How important are a photographer’s tools? You’ve probably heard the phrase it’s the photographer, not the camera, but you may have also heard the phrase that a photographer is only as good as the equipment he/she uses. A lot of people will tell you some form of the former statement, but only after they’ve acquired the best tools possible for their style of shooting. A street photographer will tell you to focus on the story and not acquiring the latest trinket, all while shooting on the best possible equipment. And while the latter isn’t necessarily true, if you’re shooting street photography with a plasticy zoom kit lens, you definitely don’t want to hear that. Especially since we hear so much about how the greats stuck to a 35mm prime lens.

People find different ways to avoid the never-ending barrage of new equipment. One of those ways is to shoot only on film, and with a camera line that is complete.

I often find myself going through flickr looking for pictures that were taken by a particular lens. I have a fixation with equipment that is evident by the 5 or so groups that I’ve started for specific lenses. I often wonder what people are doing with their expensive Leica, or Zeiss gear, and what kind of uber-sharp, sexy photographs they’ve been taking with those unattainable beauties. I often find that I’m disappointed though.

Photography means different things for everyone. Some see it as a means to pay bills or a craft, some see it as an art, some see it as a way to record important moments. I see it as all of those, while also being a form of meditation. Observation is an important skill to have while meditating. Observing but not interrupting is something that takes a bit of time to get used to. This is what street photography is for me.