Capturing Moments: My Casual Photography Journey & Tools of the Trade
abduzeedo 01/05 — 2025
Discover my casual, fun approach to photography as I share gear insights, daily photo inspiration, and practical tips—ideal for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Photography has always fascinated me, even though I’m no pro. There’s something magical about freezing a moment in time—whether it’s a gorgeous sunset, a busy street corner, or just the perfect slice of everyday life. And while smartphones do an incredible job these days (hello, AI post-processing and fancy features!), I’ve found that I don’t feel inspired by them. They make photography feel too easy, removing some of that creative spark I crave.
The Allure of Learning by Doing
When I really started diving into photography, I did what most people do: I watched countless YouTube videos on focusing, aperture, shutter speed, composition, street photography—the whole shebang. But after a while, it got overwhelming. For me, photography is a lot like cooking or design: the only way to improve is to practice, practice, and practice some more.
My Gear Evolution
Ah, camera gear—the eternal rabbit hole. Here’s how my own “camera-lust” journey panned out:
- Micro Four Thirds (MFT): This was my first serious system. Loved the compact size, but I fell for the full-frame hype (more on that next).
- Sony RX1 M2: A small but powerful, fixed-lens full-frame camera. I regret selling it; it was an absolute gem.
- Sony A7III: Beast of a camera. Sharp. Amazing autofocus. Superb in low light. It’s almost perfect…except for its size. It’s a bit too bulky for everyday carry.
- Panasonic Lumix ZX100: Tiny, with a versatile 25–200mm zoom. It’s sharp up to 70mm, then gets a bit softer—but it’s lightweight and fits in a pocket, which is priceless.
- Ricoh GRIII X HDF: A newer, fixed-focal-length temptation. It’s got a lovely 40mm focal length and a cinematic HDF filter. Perfect for street and everyday snaps, but I still find myself returning to the Lumix for its versatility.
If I could go back in time, I would have kept the MFT system and the RX1M2.
The Best Camera Is the One You Have With You
We’ve all heard this famous line, and it’s so true. No matter how fancy or capable a camera is, it’s useless if it’s collecting dust on a shelf. I love big, full-frame shooters, but their heft often keeps them at home. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for compact solutions that make me want to go out and shoot.
Finding Balance
Photography can sometimes feel like a gear-collecting hobby (guilty!). The trick is to focus on taking photos, rather than obsessing over the perfect camera. That’s why I love something like the Lumix ZX100—it gives me enough range to capture diverse scenes without making me lose the moment or second-guess my lens choice. But then again, there’s beauty in limiting yourself to a fixed focal length like 40mm on the Ricoh. It forces you to see the world more deliberately.
Let’s Shoot Together
This year, I’m challenging myself to share a photo a day on my Instagram and on Unsplash. If you’re on a similar journey—or just love scrolling through new images—come follow along! I’ll keep experimenting, learning, and snapping away, one day at a time.
Ultimately, there’s no wrong way to do photography. If you’re happiest shooting on your phone, go for it. If you’re itching to get that pro-level mirrorless camera, more power to you. All that really matters is finding joy in capturing life’s moments—big, small, and everything in between.
So here’s to getting out there, framing our shots, and sharing our unique perspectives with the world. Who’s with me?
Here are some photos from the Ricoh GRIIX HDF: