At 80, I am retired from my work in portrait and editorial photography. Surprising to me, I have abandoned and sold my zoom lenses, not to mention a collection of camera gear including my 'Blads, a 4x5 field camera, and a hideously vast colleciton of Nikon gear. Despite my aging knees, I am enjoying shooting with a small collection of prime lenses for my Fujifilm X-Pro 2: 16mm (24mm full-frame), 23mm (35mm FF) and 35mm (52mm FF). For a car trip, I take the kit. If I am flying to a location, I take the 23mm. It is just one of the most versatile lenses I have ever owned. And now that I no longer shoot professionally, the joy of using my legs to "zoom" in and out of a shot reminds me of my earliest days before getting paid to shoot. And, frankly, shooting with primes dovetails with Cartier-Bresson's "decisive moment" description of his best shots. Without a zoom lens, I am once again shooting instinctively, and I love it.
I could not have put this better myself ‐ thank you!😊 One of my favourite "grabs" was a panned shot of a motorcycle at Matlock. I was sitting on the pavement eating fish and chips. A chap kick started his Classic bike (Suzuki GT750 for those who know it). I pulled my X-E1 out of my pocket, shrugged at the 27mm lens and took a series of shots with the old X-E1 chugging away at 3fps. Back home, chosing the best compostion from about 6 jpgs, I had to crop significantly due to the distance. Despite only 12MP it still produced a fantastic image once changed to B&W. I've often thought how I'd have missed that entirely if I'd had to change lenses (or bodies) 😊
@@PhilipBallGarry the fuji 23 and 27mm are both so good for this kind of accidental scene, imo. My walking around setup is solely the 27 these days, just for compactness, but I really love how sharp it is -- cropping aggressively is absolutely a valid strategy. I dragged my 55-200 with me (after second-guessing myself) on an international trip recently and most days it stayed in the hotel room, although I admit it got me a couple of my favorites from the trip. But for the vast majority of the time, I was very happy zooming with my feet on just one prime, and I'm glad I did it that way.
Great post! I have a very similar setup and like you love it for being so straightforward. You focus on what shots you want to take rather than what lens to change to.
i love that James shoots with one camera and one lens because experience taught him so, and I shoot with one camera and one lens cause i'm broke (and because they're more than good enough)
I've been a landscape photographer for 40 years and a professor of Photography for most of those. I find your videos consistently helpful and rewarding, particularly around the use of space, letting the picture flow out to the horizon. Hard to do as it seems most want to fill the space with content. Many thanks
If I may expand on my earlier comment, on a recent road trip, I decided to shoot with the 23mm (35mm ff) lens for my Fujifilm X-Pro2. Over the course of a 7 hour drive home, I shot some of my favorite photos of the past two years. I took the same setup on a trip to Southern California and reveled in the results. One-lens travel has me hooked. And, at 80, keeping it simple has been marvelous retro experience recalling my early days without any zoom lenses.More than 50 years ago, I shot with a Nikon Photomic FTN with a few primes: a 20mm, a 55Micro Nikkor, and a 105mm. I used that system for more than 35 years before I had to shift to auto-focus gear to resolve a vision problem.
I love this attitude - there will always be another great shot that will fit the equipment you have. It's enabled me to go out with just one M4/3 prime lens and be relaxed that I will still find something great. My back is also thrilled by this discovery
100% agree. I did the same transformation some years ago. currently I owe zwo prime lenses (28+75) but very often I take just one of them with me. Something I want to add to your video: If you are shooting just with one lens, for example 28mm, you automatically get the 28mm-view in your mind which makes you find a lot more appropriate subjects with no distraction from telephoto-shots!
Finding those other shots that work with the focal length you're carrying - yes, thats why we're there. In addition though, you can also grab a low res version of that tele shot you wanted. Its there at the centre of the throw-away shot you took with your 50mm. Crop in to find it. If you still think it’s a keeper, keep that postage stamp as a reminder for when you go back to that location with the bigger bag and bigger lens - assuming that MPB doesn't have it yet. Graet video - thanks again for the ongoing inspiration.
The best video of the year from the many professional photographers I watch on You Tube. I am over 80 and cannot carry all the lenses etc I have. I now have a compact 24mm to 75mm camera and use it for everything. This has given me so much confidence that I am not missing out because of lack of equipment. Thank you.
So true words. I literally sold all my photo gear, bought one used Leica film body, one 50mm lens (to keep the gear lightweight) and never have been happier than now. Thank you for sharing this!
In '71 I bought a Konica Autoreflex T. One body, one lens. The stories of our lives were recorded through that one set up. I think I felt close to what you're feeling. I picked up THE camera... off we went. Kathy says that now I spend more time deciding what camera to carry than I do deciding what to wear.
Part of the story is: through impecable composition you make these scenes work. Bravo! Another style may require other gear, but definitely not taking 5 lenses, 10 filters, etc...
I’ve been following you for a long time. I hated how you used to constantly photoshop the crap out of your photos. They would be perfect but lack any feelings. I love that you start to see that now. Love the new work.
Absolutely agree, over the last year I've also trimmed down to 28, 35 and 50mm lenses. I mostly shoot with the 35mm so I could trim down more. I do feel a greater sense if freedom when I only use the lens on the camera. Plus it helps me connect more with the scene rather than snapping and moving on.
You never dissappoint James. I too feel the same way about carrying around all the heavy equipment. I recently traveled to Italy and brought 1 lens (24-70) and was perfectly fine with that.
A well considered video, many great points, one of which stands out, is what you call the not removing the imperfections. That’s what I enjoy about photography, the natural state, representing with I have seen, imperfections and all, it’s an honesty. The other and key point, if not on an assignment, reducing the kit we lug around, that’s such a valid point. What that has done for me, has improved, in my view, the quality of my composition. I’ve also taken it a step further, going with the ‘prime of the week’ approach, one prime lens, for a week, and that’s it.
Hey James. As someone who constantly is thinking about gear and not so much about going out this is refreshing. After a day I always tell myself, it should have been the other way round. Photography is a hobby and for some of us even work. Isn't it strange that we are always stress ourselves out with choices to make only to think we will always miss a shot? I've grown to love your style of photography and all the imperfections that come with it.
Totally agree with the idea of finding shots with the lens you're carrying. I started shooting with a 14mm (on APSC) because I didn't know any better and people online loved the lens. That is literally the only lens I had for 6 months or so. Turns out, I found plenty to shoot, no matter where I went. No really knowing was I was missing was freedom. Of course, then I went through the gear collection phase. Now I'm back to one camera, one lens 95% of the time.
