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Kenneth Reitz

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Essays by KR — development, music, photography, journeys, objects, & archive.

Photography: The Navigation of Choice

September 15, 2014

Photography is all about choices. 

As the photographer discovers himself, they encounter a number of polarities that they feel they must chose between. These simple decisions have a dramatic impact on the set and setting of the observer capturing the moment. 

  • Prime Lenses vs. Zoom Lenses
  • One Lens vs. Many Lenses
  • Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor
  • Autofocus vs. Manual Focus
  • Film vs. Digital
  • Color vs. Black-and-White
  • DSLR vs. Compact
  • Invest in Body vs Lens

My Path

After many years of experimentation (and thousands of dollars), I found that having a single camera with a single lens is exactly what I want and need as a photographer. 

In the past, I had an incredibly versatile Canon setup —  Canon 5D Mark II with the trifecta of L Lenses: the 35L, 50L, 85L, 135L, and 24–105L. What a dream setup, right? Wrong.

Every time I went out to shoot, or even travel, I found myself preoccupied with the current lens that I either did or did not have on my camera or on my person. I was constantly distracted with which lens I was currently using, and this lack of confidence showed in my photographs. 

Eventually, I ended up buying a Fuji x100 for travel. Much to my surprise, the elegant constraint and simplicity of of the x100, with its 35mm lens, was so freeing that I never touched my $8,000 worth of top-of-the-line Canon gear again! 

Making the Switch

Eventually, I sold it all (including the Fuji) and made the move to the Leica M System.  This was one of the boldest and best decisions I've ever made as a photographer. 

I now have a single camera and a single lens. When I go out to shoot, there's no question of "do I have the right lens with me"? I always have the perfect lens with me, because there is no choice. I always have the perfect camera, because there is no other option. 

And, because I've stuck to one focal  length for so long, my lens has become a true extension of my eye. When I look at a scene with my bare vision, I know precisely where the Leica 35mm framelines will appear once I hold the camera up to my eye. 

 

CONSTRAINTS FOSTER CREATIVITY

 

Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Singapore, Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
San Francisco, Califorinia
San Francisco, Califorinia
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland
New York City, New York
New York City, New York
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester, Virginia
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Montreal, Canada
Montreal, Canada
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland

My name is Kenneth Reitz, and I'm truly in love with my camera.

In case you missed the memo, Love is all you need. 


Want more? Check out my camera equipment and recommendations page.


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Migraines, Color Film, and San Francisco

February 18, 2014

Random thoughts on lifestyle changes, migraines, cameras, light, and travel.

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In Journeys, Objects, Photography
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Winter Solstice

December 30, 2013

A reflection of the brisk time and season.

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Beautiful Dublin

October 19, 2013

I recently returned from a trip to one of my favorite European cities — Dublin.

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Buying Your First "Real" Camera

August 29, 2013

Thoughts and recommendations on your first "real" camera.

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In Objects, Photography
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The Misunderstood Leica Monochrom

August 7, 2013

This camera is a testament to engineering, craftsmanship, and above all, beauty.

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In Objects, Photography
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Amsterdam and Groningen

May 12, 2013

Graffiti and canals.

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In Journeys, Photography
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Israel: Tel Aviv & Jerusalem

February 24, 2013

My trip to the holy land.

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Paris, AngelHack, API Days 2012

January 27, 2013

Funny how technology brings us together.

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Recent Posts

Essays
My love for the Sony RX1 [RX1RM2]
about 4 days ago
New Video Series!
about 4 weeks ago
Web Framework Classification and Clarification
about a month ago
Kenneth Reitz’s Code Style™
about a month ago

Recent Music


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