syndrome as an enthusiast but it can add much unneeded stress thinking about gear over that next press of the shutter. Appreciate this video!

[@StephenBell_video]

Wise words and the proof is in the results! Great job guys! 👏👏📷📷

[@tallaganda83]

It is very liberating to shoot with one camera and one lens, and take that even further shooting with a particular film stock. It cuts out a lot of noise and you just look for things that would suit that film stock, that focal length and the mood at the time.

[@allenparsens5279]

Wow just wow. Thanks for that advice. I intend to do exactly as you say.

[@MattJungJinChoi]

Lovely video thank you. I bought a M8 the other day too :) going to stick with this and a 35mm lens for 6months

[@professionalpotato4764]

The video editing and sound design is pretty nice! I like it! Actually for under $1k, getting a second hand Eos M and a bunch of cheap 7 artisans f1.2 lenses is a nice option too. If you suddenly want to become a hybrid shooter, can always hack with ML and shoot raw videos too.

[@manyoffers7119]

What a wonderful short film. We have a lot to learn from Farn.

[@DecentGatsby]

Still shooting with a old ass m9 with a Biogon 28 and Summicron 35. I really like his philosophy-sometimes it gets really tempting to get the latest gear but that’s just a huge distraction. The gear you have-suffices. Focus on your eye and composition, that’ll take you farther than any gear. Daido Moriyama said “make your camera your own slave” not the other way around. Enjoyed this video 👌🏽

[@pereirakelvin67]

Thanks bro that the best advice. Right now will go of my 35mm len which I love the best.✌📸

[@ObservingBeauty]

You’re an unbelievable role model. I’ll say it simply - some say what you said, but to you, I believe

[@salmanfarsy9641]

Thank you so much, you have no idea how much you have inspired me. Thank you :)

[@sbhopper8511]

Very much enjoyed this video.

[@adrianherrera9130]

"You don't do machinegun with this " good one my man . I don't understand why people are jeaulous about his gear ... don't de fool people . Work your ass and buy whatever you want . This is about simplicity , it never said "on a budget"

[@MamerBaraka]

Funny thing is: his gear isn’t expensive at all, he uses an old (but capable) M8 that goes for ~ 1500$ on the second hand market and a cheap Voigtländer 28mm.

[@noxious_hamster]

@@MamerBaraka thats still comparable to a a7m3 + 2470za price wise though - which granted, isnt the most expensive professional setup - but you dont whip that one out and go like "oh, just make due with what you have... take a look at those smartphone pictures, can you *honestly* spot a difference?".

[@danbrowning2418]

Great advice!

[@Rajupkd]

Inspiring !!

[@maskretek4099]

This guy pressed the pause-button in my gear-plan. Perhaps a good vid to start this new year : )

[@Herfinnur]

The photographer is cool and everything, but this video has some of the best colours I've ever seen in a KZbin video!

[@neelchat594]

agreed.

[@ronitsingh85]

i love his logic, if photographers were able to manage with just film in decades past, we sure dont need a fancy modern camera system to take decent to great shots. Also note, to all people who have never fully been squinted with a film camera that you manually cock to take the shot, ones from the beginning to through the 80s or 90s, they were almost all of them a mechanical perfection, so was the lens, solid and well built. Now with electronic cameras, they are not made to last so long or do a good job, its like vintage treadle singer sewing machines made from cast iron, hardened parts vs the new electronic programable, loosely fitting plastic parts that break before they can wear down. Very few companies make cameras that good now that last so long, I guess any digital camera will be limited by the electronics in there but still they do last 10yrs + some of them, use it until it drops! Manual focus lenses, they will last 2 life times or more with CLA when needed. That is one thing I am happy cannot be changed. a lens is a lens, it cannot be reinvented twice.

[@chriss2295]

The simpler your tools, the more you can focus on your art.

[@mike.9579]

Indeed

[@distomos8118]

After 7 years I upgraded my gear, a DSLR and a small companion with a fixed lens. The new mirrorless and the M4/3 I bought are fascinating cameras. Out of the box they produce technically excellent images. On the other hand they’re full of gimmicks and setup choices that make me long for older days when a split screen for focus adjustment the the correct exposure settings via two dials where all you have to worry about. The subject was in the center of my attention. I believe that at most I‘ll use 10 to maybe 20% of all the gimmicks of the new cameras. I concur with this gentleman and my advice, if you work with a DSLR or similar: rather invest in excellent lenses, besides knowledge.