Hi James, I'm not sure if you read comments, but I hope you stumble across this one. I ended up on your channel when your video about "The Only True Focal Length" was suggested to me on my home page. I'd never been a photographer before then and I'm certainly not one now, but I clicked anyway. The softness, clarity, and warmth with which you spoke while standing on that hill waiting for the sheep to move (excellent audio mastering btw), made me feel so calm and happy, and it was genuinely one of my favourite watches on this website. I've since been watching a lot of your videos and even picked up an OLD Canon EOS 1100D to learn photography myself, because your content made it look so warm and welcoming. I just wanted you to know, what you do is great, your photos are stunning, and your content is special. Keep going please!
You really have knocked it out the park this year on some of those shots, the style is very distinctive and I just can’t get my head round how you spot some of the compositions, many very Edward Hopper- ish. If I work on sense of space, imperfections and blue and orange for 2025, I suspect I’ll just end up with way more imperfection!
Your comment on leaving the "imperfections" really resonated with me. We have several pros in the family and we were all coaching a younger brother (who is developing an interest in photography) over the holidays and as we critiqued the newbie's progress, I found myself more and more in conflict with my more experienced brother who was less likely to let extraneous items go without an edit or a fix. I have started feeling over the years that sanitizing the life out of a photo was not the way to go, and that I was rather enjoying the intrusions and felt they were adding to the authenticity of the moment and were often elements that increased the visual interest and kept them honest somehow. It took that back and forth between my brothers to see that my little brother's work was spontaneous and true and he was doing naturally what I had to relearn... he wasn't influenced by all the niggling and nit-picking over details that used to bother me and so many other photographers and I'm glad it was made obvious to me by the critique sessions. My newbie bro might just be better at this photography thing than his seemingly more on the ball siblings.
Really interesting and thought provoking . Some great photography . You like the feeling of space . Looking at the majority of your work shown here , I have to say that I could feel and breath in the fresh air coming off them . Thank you for sharing .
I learned a very similar lesson this year. I have been doing daily photography for two years now. I recently got myself a little Lumix with a 50mm lens, and I am in LOVE with it. It's just my little daily shooter. I ditched the big bad. Absolutely changed the game
I did that a few years back , the only time I carry more is if I'm doing a longer trip , driving far and staying overnight, but generally even then I still only get out of the car with one camera , if I'm going into to Melbourne to do some street it only one camera one lens. Love the sence of space ans scale in your shots
Again, well said. Also, simply knowing *(really knowing)* one's focal length. I work in music and the options for generating and processing music have never been crazier. Strength in limitations.
I remember back in the early 1970's having a lot of fun shooting with the fixed 45mm lens on a Yashica GTN. Controls were rudimentary and you had to alter the ISO to fool the exposure meter. A 28-48mm stayed on my Olympus most of the time too. I only got tempted into using telephotos for receding planes to give genuine depth. Even now with an APSC sensor it is an 18-135 that stays most of the time on the camera, and I still like using the old 45mm equivalent. Blue and Orange, yes that is a good style. Some of the winter light on the Cornish coast has a lot of yellow in it now I think about it.
The rest is history is a great podcast! And just having one camera and one lens is the best. I have slimmed down my setup this year and it’s been good.
Thank you for taking photos that are "real". I think including what is actually there, such as tire marks, "messy foregrounds", stuff that is naturally lying there gives the viewer more to consider when looking at a picture. We can't always edit unpleasantness out of our life and neither should we of our photos.
It is interesting that some of your favorite photos were ones you were not sure about in previous videos. That's why I don't delete older photos. I find that photos I previously was unsure of, I find I like later on.
I just got Human Nature for Christmas and my name is in it! Merry Christmas to you, thank you for your content, your honesty, your insights. Discovered you just this year and since gained more confidence in my photography(-decisions). So greetings from Germany and happy holidays to you and your family :) 🎄
💯 agree and I’m in the process of cutting down on gear bloat now. The one thing you said that really stuck out to me was the idea that the first shot you see may require a different focal length but if you keep searching, you can find alternatives.
This makes so much sense. I so need to get back to watching your channel I think I’m going to be having a binge watch due to RUclips algorithm 🙏👍 Happy New Year 🎉
Hi James, I don't often place any comments but let me say this... I come to like your channel a lot because of your unpretentious but, at the same time very entertaining presentation. Well, all of this is obviously based on your high grade of photographic expertise, talent and knowledge which you are never rubbing on anybodies nose 😂 No, seriously, keep up the good work and I wish you all the best for the holiday season and the year 2025! And, be aware... this is coming from a photographer who still finds some bits to learn from you, respect! 🎉😊🍾🥂
Thanks James. This year I sold all of my gear except my R6 gen. 1 and RF15-35mm lens. I have thought about replacing it with the 24-70mm as none of my favourite shots are between 15-20mm. I used to have about 10 lenses, carried a huge backpack and I didn't even open it on my trips. Expensive lesson learned. FOMO ain't getting me any longer! Happy new year.
Love this message. I firmly believe that limitation forces depth in your abilities. I'm a professional musician and I can relate to how this applies to music gear. Having less makes you dive deeper into what you have, which will inspire more growth. Happy New Year, James!
On the same journey. Minimize my gear that I carry. I’ve enjoyed looking at my photos taken this year to better understand my own style and favorite focal lengths.
I’m not sure how you came up in my RUclips algorithm but I’m glad you did. Currently in the process of downsizing from 11 to 4 lenses due to many of the factors you talked about. It will be interesting to see if I can go further!!
Excellent video James, exactly what I did when I sold my Sony a7 bodies and lenses and switched to Leica Q3. I too realised the liberation that less gear brings and would offer this as the best advice too. Loved many of your images this year James as other years. My fav from those you showed on this video was the first of the yellow buses and snow in New York, loved this image when you first showed it❤
I have drawers full of gear but I am currently on holiday and have taken a Pentax Kp with the da21 and da70 limiteds. 3 days into my 13 away and the 21 is the only lens used so far. If I don’t want to carry the kp then I use a canon s110
I’ve used Lightroom to search look at how many images I’ve shot at each focal length. It’s a good start, although you do then need to look at the images themselves to see which were your best ones. Personally, I love one lens photography. You learn to filter out shots requiring other focal lengths and you also learn to pre-visualise the shot without getting the camera out. You do get a better affinity with that one lens like knowing it’s strengths and weaknesses. And it’s so liberating, lightweight and quick to be a one lens sort of photographer.
