Game Changers in Photography
By Gordon Kamitomo
What are game changers in photography?
A ‘game changer’ is a “newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way.” From the photography aspect, that could mean anything from discovering a new technique to getting a new piece of gear, or even discovering a new genre that changes everything or impacts a big chunk of what you do. Let’s do a little exploring.
My Photography Journey
When I reflect back on my journey from 15+ years in 35mm film to where I am in the digital space now, there have been a few things that have moved me in a new direction and taken my photography to a higher level. These changes are beyond the normal realm of improving and are my “aha” moments where a whole new world opened up.
My specialty areas are first, macro flower photography followed by landscapes and portrait work.
Image: Gordon Kamitomo Photography
Back the 35mm film days, I started with a Kodak Instamatic. It wasn’t until I saw the difference between the Instamatic and 35mm when it hit me that I simply had to be there! My first SLR was a Pentax with the stock 50mm lens.
At the time, I worked at a camera store which I eventually bought and became the owner of. On Saturday mornings when the store opened, several keen photographers would come in to have a coffee and discuss the latest and greatest equipment while waiting to pick up processed photos from the week before. One of the photographers did close-up work and was my influence for starting macro photography. All I could afford at the time was a set of extension tubes, but I became totally fascinated. On Sundays, I would join the photographers on joint shoots and that’s when I became intrigued by landscapes.
Image: Gordon Kamitomo Photography
Photography Wide Angle Lenses
After the extension tubes, the next big game changer was the discovery of wide angle lenses. The first wide angle lenses I used was slightly larger than the stock 50mm lens – a 35mm. That got me hooked on landscapes. One of the customers of the camera store that I owned happened to be a pro photographer that specialized in weddings. He got me interested in the wedding and portrait space. When the Canon rep dropped in to the store to show off Canon’s new 24 f1.4 high speed super wide-angle lens, I switched to a Canon. Fast forward to today and I shoot with Nikons and for serious work, DSLR’s. Until recently, it was crop sensor, but now I shoot with a fill frame unit – the Nikon D610.
Image: Gordon Kamitomo Photography
There have been a couple of things that really changed how I do things. One has been moving to the Sigma 18-250 w/macro on my crop sensor cameras (Nikon D7100/D7200). That lens is actually my workhorse lens. I also wanted a super wide for landscapes and research showed that a Tamron 10-24mm was in order. With my wife working at a garden centre, I am able to take flower photos on a consistent basis, and our home is like the garden centre with a never-ending supply of subject matter!
Image: Gordon Kamitomo Photography
Photography Diffusers
Another game changer happened at an event I attended while watching a pro photographer use a diffuser for his flash that I had never seen before. It was the Gary Fong LightSphere. The game changer was the diffuser that made things so much easier! I got the D7100 body and high-speed sync completely changed how I took my flower photos and close-up work. The diffuser also opened a whole new world in portraits, that prompted me into studio strobes and more flash units. This technique advanced me even further as I now have radio triggers that support high speed sync as well as a Bare Bulb flash unit that is capable of supporting high speed sync and it allows me huge flexibility in outdoor portrait and close-up work, especially in bright sunlight type conditions with no restriction on power for strobes.
Recently, I moved into a Full Frame DSLR – the Nikon D610. This has been another game changer. I use both Crop Sensor and Full Frame depending on the requirement as I plan on moving to commercial photography from portraits, product work and large prints.
Photography Light Boxes
The last game changer is a new lightbox I had never seen before. A very portable unit with a set up time of a couple of minutes. It throws off a very even light and came with several backdrops. Not only did it solve a space problem, but has given me a whole new way to do stock photography without the hassle of external lighting. Even better is I found that I could take photos of small flowers that fit into the light box.
To me, one of the key things around advancing your photography is to consider the techniques across your genres of shooting. In many instances, you may find the new technique can be applied in other areas and your photography will improve.
Happy Shooting!