[@alanrivas2950]

Amazing and humble guy, I will check out Robert capa!

[@theDfLopes]

Get your camera, a 50mm (full frame) or 35mm (cropped) and enjoy the happiness of photography. I have only a Canon 600d/T3i, with 18-105, 35 and 55-250mm lenses (to close and far subjects)

[@kanashiart]

Yeah, I sold all my stuff after hoarding camera's equipment and bought just old Canon 40D and 50/1.8 and was shooting with it for like two years. Now I'm hoarding again, but more carefully, purchased 5D and 70-300 to cover my needs.

[@akhilvid]

True inspiration ❤️

[@ezpainting4697]

Skill matters. Respect!

[@anashkhr]

I smiled watching this

[@Ktheodoss]

I am so on board with what this guy is saying. Keep it simple ! One camera and one lens. Shoot the shit out of it. Stop believing your held back by not having the new camera or new lens. People were making masterpieces with bulky tlr cameras way before anyone ever heard of a pixel.

[@HansBaier]

My Mamiya C220 with the blue dot 135mm still shoots pics which are in a class of their own. Can't get that feel with digital. See this: instagram.com/p/B-5lQAtB_7s/?igshid=1f0jkqxy5p1i0

[@robodobo222]

Great photography attitude. Love the way you think. Unfortunately photography has changed so much regarding camera's and gear, most people have become obsessed with new gear more than bettering their photography. Unfortunately I am one of these people.

[@mariogpx2990]

Leica and wide angle lens I knew it ! That make sense

[@azzalos]

Really nice video. Honestly most people that end up saying this own a Leica. I know because I’m in the same boat.

[@HansBaier]

Because there is not much money left to buy anything else :]

[@peterhayward1848]

@@HansBaier You are so right! Status symbol!

[@user-ci4hu9bu3p]

Потрясающие снимки!!! Супер!!!!

[@prtzy]

Nicely done 🤘🏼

[@joyojoyo8]

salute!

[@onkarkulkarni9410]

Absolutely nice videography, background music really justify what you want to convey. could you please guide how did you get that effect ? maybe Lookup table?

[@unknown9274]

this guy and i have similar view on photography. i totally get him

[@anneliewillen2428]

Could you write down some of the books that he recommend?

[@mwales2112]

Great work Farn. I have been shooting Olympus Micro 4/3 for the past 5+ years and before that I was a Canon full and crop shooter. I made the jump to Olympus after getting fed up with all the big bulky Canon gear. Right now I only have my Pen-F left and a couple of primes and will continue thinning out my gear until I'm only left with a Fujifilm X100 and X100F.

[@justanf3835]

I think I'm starting that journey too, first you build up all this stuff, then you realise it's actually hindering you, not helping, and you start to think about what you can live without.

[@HansBaier]

I got my PenF last week and I am blown away by the pictures. The colors are just amazing.

[@peterhayward1848]

@@HansBaier Modern digital is amazing. We do spend a lot on it but I spent years unable to afford the best. Now I can afford stuff, mostly, and I like it.

[@SwaroopDamaraju]

Personally, I feel, it all depends on what kind of photography you are doing. For example, if you are into wedding and event photography or sports.. client won't accept these kind of pics. For documentary photography, this is absolutely fine, because it is more about how you are telling the story with your picture. Not just the megapixels and detailing. A great advice, but one need to know where to apply this advice. IMHO.

[@peterhayward1848]

I fully agree with what you say. Imagine handing over a set of wedding shots that badly taken!

[@fez877]

I think its obvious he is not targeting the wedding and event photography industry. With the M8 and manual focus, he is gonna miss a lot of shots. But its funny when he said spend less on gear and he whips out a Leica. Lol

[@SwaroopDamaraju]

@@fez877 Ofcourse it is obvious. My intention was to highlight that fact to many others who watch this video. Just have a look at the comment section. Other than the niche market that he is into, there are not many professional options with one camera and one lens(not just wedding and event). And yes, it was funny when he took out the Leica. hahaha I do agree with his philosophy to an extent. The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but you need good equipment so that others can see that beauty ;) :P :P

[@joris818]

@@fez877 The M8 can be had for about 1500 euros which is a lot of money for such an old camera. But it's hardly more than a 5D. The Voigtlander lens is 500-600 euros which is also pretty affordable.