One of your best videos this year IMO. At the start of the year I streamlined because of you and got a sling bag and decided to use only 2 lenses (24mm and 50mm) for the whole year. It was a fun and interesting experiment so in 2025 I will pick just one lens and see what happens. Looking forward to what you will bring out in 2025.
A while back while on vacation I ended up being with a group of people in Mexico who gather to see the arrival of a migratory bird. Tons of people with the highest end telephoto lenses. I only had a leica Q with me so obviously I wasn’t prepared for wildlife shots. Everyone was very concerned with getting the best shots, but my pictures were distributed much more because I chose to shoot the excitement of this event and not the bird itself. You work with what you have and you’ll find something that captures your eye!
11 years ago i bought a fuji x100s when my son was born. That was probably the best decision for myself to help me get better. For a whole year i shot 100% of my personal and 40% of my clients with that camera. Then it turned into 75% of my work woth the 35mm focal length. Its my favorite thing now. I have been considering purchasing the 16-55 and just leaving that on my camera. I think this video sealed that idea.
Well timed video. Short backstory: for years I worked as an industrial/technical/scientific for a large multinational. We were well supplied for gear. However, for my own work, I favored an old Rolleiflex 2.8. Fast forward to now, I’ve long since moved on to another career, and I’ve been gearing up in anticipation of lots of free time to go back to photography for my own enjoyment. In the past few years, I’ve suffered from that same syndrome you describe so well. Lately, I’ve forced myself into just carrying my FF with a 40mm or my MFT with a 20mm. It’s been liberating. I still rue not having at times, the perfect kit, but, I look around and then resume seeing with what I have in my hand. Thanks for the video, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone in these traps we set for ourselves.
Bags of indecision, never a truer word said. Bought an X100 years ago, instantly fell in love, since then almost all my favourite images have been taken with an X100, all the variants, they just get better and better and all my other kit, got sold.
Yes, all this makes sense. And I often think, as many of us probably do, about getting rid of all that heavy gear... But getting back to your examples, how would you, for example, compress the perspective without a telephoto?.. Many landscape photos will suffer from not been able to do this.
Turned off RIH podcast to watch your video and got to hear you say you were a RIHP fan too. Lovely. And what a good video it was. Happy New Year, James!
Thank you for some great insights, which I found affirming of my own evolution lately. Particularly your comments about authenticity, but also your approach to a scene that requires a lens you did not bring, verses "choice paralysis". Taoism. Another terrific video!
For Christmas I went back to my family in south East France. For this trip, I opted for a light setup oriented toward family picture usually low light. So I tick with me my fastest lens theSony 85mm 1.8 and my Sigma 12-24mm. On one occasion, we went on a walk on an island and I decided to only take with me the 85mm as a challenge. I struggled initially but after a few shots, I had a kind of mind shift and I managed to become more creative. I was able to capture pictures I am happy with. So yes I can relate to what you were saying in the video !
One way that I've found that helps me sort of slim down my kit when I go out shooting is to narrow it down "slowly" and by that I mean, if you carry 4-5 lenses typically, on your next outings for say a month, only carry 3 or 4 (take one out) and repeat this over several weeks or months, and eventually you will get down t oa core of 1 or 2 lenses (primes or zooms) that you feel comfortable with. Of course when I travel, I still bring a decent array of lenses, but I make it a point to only carry maybe 1 or 2 for the day, depending on my most likely activities (ie. if I"m doing landscapes, or if I'm walking through a city -- if I"m walking through a city, I may just bring something like a 40mm prime on a body and no bag).
Great topic. I've been putting a lot of thought into this lately, what my bare minimum setup could (should?) be. I find that having too many choices "stalls" me a lot, when putting together my bag for the day. I use 2 of my 7 lenses easily 90% of the time - my 24-120 4, and my 70-200 2.8. My primes see limited use - 105 macro, 50 1.8, 35 1.8, 20 1.8. Now my 26 2.8 pancake I do use a lot, as it's become my ultra light / compact setup, almost always paired with my Nikon Zf. As a hypothetical, if I HAD to choose say, 3 to keep, without overthinking - it would have to be the 20, 24-120, and 70-200. With a very close decision between the 20 and the 105 macro. If it came down to 1? The 24-120 does most of my heavy-lifting for sure - it's amazingly sharp throughout the range, has a handy function button, and it's extremely versatile, including its closeup capabilities. 2 bodies are a minimum for me although I rarely carry both, unless I'm covering an unrepeatable event. My latest pair is the Nikon Zf, and the Z6III with the vertical grip.
I agree with minimizing gear. In the days when I couldn't afford much gear, using only one lens and one camera body was the norm, but I really new the constraints, strengths and weaknesses of that combo, and that helped me produce better images. +1 for "The Rest is History", one of my favorite podcasts as well.
Well in the hubbub of the holidays I missed your trip to the slate mines and comments on the Nothern lights. So this will be a twofer. When I was a boy in the 50’s in Michigan and before light pollution ruined things I could see the milky way in all its splendor and when the Nothern lights came down from the arctic we would stand in the back yard and watch the show. The interesting thing is that the air would hum and crackle as the lights danced across the sky. You are right I have never seen a photo that captures what the northern lights are. Your channel is one of the few that is thought provoking and helps me think about my approach to photography. Today’s video is no exception as you explain your rationale for leaving in perceived imperfections in your photos and your choosing a lens that fits your world viewpoint. I find the world visually chaotic and prefer to use longer lens which I now understand matches how I navigate the world. Thanks and have a happy New Year.
This is so true. I used to carry a rucksack full of gear, now most of the time I go out with one camera body and one lens attached to it and a spare battery in my pocket - the results speak for themselves, it forces you to look for opportunities rather than deciding which opportunities will present themselves with the gear that's in your rucksack. I still keep some lenses for example my super long telephoto purely because when I want to go and take photos of animals that's the lens that I'll take, however I also make use of a 23 mm on my Fuji for a compact high quality go anywhere camera. The amount of posing that happens within the photography community about the gear that people have the lenses that people have the tripods etc is absolutely insane, we've probably all been guilty of it at some point but I've come to realise that it's about the process of taking the photos and also if you enjoy working with others the community and the conversations are far more powerful than the amount of high cost lenses that are in your backpack
If I can only have one camera and one lens then the Leica Q2 probably the best camera that I preferred . Light , compact , manual / auto focus , macro , fast 28mm 1.7 summilux probably the best 28mm glass of all glass produce in any brand , fantastic Monochrom mode , good lowlight , good street photography…. and can be crop to many focal length 35, 50 , 75, 90 … Best travel camera hand out .
