For many, photography starts as mastering camera settings, but true artistry emerges when the technical becomes second nature and creativity takes over.
Coming to you from Craig Roberts with e6 Vlogs, this insightful video highlights Roberts’ journey from seeing himself purely as a photographer—someone focused heavily on gear, techniques, and rules—to identifying as an artist whose camera is merely an extension of his creative vision. Roberts emphasizes that mastering aperture, shutter speed, and composition is essential but cautions against letting the pursuit of perfection and equipment overshadow genuine creativity. He shares his realization that the most meaningful photographs are those that resonate emotionally, not necessarily the sharpest or most technically perfect. Roberts also candidly discusses his decision to shift back to medium format film, illustrating how tools evolve to match the creative intent rather than popularity or trends.
Roberts further challenges common photography habits, like obsessively watching gear reviews and lens comparisons, that distract from developing personal vision. He argues convincingly that real growth occurs not through imitation or gear obsession but by making mistakes and embracing experimentation. This approach, Roberts explains, is how you cultivate uniqueness, develop your own style, and ultimately set your work apart. The video encourages you to reflect honestly about whether your habits enhance your artistic growth or trap you in technical perfectionism.
Roberts’ perspective invites contemplation about your own photographic approach. Do you chase gear upgrades, or are you using the camera already in your hand to explore and express your unique perspective? He provocatively suggests abandoning some traditional accessories that might restrict spontaneity. Roberts doesn't dismiss these tools entirely but stresses choosing equipment deliberately to suit your creative intentions. The key takeaway is that creativity thrives when technicalities fade into the background, allowing intuition and imagination to lead. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Roberts.
In the film era technical care and repeatable accuracy of exposure was more important. That's how I taught myself and it lead to a job in technical photography. When I did get a chance to do "art" that was fun, but always getting the shot was crucial to my professional photo era.