[@GeneralTarik]

Other than sports, you could do gigs with this setup with maybe one or two more lenses. After ten years of event shooting, I’ve recently starting shooting weddings and events using mostly an M240 and 3 lenses. There are some wedding and event photographers who shoot with just two lenses like a 35mm and an 85mm.

[@jgab7042]

1 camera, a price of 3 cameras.

[@ffiiqqqqqq]

CRACKED ME UP HAHAHAHAHA but yeah what is he on 😂

[@Lorenzopphotography]

lmao haha

[@wan8655]

Everything will look good on a Leica

[@SuperRaven79]

True, but if you use it over decades... Its cheaper than buying every new model. I am a victim and bought every GH model from Panasonic. Now i realized that i would be still happy with the GH2....

[@Cagey7531]

Who said it was about cost dummies? It's about simplicity

[@cameratechnologycambodia2751]

Good video sharing!!!

[@britainthroughmylens]

This video should be watched by all the gear heads on the internet taking pictures of their cat. I just bought the fabulous Fuji XT4 and two primes ;)

[@rochester212]

Really? You think it`s easy shooting feral cats using a compact camera worth 1/10 of what you paid for your Fuji?

[@kalyemototv1147]

awesome content.

[@BeachBoi1000]

Very nice picture composition. It will be good if he teach us how to do it.

[@johnvienna3422]

For a minute I thought it was going to be yet another Leica ad. Then he told us to go and buy a cheap Canon. Love it.

[@nicolas.leger3]

Awesome 👏🏽

[@rafiqmalik2818]

Hy dear if u are still there. What set up have u usef for this shot. Camera+lens etc? Any lights?

[@Niele160]

With 1k today you could buy a used Nikon D610 (entry level full frame) and either a prime 35mm Nikkor or a 24-70mm Tamron or Sigma depending on what you want to shoot and how versatile you want to be. I'd go for the prime always, you can get an AF-D for around 200 eur/usd. They're not the best 35mm prime out there but they're more than good enough. A couple of years back, this setup would cost you around 1,5-2k! Sony A7II also are affordable if you want to go mirrorless, but it will be trickier to find good glass and you might need adapters, which will sometimes give you problems with autofocus, vignetting and some other stuff if I recall correctly, so keep that in mind if you're shooting street or in any environment that needs quick autofocus. Honestly, today is a good day to take the plunge and buy a camera. It's come to the point where quality isn't necessarily tied to extremely high prices anymore and I think that's a good thing!

[@LKpixels]

was this shot with sony? idk why i don’t really like this colour grading, but it seems popular.

[@alburp3009]

After watching this, I think I should spend more time on my lone lens. Haha

[@dominikherencic]

I completely agree with this guy i just bought Canon 7D with lens that is not worth 100$, Canon 7D is pretty much very old camera when i say old i think about more than 11 years from now. I like it a lot it has everything that i need its capabilities are big if you know how to use them right 😁

[@kanashiart]

Ohh that is one of my dream camera! But I realized that 40D (2006) is enough for me, paired with my new-old 5D (2005), I'm shooting just for micro stocks. Good luck with it!

[@ngariwm]

Very good advice

[@michaelobrien8219]

good advice

[@taylerprosser2024]

And THIS is why I’m working my ass off to buy a Leica Q2. I’m a documentary style photographer but I’m also an EMT so buying a Leica is the equivalent to climbing Mount Everest. It’s worth the work to me.

[@crazykenbei]

Why not the Leica q?

[@AcidicDelusion]

Go for it man. The q2 is amazing and honestly all you'll ever need.

[@MamerBaraka]

Love my Q2, but a (used) Q is a great investment, too, if you don’t need the 47mp.

[@HansBaier]

Buying Leica bodies is just an extremely expensive way of buying Panasonic.

[@peterhayward1848]

@@HansBaier You are so right! I agree completely.

[@uifilmz5061]

Your Eye Is Your Art, Camera Is The 🎨

[@altermore]

Cool! What camera and lens was this film shot with? Thnx!

[@jaxchambers7652]

Awesome !!! (Kiss) keep it supper simple.

[@HolinessuntotheLord]

Most of the photographers nowadays depends on their gear. While the photographers back then depends on their skill. And this guy is a good example of a true photographer with a great skill.