My Sony lens of choice is the Zeiss 24-70mm F4. very similar to your 24-50mm. I just love the size and weight. Even the 20-70mm is just that much too large.
I think the creation of space that you mention many times as a common theme within your images is helped by the lightness of the skies typically within your images; the space that the image is given includes that where the image 'bleeds' out of the frame. If the skies were darker or taken down in post then it would be like putting a lid on a box.
Being 80 years old weight was one of my problems carrying around heave FF camera and lenses So I ditched the lot and went down the M43 route. However I am also into using a camcorder and have done for the past 13 years. My current one is the Panasonic HC-X1500 pro camcorder. What many don't realise is that one has far more choice, by extracting a frame from the video. By going into the thumbnail playback within the camcorder menu I can go slowly or view frame by frame and grab a still from a frame in that clip. this way no need to worry if being close of far away to get the shot. no need for ND filters they are built in. this is now my go to first for outdoor work and the Pana G9ii for indoors and outside
I am an amateur. My go to lens for sunny areas is a 18-135mm on a crop sensor which gets all the botanical, scenic and people shots I need plus some animal shots. My (small) backup is for low light, usually a 28 mm IS. If I know I am going to a foggy area I may bring 50 or 85 mm 1.8 instead. I no longer carry a bag full of lenses. When I go on a car trip and don't plan on walking far from the car I may bring a spare body and lens that usually don't get used.
Hi James, thanks for another year of interesting videos. I too strive for imperfection, which i find incredibly simple to achieve. Others call it garbage.
This was so useful and valuable, James. Like you, I used to carry 20kg of gear, and it often produced nothing but indecision. After watching this, I immediately removed one lens from my bag. I’m now down to a pair of zooms and a wide. Wish I could drop one more lens. Maybe I can… All the best to you for 2025, and thanks for your generous content all year. 👍🦘
50+ years ago when I was starting off with my little retina iia range finder, all I wanted was an SLR. Then when I had my spotmatic F, all I wanted was a 135 Portrait lens to complement my 50 mm 1.4. Fast forward a few years and all I wanted was a canon Elan with auto focus capabilities, and more lenses. Now I have a couple of Canon Rs and a ton of lenses, a couple of which I have not touched in three years. I also own a couple of G7 Xs and an Olympus TG6 for underwater photography and I’m on my fourth GoPro. It turns out that I’m happiest carrying around one canon and one lens (50 1.2) or a G7 in my pocket. Back to basics. For vlogging, a G7x mark iii on a small Tripod and a remote microphone does the trick. Nice and simple. Great video, James! Oh, and PS, I also picked up a K 1000 a couple of years ago and I’m enjoying getting back into film. But I only take this camera out all by itself with its 50 mm lens. And I never think, as I did in the olden days, I wish I had more lenses..
I love forum discussions on dpreview and other places about what kit for travel. The list usually includes multiple bodies and always includes a telephoto zoom. I have taken many trips with just an x100 or a Ricoh GR, or a Powershot G16 or a 5D and with a 28mm and 50mm lens. I adapt to the gear I have by seeing only in that focal length and ignoring potential shots I can't take. Sure, occaisional regret here and there. But there are plenty of shots you can take with whatever you have. You only need to look. Enjoy traveling light!
I'm in the same boat now, but in a different way. I sold my 24-70 to get some primes instead. Now I have a 14 GM, 20 G, 35 GM and 85 DG DN. It's a rewarding experience, especially carrying any of them for a days worth of shooting. I'm still thinking about getting a 24-50 G or the 24-70 II. Such a versatile lens type. Pair it with a wide like the 14 GM and 90% of city photography needs are covered. I also own a 200-600, but that one only comes out on special occasions (wildlife, or planned shots)
My FOMO is too ingrained it seems. Every time I try to go out with less, I long for my backpack of indecision. It was terrific to revisit some of those images. Happy new year! Thank you for another year of adventures and advice! Oh yeah, as with imperfections in images, a wrinkle or two on a jumper is authentic and nothing to be self-conscious about to this viewer's eyes.
Great video as per usual, I totally agree with you on the need to reduce gear. I went from carrying a bag with at least 3 lenses to 2 lens only for the past year. I'm not ready to go to one yet, but will do soon.
Fine advice. I don't much suffer from the analysis paralysis, but instead I find that I just often can't be bothered to take the 15kg backpack off to swap a lens, so usually the stuff in my 15kg backpack is merely along for the ride and doesn't even get used. Travel Lighter might just be my motto for the new year as well! All the best to you and yours in 2025, James--keep up the great work!
At 80, I am retired from my work in portrait and editorial photography. Surprising to me, I have abandoned and sold my zoom lenses, not to mention a collection of camera gear including my 'Blads, a 4x5 field camera, and a hideously vast colleciton of Nikon gear. Despite my aging knees, I am enjoying shooting with a small collection of prime lenses for my Fujifilm X-Pro 2: 16mm (24mm full-frame), 23mm (35mm FF) and 35mm (52mm FF). For a car trip, I take the kit. If I am flying to a location, I take the 23mm. It is just one of the most versatile lenses I have ever owned. And now that I no longer shoot professionally, the joy of using my legs to "zoom" in and out of a shot reminds me of my earliest days before getting paid to shoot. And, frankly, shooting with primes dovetails with Cartier-Bresson's "decisive moment" description of his best shots. Without a zoom lens, I am once again shooting instinctively, and I love it.
I could not have put this better myself ‐ thank you!😊
One of my favourite "grabs" was a panned shot of a motorcycle at Matlock. I was sitting on the pavement eating fish and chips. A chap kick started his Classic bike (Suzuki GT750 for those who know it). I pulled my X-E1 out of my pocket, shrugged at the 27mm lens and took a series of shots with the old X-E1 chugging away at 3fps. Back home, chosing the best compostion from about 6 jpgs, I had to crop significantly due to the distance. Despite only 12MP it still produced a fantastic image once changed to B&W. I've often thought how I'd have missed that entirely if I'd had to change lenses (or bodies) 😊
@@PhilipBallGarry the fuji 23 and 27mm are both so good for this kind of accidental scene, imo. My walking around setup is solely the 27 these days, just for compactness, but I really love how sharp it is -- cropping aggressively is absolutely a valid strategy. I dragged my 55-200 with me (after second-guessing myself) on an international trip recently and most days it stayed in the hotel room, although I admit it got me a couple of my favorites from the trip. But for the vast majority of the time, I was very happy zooming with my feet on just one prime, and I'm glad I did it that way.
