I'm going to share various stories about photography and cameras, but let's start with how I got into photography. This information might not be particularly useful, but if you are reading this, it means we have a special connection in this vast world (it's a "one in several billion" possibility). So, please bear with me for a moment.
It was about eight years after I graduated from university and started working for a regular company. At that time, cinematic video works using the video shooting function of the Canon 5D Mark II were popular. I had long realized that a lifetime of working for a company wasn't for me, and when I saw this trend, I thought, "This is it."
My First Gear
I had no knowledge of cameras, but I immersed myself in magazines and online information, and without hesitation, I went to a camera store and bought the gear I needed for professional use.
Now, these are "nostalgic gear," but let me list the camera and lenses I bought back then:
- EOS 5D Mark III
- EF 16-35mm F2.8L II
- EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM
- ZEISS Planar T * 1.4/50
The 5D Mark III doesn't support log shooting, and it can't shoot in 4K, so it's difficult to use it as a professional video camera now. As for the lenses, it's my personal preference, but the EF 16-35mm F2.8L II may not be considered high-performing today. On the other hand, I think the EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM and ZEISS Planar T * 1.4/50 still have excellent image quality and can be used effectively.
Discovering Street Photography
After acquiring the camera and lenses, I started taking street snapshots to get used to the gear. Although I was planning to use it for professional video work (mainly bridal shooting), I thought I should first get used to the operation by taking photos, which are easier to shoot and require no editing.
It might sound a bit pretentious, but I'll say it anyway: when I started taking photos on the street, I immediately thought, "I've found a hobby that will last a lifetime." From that day on, I visited various towns and took snapshots every chance I got. Initially, I barely understood the basics like focal length, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. But as I grasped these concepts and got used to the operations, taking photos became increasingly enjoyable.
Wrapping Up
So, that's roughly how I got started with photography. What began as a means to start a new job eventually became a passion for photography itself. I will share more about my encounters with "street photography" and my professional photography and video work in future blog posts.
How did you get started or become passionate about photography?