[@jpollard1984]

What I’m about to say is not meant to take anything at all away from the photographers back then. But, say a combat photographer, are the pictures they took so impactful because of their skill? Or because of the scenes they captured just from the events unfolding around them. I’ve read some things from some of the WW2 photographers that said they had no clue that some of their most iconic images were captured until the film was developed. They pretty much just stuck the camera out from behind cover and hit the shutter. Some of the most iconic images out there, look like a knee jerk point the camera and hit the shutter. But the events unfolding around them were so intense, that the photo couldn’t help but be iconic. Again, I’m not taking anything from these old pros, but it’s something I’ve always wondered.

[@albertbenny7430]

Gear also matters

[@oliverkhoo]

Inspiring

[@iambijay3837]

WOW 😳

[@S3l3ct1ve]

All you need to do is attend to the proper events or just go to the bustling streets... The moment worth awards will rise eventually and you will be able to take a picture of them sooner or later. Many of the photographers just collect their gear and do not go there and shoot... If you want to shoot something good, you need to go to the places or events you havent been before.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I often go out shooting with one camera and one prime lens or two cameras and two prime lenses, a wide angle and a short tele lens.

[@shawonbose]

It's laica!!! Reach man

[@TheKiwiJobes]

Guys if you want a similar setup then go for an x100s with the 28mm adapter!

[@trym2121]

Ricoh grII is better package. Small and native 28mm equivalent

[@josephtaylor3754]

For street photo shots , can be using normal lens; you don’t need special long high speed lens or lighting But for studio or commercial you may need more depends on budget. I would say if you have $5000 spend $1000 on camera and $1,000 on 2 lenses (one zoom and one prime) Then spend $500 on lessons Then spend $2,000 on travels to get the pictures

[@Megamare1]

More important to get the shot than ur hardware and perhaps ... mod. it in post if desired....📸

[@santarpanroy570]

I have one camera and two lenses. But my prime lens does back focusing sometimes 😭

[@vermontmike9800]

For those who take shots at Leicas…let’s not forget their resale value. I could buy an M8 today and sell it around the same price or minimal loss 2 years from now.

[@LouvreatFirstSight]

Great video! I would love to see more interviews with diverse photographers. I enjoy sharing these with my students, but please take the time to provide better closed captioning.

[@FitriShukri]

I use Leica too... The 'engineered' version on Huawei's smartphone 🤣🤣🤣

[@photozen8398]

28 mm is challenging focal length, I stumbled on this video searching "how to use 28 mm focal length" amazing……!

[@Dragontasticvideos]

You have to consider the APS-H sensor on that M8. The shots are rather a 37mm focal length

[@gnalter]

@@Dragontasticvideos thank you, i have been wondering what actual focal lenght it has through the leica m8 :)

[@pixiedixie3682]

150£ xe1 second hand . Terrific camera.

[@goosenp]

If you have less than $1000, get a beginner camera like a medium format digital Hasselblad, phase one or Leica

[@jpm_drums]

You forgot the other $5,000 in loans because that was all there was in your bank account

[@LearnPhotography]

I see myself in you

[@maheshthk3730]

Be a kindness photographer ..

[@michaels8597]

Pentax K1Mk2..ONE lens,NO flash,NO tripod,and no post...Slow frame per second rate,how I wanted it.Makes me learn,makes me work,makes me move my feet,and get all up in there..NYC street shooting,with a full frame,heavy/big camera,already breaking the MYTH,you need to be sneaky and have a tiny camera...

[@stephenmungtombing7985]

Try shooting on a starter kit.. It may turn out very different!

[@AEVN.Finland]

3:28

[@joeycovington4681]

True Dat'

[@jaysmithz9934]

How to sell your shoot sir?

[@thedudeabides3930]

It's not the tool it's the eye.

[@adeebmd5701]

If only there were more small rangefinder style then fuji and leica cuz DSLRS last long but too big meanwhile mirrorless drains yet compact. After fighting this long battle in my head i just ended up buying a used D7200 cuz nikon feels right at home

[@Steyreon]

Develop a vision.

[@johnny_bravo9990]

Can anyone tell me what lens he's got? I must have missed it

[@supergoosegal]

Voigtlander ultron 28mm f2

[@johnny_bravo9990]

@@supergoosegal thanks mate

[@accountkot7217]

what is he saying in the beginning?

[@kitkuparshabong1855]

I thought I was the only one😟