Great post! I have a very similar setup and like you love it for being so straightforward. You focus on what shots you want to take rather than what lens to change to.
@@PhilipBallGarryGT750, that is the 3 pot 2 stroke rocket ?
i love that James shoots with one camera and one lens because experience taught him so, and I shoot with one camera and one lens cause i'm broke (and because they're more than good enough)
Close enough 😅
I've been a landscape photographer for 40 years and a professor of Photography for most of those. I find your videos consistently helpful and rewarding, particularly around the use of space, letting the picture flow out to the horizon. Hard to do as it seems most want to fill the space with content. Many thanks
The New York school bus image is my favorite of yours and hangs over my couch.
A few people thought it was a painting 🖌️🎨
Best compliment for an image
It's the orange pylon bases for me, but I don't have a print. That's the image that made me fall in love with his style.
If I may expand on my earlier comment, on a recent road trip, I decided to shoot with the 23mm (35mm ff) lens for my Fujifilm X-Pro2. Over the course of a 7 hour drive home, I shot some of my favorite photos of the past two years. I took the same setup on a trip to Southern California and reveled in the results. One-lens travel has me hooked. And, at 80, keeping it simple has been marvelous retro experience recalling my early days without any zoom lenses.More than 50 years ago, I shot with a Nikon Photomic FTN with a few primes: a 20mm, a 55Micro Nikkor, and a 105mm. I used that system for more than 35 years before I had to shift to auto-focus gear to resolve a vision problem.
Just received “Human Nature” for my birthday. Beautiful book and beautiful packaging. Thanks James! Keep being awesome
I love this attitude - there will always be another great shot that will fit the equipment you have. It's enabled me to go out with just one M4/3 prime lens and be relaxed that I will still find something great. My back is also thrilled by this discovery
5:20 “Because they don’t listen to their eyes wants” -James Popsys
That’s a great of a quote
The lighthouse with the horses is so good. This is a great video.
100% agree. I did the same transformation some years ago. currently I owe zwo prime lenses (28+75) but very often I take just one of them with me. Something I want to add to your video: If you are shooting just with one lens, for example 28mm, you automatically get the 28mm-view in your mind which makes you find a lot more appropriate subjects with no distraction from telephoto-shots!
The creases in your clothing reflect what your eyes want in your photos, imperfection. It's perfect.
Finding those other shots that work with the focal length you're carrying - yes, thats why we're there.
In addition though, you can also grab a low res version of that tele shot you wanted. Its there at the centre of the throw-away shot you took with your 50mm. Crop in to find it. If you still think it’s a keeper, keep that postage stamp as a reminder for when you go back to that location with the bigger bag and bigger lens - assuming that MPB doesn't have it yet.
Graet video - thanks again for the ongoing inspiration.
The best video of the year from the many professional photographers I watch on You Tube. I am over 80 and cannot carry all the lenses etc I have. I now have a compact 24mm to 75mm camera and use it for everything. This has given me so much confidence that I am not missing out because of lack of equipment. Thank you.
So true words. I literally sold all my photo gear, bought one used Leica film body, one 50mm lens (to keep the gear lightweight) and never have been happier than now. Thank you for sharing this!
In '71 I bought a Konica Autoreflex T. One body, one lens. The stories of our lives were recorded through that one set up. I think I felt close to what you're feeling. I picked up THE camera... off we went. Kathy says that now I spend more time deciding what camera to carry than I do deciding what to wear.
Part of the story is: through impecable composition you make these scenes work. Bravo! Another style may require other gear, but definitely not taking 5 lenses, 10 filters, etc...
I’ve been following you for a long time. I hated how you used to constantly photoshop the crap out of your photos. They would be perfect but lack any feelings. I love that you start to see that now. Love the new work.
Absolutely agree, over the last year I've also trimmed down to 28, 35 and 50mm lenses. I mostly shoot with the 35mm so I could trim down more. I do feel a greater sense if freedom when I only use the lens on the camera. Plus it helps me connect more with the scene rather than snapping and moving on.
You never dissappoint James. I too feel the same way about carrying around all the heavy equipment. I recently traveled to Italy and brought 1 lens (24-70) and was perfectly fine with that.
A well considered video, many great points, one of which stands out, is what you call the not removing the imperfections. That’s what I enjoy about photography, the natural state, representing with I have seen, imperfections and all, it’s an honesty.
The other and key point, if not on an assignment, reducing the kit we lug around, that’s such a valid point. What that has done for me, has improved, in my view, the quality of my composition. I’ve also taken it a step further, going with the ‘prime of the week’ approach, one prime lens, for a week, and that’s it.
Hey James. As someone who constantly is thinking about gear and not so much about going out this is refreshing. After a day I always tell myself, it should have been the other way round. Photography is a hobby and for some of us even work. Isn't it strange that we are always stress ourselves out with choices to make only to think we will always miss a shot? I've grown to love your style of photography and all the imperfections that come with it.
Happy New Year to you James and all others❤❤
You have made some insanely stunning pictures this year. I can't stop staring at them!
Totally agree man, I think one lens frees the mind a little and forces you to just find a frame that works. Happy Holidays & New Year!
Totally agree with the idea of finding shots with the lens you're carrying.
I started shooting with a 14mm (on APSC) because I didn't know any better and people online loved the lens. That is literally the only lens I had for 6 months or so. Turns out, I found plenty to shoot, no matter where I went. No really knowing was I was missing was freedom.
Of course, then I went through the gear collection phase. Now I'm back to one camera, one lens 95% of the time.
Great work! Your landscape photography is a standout.
Hi James, I'm not sure if you read comments, but I hope you stumble across this one.
I ended up on your channel when your video about "The Only True Focal Length" was suggested to me on my home page. I'd never been a photographer before then and I'm certainly not one now, but I clicked anyway.
The softness, clarity, and warmth with which you spoke while standing on that hill waiting for the sheep to move (excellent audio mastering btw), made me feel so calm and happy, and it was genuinely one of my favourite watches on this website. I've since been watching a lot of your videos and even picked up an OLD Canon EOS 1100D to learn photography myself, because your content made it look so warm and welcoming.
