Compromised Photography

Photographing this sandstone fin in Arches National Park required a much wider focal length than
the 35mm FOV on my Fujifilm X100VI.  The compromise was to turn the camera vertically, take a
series of images, then stitch them together rather than a single exposure using a much wider focal
length lens. Being that I have a degree in geology, the folding and deformation of these rocks
was fascinating to me so the extra effort was worth it.  (click to enlarge)

Over the past year and a half, I’ve traveled as well as repeatedly gone out and photographed with a camera and one single focal length lens.  Two examples would be using my Fujifilm X100VI or Ricoh GRIIIx.  Photographing with a single focal length lens is both old and new for me.  It is old as that is the way I photographed the first three years of my photographic journey.  At first, I only had a Minolta Hi-Matic 7 with a fixed 45mm f/1.8 lens (1971).  That was it.  When I bought my first SLR, a Minolta SRT-101 (1972), it came with a 55mm f/1.7 lens.  So then that was all I used.  I simply could not afford a second lens.  My photographic life revolved entirely around those two cameras and lenses for a few years.  I learned a lot about photography using only a single focal length lens.  It was a good experience.

Jump to 18 month ago.  Photographing with a single focal length is new to me by the fact that since I was able to afford more than one lens (1974), I’ve always carried a bag with a camera  (many times two) and several lenses.  As I built up my kit over time, focal lengths from extremely wide angle to medium telephoto were covered.  Back then I didn’t want to take a chance of missing any opportunity that may present itself.  After all, isn’t that what serious photographers (or those of us who think we are serious photographers) do?

As the decades passed, I’ve made hundreds of thousands of photographs from thousands of locations and have built up my image library to include just about everything I’ve wished to photograph.  I now no longer feel the need to cover all situations when I go out.  I no longer have that stressful fear of missing out (FOMO) that many experience.  Additionally, I try to simplify my life, including my photography and take a lighter kit with fewer pieces of gear.  That’s where the one camera, one prime lens entered my repertoire.  That decision to carry one camera and one lens has ramifications, however.  Benefits and drawbacks.

The upside for me is that choice has been reduced.  ‘Decision paralysis’ is no longer a thing.  No fretting over which gear to take.  My shoulder and/or back is no longer burdened with a lot of weight and I’m not longer restricted in my movements.  Also, I no longer fear taking a large bag full of gear worrying about it getting stolen.  Frankly, taking a camera and one lens is somewhat liberating.  I am happier and experience more joy.

Texaco Station, Route 66, Winslow, Arizona
X100VI (click to enlarge)

The downside is that often, when taking only one camera and one prime lens, I’m forced to just pass by something of visual interest.  Many subjects which I may encounter just don’t fit nicely into the particular focal length, field of view as well as perspective of the lens that I may be carrying that day.  I can try to make the subject fit the focal length or I can make a memory and walk on by.  Often times I choose to walk on by.

Another consideration is that with only one perspective your photographs can largely all have the same look.  To overcome that ‘same look,’ you really have to be adept at being creative, how you see, what you can envision as well as understand your camera’s controls and the physics of optics.  In other words you have to seriously think things through rather than throwing your camera up in front of your face, pointing it and pressing the shutter (dare I say it?  …as most of the phone camera crowd does.  Be nice.  I’m ready for the criticism for that statement.)  One camera with one focal length lens is very restrictive but, if you work at it, you can make one focal length look like many.

One other factor that I experienced and, I suspect, many of you have as well, is that when there is a heavy bag with multiple lenses sitting by the door, many times I really don’t want to take it.  It’s too much of a hassle.  I don’t want to carry that much ‘stuff’.  Too big.  Too heavy.  If I do take it, I find myself taking it off my shoulder or back frequently and setting it down somewhere.  If I’m traveling and leave it in my hotel room, then I don’t have any camera with me when I may really want to capture an image.  That requires me to take a second, smaller bag and carry a partial kit.  With a small, single focal length camera and lens setup, I just throw it over my shoulder of put it in my pocket and I’m off.  Camera at the ready.

The times that I take only one camera with one lens, I find myself making compromises to make my photographs.  The compromises may come in the form of not being close enough, the lens not wide enough, not being able to achieve just the right composition or not have the near/far relationships among the elements of the image as I would want.  Wrong perspective.  It is not unusual to find it requires too much cropping to get things right as well.  Sometimes I need to engage in one of the well known ‘hacks’ to get the picture such as turning the camera vertically and making several images to later composite into a single panorama image of sorts because the scene required a much wider focal length (see the photo at the top of this post).  As I said, with a camera and single focal length lens, many photographs are the result of some sort of compromise.  You have to accept these compromises if you want the luxury or traveling light and nimble.  If you can’t, well…carry what you must.

Oyster Fishing boats Ricoh GRIIIx (click to enlarge)

Again, on the positive side, working with restrictions can enhance creativity and cause one to improve one’s ‘seeing’ of their surroundings as well as enhancing one’s photographic vision.  I tend to start to notice everything that fits within that focal length—things that may have otherwise escaped my notice.  I also find myself getting creative to get the photo, moreso than I normally would.

The upshot is, if you want to only carry a small camera and prime lens you have to ask yourself, “Am I willing to compromise in my photography?  Can I pass by and ignore interesting subjects and not regret it?  Will my camera allow me to crop heavily if necessary?  Am I willing  engage in less than optimum editing techniques to achieve the results I could have achieved by carrying multiple lenses? Is the trade-off of being unburdened by a bag full of gear worth the compromises?”  Only you can answer for yourself.

Recently, I have watched quite a few videos about carrying only one camera and one lens.  That is actually what gave me the idea for this post.  There are three things I heard the photographers say that are pretty consistent across the board.  First, they feel they take more photos with only one camera and one lens.  Second, they feel they take better photos with only one camera and one lens and third, they are less stressed when traveling with only one camera and one lens—especially when having to choose what to pack and if part of the travel involves flying.  Those are some other things to consider.

As for me, I can do this without much worry because I have a vast library of photographs I’ve made over the years the past 55 years and, if I have to walk by something, that’s okay.  I cannot tell you how many events and things to which I’ve been a witness that, because I was concentrating so hard on getting the best shots, in reality, I essentially missed them.  I had photos but little memory of the event itself.  Now, I think I’d rather see and remember them than miss them just to get an optimum photograph.  Additionally, I love the minimalist weight and bulk.  

AirBnB? I think not!  Ricoh GRIIIx (click to enlarge)

If I were much younger and still out there trying to build a large library of images, most likely I would not give up the versatility of multiple cameras and lenses.  I wouldn’t want to miss anything.  But time cannot be rolled back.

Does this mean I always take just one camera and a single focal length lens?  Heck no.  There are still many times I set out specifically to photograph something that requires a full kit.  In those cases I take what is needed.  I may like simple, small and lightweight but if I have an objective, I’ll take the proper tools with me. 

What say you?  Do you ever take out just a camera and a prime?  If so, is age a factor?  Are the number of years of experience you have photographing a factor?  Is passion a factor?  Tell us your story.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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