I just wanted you to know, what you do is great, your photos are stunning, and your content is special. Keep going please!
Thank you! ❤️
You really have knocked it out the park this year on some of those shots, the style is very distinctive and I just can’t get my head round how you spot some of the compositions, many very Edward Hopper- ish. If I work on sense of space, imperfections and blue and orange for 2025, I suspect I’ll just end up with way more imperfection!
You deserve MPB sponsor your videos. I first heard about MPB from you and have
been their happy customer ever since. Thanks for the tips James !
James, thank you for the year. Your confused look, coupled with amazing images have been a big help to me this year at the times when I struggled.
Your comment on leaving the "imperfections" really resonated with me. We have several pros in the family and we were all coaching a younger brother (who is developing an interest in photography) over the holidays and as we critiqued the newbie's progress, I found myself more and more in conflict with my more experienced brother who was less likely to let extraneous items go without an edit or a fix. I have started feeling over the years that sanitizing the life out of a photo was not the way to go, and that I was rather enjoying the intrusions and felt they were adding to the authenticity of the moment and were often elements that increased the visual interest and kept them honest somehow. It took that back and forth between my brothers to see that my little brother's work was spontaneous and true and he was doing naturally what I had to relearn... he wasn't influenced by all the niggling and nit-picking over details that used to bother me and so many other photographers and I'm glad it was made obvious to me by the critique sessions. My newbie bro might just be better at this photography thing than his seemingly more on the ball siblings.
Great video with lots of sensible and useful advice. Thank you
Really interesting and thought provoking . Some great photography . You like the feeling of space . Looking at the majority of your work shown here , I have to say that I could feel and breath in the fresh air coming off them . Thank you for sharing .
I learned a very similar lesson this year. I have been doing daily photography for two years now. I recently got myself a little Lumix with a 50mm lens, and I am in LOVE with it. It's just my little daily shooter. I ditched the big bad. Absolutely changed the game
I did that a few years back , the only time I carry more is if I'm doing a longer trip , driving far and staying overnight, but generally even then I still only get out of the car with one camera , if I'm going into to Melbourne to do some street it only one camera one lens. Love the sence of space ans scale in your shots
Again, well said. Also, simply knowing *(really knowing)* one's focal length. I work in music and the options for generating and processing music have never been crazier. Strength in limitations.
Great images this year, absolutely unique style throughout.
I remember back in the early 1970's having a lot of fun shooting with the fixed 45mm lens on a Yashica GTN. Controls were rudimentary and you had to alter the ISO to fool the exposure meter. A 28-48mm stayed on my Olympus most of the time too. I only got tempted into using telephotos for receding planes to give genuine depth. Even now with an APSC sensor it is an 18-135 that stays most of the time on the camera, and I still like using the old 45mm equivalent. Blue and Orange, yes that is a good style. Some of the winter light on the Cornish coast has a lot of yellow in it now I think about it.
The rest is history is a great podcast! And just having one camera and one lens is the best. I have slimmed down my setup this year and it’s been good.
Thank you for taking photos that are "real". I think including what is actually there, such as tire marks, "messy foregrounds", stuff that is naturally lying there gives the viewer more to consider when looking at a picture. We can't always edit unpleasantness out of our life and neither should we of our photos.
It is interesting that some of your favorite photos were ones you were not sure about in previous videos. That's why I don't delete older photos. I find that photos I previously was unsure of, I find I like later on.
Thanks so much, James!
I just got Human Nature for Christmas and my name is in it! Merry Christmas to you, thank you for your content, your honesty, your insights. Discovered you just this year and since gained more confidence in my photography(-decisions). So greetings from Germany and happy holidays to you and your family :) 🎄
💯 agree and I’m in the process of cutting down on gear bloat now. The one thing you said that really stuck out to me was the idea that the first shot you see may require a different focal length but if you keep searching, you can find alternatives.
This makes so much sense. I so need to get back to watching your channel I think I’m going to be having a binge watch due to RUclips algorithm 🙏👍 Happy New Year 🎉
Hi James, I don't often place any comments but let me say this... I come to like your channel a lot because of your unpretentious but, at the same time very entertaining presentation. Well, all of this is obviously based on your high grade of photographic expertise, talent and knowledge which you are never rubbing on anybodies nose 😂 No, seriously, keep up the good work and I wish you all the best for the holiday season and the year 2025! And, be aware... this is coming from a photographer who still finds some bits to learn from you, respect! 🎉😊🍾🥂
Thanks James. This year I sold all of my gear except my R6 gen. 1 and RF15-35mm lens. I have thought about replacing it with the 24-70mm as none of my favourite shots are between 15-20mm. I used to have about 10 lenses, carried a huge backpack and I didn't even open it on my trips. Expensive lesson learned. FOMO ain't getting me any longer! Happy new year.
Merry Christmas young man! And many thanks for all the informative, wry and cheerful videos.
Great stuff as usual. I couldn't help but notice (one you have pointed it out) the blue and orange theme in your studio.
Love this message. I firmly believe that limitation forces depth in your abilities. I'm a professional musician and I can relate to how this applies to music gear. Having less makes you dive deeper into what you have, which will inspire more growth. Happy New Year, James!
Doesn't make sense.
On the same journey. Minimize my gear that I carry. I’ve enjoyed looking at my photos taken this year to better understand my own style and favorite focal lengths.
I’m not sure how you came up in my RUclips algorithm but I’m glad you did. Currently in the process of downsizing from 11 to 4 lenses due to many of the factors you talked about. It will be interesting to see if I can go further!!
Love the feeling of fresh air and space in your pictures and the tyremarks are part of the story, those busses didn’t drop from the sky.
Excellent video James, exactly what I did when I sold my Sony a7 bodies and lenses and switched to Leica Q3. I too realised the liberation that less gear brings and would offer this as the best advice too. Loved many of your images this year James as other years. My fav from those you showed on this video was the first of the yellow buses and snow in New York, loved this image when you first showed it❤
I have drawers full of gear but I am currently on holiday and have taken a Pentax Kp with the da21 and da70 limiteds. 3 days into my 13 away and the 21 is the only lens used so far. If I don’t want to carry the kp then I use a canon s110
I’ve used Lightroom to search look at how many images I’ve shot at each focal length. It’s a good start, although you do then need to look at the images themselves to see which were your best ones. Personally, I love one lens photography. You learn to filter out shots requiring other focal lengths and you also learn to pre-visualise the shot without getting the camera out. You do get a better affinity with that one lens like knowing it’s strengths and weaknesses. And it’s so liberating, lightweight and quick to be a one lens sort of photographer.
One of your best videos this year IMO. At the start of the year I streamlined because of you and got a sling bag and decided to use only 2 lenses (24mm and 50mm) for the whole year. It was a fun and interesting experiment so in 2025 I will pick just one lens and see what happens. Looking forward to what you will bring out in 2025.
A while back while on vacation I ended up being with a group of people in Mexico who gather to see the arrival of a migratory bird. Tons of people with the highest end telephoto lenses. I only had a leica Q with me so obviously I wasn’t prepared for wildlife shots.
Everyone was very concerned with getting the best shots, but my pictures were distributed much more because I chose to shoot the excitement of this event and not the bird itself. You work with what you have and you’ll find something that captures your eye!
11 years ago i bought a fuji x100s when my son was born. That was probably the best decision for myself to help me get better. For a whole year i shot 100% of my personal and 40% of my clients with that camera. Then it turned into 75% of my work woth the 35mm focal length. Its my favorite thing now.
I have been considering purchasing the 16-55 and just leaving that on my camera. I think this video sealed that idea.
Well timed video. Short backstory: for years I worked as an industrial/technical/scientific for a large multinational. We were well supplied for gear. However, for my own work, I favored an old Rolleiflex 2.8.
Fast forward to now, I’ve long since moved on to another career, and I’ve been gearing up in anticipation of lots of free time to go back to photography for my own enjoyment.
In the past few years, I’ve suffered from that same syndrome you describe so well. Lately, I’ve forced myself into just carrying my FF with a 40mm or my MFT with a 20mm.
It’s been liberating. I still rue not having at times, the perfect kit, but, I look around and then resume seeing with what I have in my hand.
Thanks for the video, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone in these traps we set for ourselves.
Bags of indecision, never a truer word said. Bought an X100 years ago, instantly fell in love, since then almost all my favourite images have been taken with an X100, all the variants, they just get better and better and all my other kit, got sold.
Yes, all this makes sense. And I often think, as many of us probably do, about getting rid of all that heavy gear...
But getting back to your examples, how would you, for example, compress the perspective without a telephoto?.. Many landscape photos will suffer from not been able to do this.
Turned off RIH podcast to watch your video and got to hear you say you were a RIHP fan too. Lovely. And what a good video it was. Happy New Year, James!
Very cool lead-in to MPB. Thanks for all these ideas.
Great video, James! 🙂 Happy New Year to you!
Paul 😎
Thank you for some great insights, which I found affirming of my own evolution lately. Particularly your comments about authenticity, but also your approach to a scene that requires a lens you did not bring, verses "choice paralysis". Taoism. Another terrific video!
For Christmas I went back to my family in south East France. For this trip, I opted for a light setup oriented toward family picture usually low light. So I tick with me my fastest lens theSony 85mm 1.8 and my Sigma 12-24mm. On one occasion, we went on a walk on an island and I decided to only take with me the 85mm as a challenge. I struggled initially but after a few shots, I had a kind of mind shift and I managed to become more creative. I was able to capture pictures I am happy with. So yes I can relate to what you were saying in the video !
I'm a hobbyist so no pressure, most often recently I go out with just a 70-300 adapted to my a7r2 - its great!
Your book arrived in the mail today. Thanks for the kind words too. Cheers, Tobias
Your office is Blue & Orange too, something subconscious going on there, great year of videos Popsy, Thank you.
One way that I've found that helps me sort of slim down my kit when I go out shooting is to narrow it down "slowly" and by that I mean, if you carry 4-5 lenses typically, on your next outings for say a month, only carry 3 or 4 (take one out) and repeat this over several weeks or months, and eventually you will get down t oa core of 1 or 2 lenses (primes or zooms) that you feel comfortable with. Of course when I travel, I still bring a decent array of lenses, but I make it a point to only carry maybe 1 or 2 for the day, depending on my most likely activities (ie. if I"m doing landscapes, or if I'm walking through a city -- if I"m walking through a city, I may just bring something like a 40mm prime on a body and no bag).
Great topic. I've been putting a lot of thought into this lately, what my bare minimum setup could (should?) be. I find that having too many choices "stalls" me a lot, when putting together my bag for the day. I use 2 of my 7 lenses easily 90% of the time - my 24-120 4, and my 70-200 2.8. My primes see limited use - 105 macro, 50 1.8, 35 1.8, 20 1.8. Now my 26 2.8 pancake I do use a lot, as it's become my ultra light / compact setup, almost always paired with my Nikon Zf.
As a hypothetical, if I HAD to choose say, 3 to keep, without overthinking - it would have to be the 20, 24-120, and 70-200. With a very close decision between the 20 and the 105 macro. If it came down to 1? The 24-120 does most of my heavy-lifting for sure - it's amazingly sharp throughout the range, has a handy function button, and it's extremely versatile, including its closeup capabilities.
2 bodies are a minimum for me although I rarely carry both, unless I'm covering an unrepeatable event. My latest pair is the Nikon Zf, and the Z6III with the vertical grip.
What a great video to end the year! Best wishes, James!
I agree with minimizing gear. In the days when I couldn't afford much gear, using only one lens and one camera body was the norm, but I really new the constraints, strengths and weaknesses of that combo, and that helped me produce better images.
+1 for "The Rest is History", one of my favorite podcasts as well.
Love it. Sometimes I go out with just one camera one lens and that is a good challenge. Other times will have a backpack full of stuff I 'may need'
Well in the hubbub of the holidays I missed your trip to the slate mines and comments on the Nothern lights. So this will be a twofer.
When I was a boy in the 50’s in Michigan and before light pollution ruined things I could see the milky way in all its splendor and when the Nothern lights came down from the arctic we would stand in the back yard and watch the show. The interesting thing is that the air would hum and crackle as the lights danced across the sky. You are right I have never seen a photo that captures what the northern lights are.
Your channel is one of the few that is thought provoking and helps me think about my approach to photography. Today’s video is no exception as you explain your rationale for leaving in perceived imperfections in your photos and your choosing a lens that fits your world viewpoint. I find the world visually chaotic and prefer to use longer lens which I now understand matches how I navigate the world. Thanks and have a happy New Year.
This is so true. I used to carry a rucksack full of gear, now most of the time I go out with one camera body and one lens attached to it and a spare battery in my pocket - the results speak for themselves, it forces you to look for opportunities rather than deciding which opportunities will present themselves with the gear that's in your rucksack. I still keep some lenses for example my super long telephoto purely because when I want to go and take photos of animals that's the lens that I'll take, however I also make use of a 23 mm on my Fuji for a compact high quality go anywhere camera.
The amount of posing that happens within the photography community about the gear that people have the lenses that people have the tripods etc is absolutely insane, we've probably all been guilty of it at some point but I've come to realise that it's about the process of taking the photos and also if you enjoy working with others the community and the conversations are far more powerful than the amount of high cost lenses that are in your backpack
If I can only have one camera and one lens then the Leica Q2 probably the best camera that I preferred . Light , compact , manual / auto focus , macro , fast 28mm 1.7 summilux probably the best 28mm glass of all glass produce in any brand , fantastic Monochrom mode , good lowlight , good street photography…. and can be crop to many focal length 35, 50 , 75, 90 … Best travel camera hand out .
My Sony lens of choice is the Zeiss 24-70mm F4. very similar to your 24-50mm. I just love the size and weight. Even the 20-70mm is just that much too large.
I think the creation of space that you mention many times as a common theme within your images is helped by the lightness of the skies typically within your images; the space that the image is given includes that where the image 'bleeds' out of the frame. If the skies were darker or taken down in post then it would be like putting a lid on a box.
Being 80 years old weight was one of my problems carrying around heave FF camera and lenses So I ditched the lot and went down the M43 route. However I am also into using a camcorder and have done for the past 13 years. My current one is the Panasonic HC-X1500 pro camcorder. What many don't realise is that one has far more choice, by extracting a frame from the video. By going into the thumbnail playback within the camcorder menu I can go slowly or view frame by frame and grab a still from a frame in that clip. this way no need to worry if being close of far away to get the shot. no need for ND filters they are built in. this is now my go to first for outdoor work and the Pana G9ii for indoors and outside
This was great James, thank you!
I am an amateur. My go to lens for sunny areas is a 18-135mm on a crop sensor which gets all the botanical, scenic and people shots I need plus some animal shots. My (small) backup is for low light, usually a 28 mm IS.
If I know I am going to a foggy area I may bring 50 or 85 mm 1.8 instead.
I no longer carry a bag full of lenses. When I go on a car trip and don't plan on walking far from the car I may bring a spare body and lens that usually don't get used.
Nice thoughtful vid thnx James
A7C and a Zeiss 55mm. All I have, can be a bit tight in some circumstances but ideal package for a lot of the time.
Stunning best of 2024 and I 100% agree. Limitation breeds creativity and Perfectly imperfect is the way.
Fantastic mate. I definitely need to watch this because I’m deep in choice paralysis right now haha
Hi James, thanks for another year of interesting videos. I too strive for imperfection, which i find incredibly simple to achieve. Others call it garbage.
This was so useful and valuable, James. Like you, I used to carry 20kg of gear, and it often produced nothing but indecision. After watching this, I immediately removed one lens from my bag. I’m now down to a pair of zooms and a wide. Wish I could drop one more lens. Maybe I can… All the best to you for 2025, and thanks for your generous content all year. 👍🦘
I agree. I've been taking less and less gear when I go out. Usually my 18-55mm, 16-55mm or 16-80mm. Oh, and I use MPB and seldom by new gear.
I love Rest is History too. Thanks for your videos.
I've said it once, I'll say it again: that photo about the cowboy and the horses from Patagonia is one of the single greatest images I've ever seen.
50+ years ago when I was starting off with my little retina iia range finder, all I wanted was an SLR. Then when I had my spotmatic F, all I wanted was a 135 Portrait lens to complement my 50 mm 1.4. Fast forward a few years and all I wanted was a canon Elan with auto focus capabilities, and more lenses. Now I have a couple of Canon Rs and a ton of lenses, a couple of which I have not touched in three years. I also own a couple of G7 Xs and an Olympus TG6 for underwater photography and I’m on my fourth GoPro. It turns out that I’m happiest carrying around one canon and one lens (50 1.2) or a G7 in my pocket. Back to basics. For vlogging, a G7x mark iii on a small Tripod and a remote microphone does the trick. Nice and simple. Great video, James! Oh, and PS, I also picked up a K 1000 a couple of years ago and I’m enjoying getting back into film. But I only take this camera out all by itself with its 50 mm lens. And I never think, as I did in the olden days, I wish I had more lenses..
Nice video James. I like your style of photography a lot of it appeals to me.
Enjoyed your video thanks for posting. Merry Christmas 🌲
Always looking forward to your vids! ❤
I love forum discussions on dpreview and other places about what kit for travel. The list usually includes multiple bodies and always includes a telephoto zoom. I have taken many trips with just an x100 or a Ricoh GR, or a Powershot G16 or a 5D and with a 28mm and 50mm lens. I adapt to the gear I have by seeing only in that focal length and ignoring potential shots I can't take. Sure, occaisional regret here and there. But there are plenty of shots you can take with whatever you have. You only need to look. Enjoy traveling light!
I'm in the same boat now, but in a different way. I sold my 24-70 to get some primes instead. Now I have a 14 GM, 20 G, 35 GM and 85 DG DN. It's a rewarding experience, especially carrying any of them for a days worth of shooting. I'm still thinking about getting a 24-50 G or the 24-70 II. Such a versatile lens type. Pair it with a wide like the 14 GM and 90% of city photography needs are covered.
I also own a 200-600, but that one only comes out on special occasions (wildlife, or planned shots)
My FOMO is too ingrained it seems. Every time I try to go out with less, I long for my backpack of indecision. It was terrific to revisit some of those images. Happy new year! Thank you for another year of adventures and advice! Oh yeah, as with imperfections in images, a wrinkle or two on a jumper is authentic and nothing to be self-conscious about to this viewer's eyes.
Great video as per usual, I totally agree with you on the need to reduce gear. I went from carrying a bag with at least 3 lenses to 2 lens only for the past year. I'm not ready to go to one yet, but will do soon.
Fine advice. I don't much suffer from the analysis paralysis, but instead I find that I just often can't be bothered to take the 15kg backpack off to swap a lens, so usually the stuff in my 15kg backpack is merely along for the ride and doesn't even get used. Travel Lighter might just be my motto for the new year as well!
All the best to you and yours in 2025, James--keep up the great work!