This will be a good blog post. Sorry a little ranty but I have a point. Let's talk about those that influence us. And many people spend the time with their nose in the air spewing out a name of somebody's work that they think they understand or enjoy. I'm reminded from a series of Leica commercials I saw the other day. There is some guy walking around with a microphone in his hand talking to photographers who believe themselves something Superior, about who inspires them. And the fact that they shoot Leica therefore they're better photographers than the rest of us. I feel the same arrogance coming out of people who shoot Hasselblad.

Now in no way am I demeaning those cameras, they are excellent image Makers. But let's never forget it's the idiot 12 inches  behind the camera that matters as Ansel Adams so clearly told us.

 Sorry I didn't mean to name drop, but there are two photographers who primarily have inspired me. I do everything on my power not to shoot like them but sadly I end up in that direction. And after photographing as long as I have it seems utterly redundant to attempt to be something special. I think I'm a pretty good landscape photographer but modesty will never allow me to say that with any great enthusiasm. I think photography is far more than just a technical exercise, as so many elitists in the art world think about photography. I've had it told to me repeatedly by many gallery owners, that photography is not art! You could almost hear the the arrogance of self-aggrandizement, and class superiority. I love people that look down their nose at others…NOT.

For any reason you wish to call me a liberal woke looser. I really don't care, to me it's common human decency that dictates what's important.

So I came to this thought as I was walking back from a lovely little Lake that I just spent the last couple hours.  Not so much taking photographs as I was enjoying the silence. On my way back I saw this tree with its own little glow amongst the darkness of the forest behind it. glowing trunk - Drew May Photo 20250814 _DSF4959_-Edit-3© www.drewmayphotography.com

 I know that's an Ansel Adams photograph I've seen it before. And I was drawn to it not so much because of the Ansel Adams attribute, as much as the single tree glowing in front of me. I have said before we are all inspired by other photographers but I do my best to try to be original. I know I'll fail at it just like so many others. But I also know that I will not put such great emphasis on the gear that I'm shooting with when I'm in normal conversation. Elbow Falls ColourlessPlaying about with images once again just because, hope you like :)

All fine Art Landscape images are available as art prints in collections and as limited edition signed copies. All canvas prints are all limited edition and signed.

No modification, cropping or further editing is permitted with out with the expressed permission of Drew May Photography.

I will say the reason I picked the camera that I picked is simply because I am a landscape photographer and I wanted the best that I could afford at the time. Lets not forget being told I have cancer and it is terminal had something to do with the decision to pick a Fujifilm GFX medium format camera.  

What I've been able to achieve as many photographers will tout,  gear does not matter. Yes to a point, but here's something that I want you to think about. Gear doesn't really matter, but it does!

Let me explain, firstly you need  inspiration. For some people it isn't just the compositions or the light, that you see as you walk along. To some people including myself a camera is something that touches my soul. It's not just a tool, it's a part of me. I'm an odd fellow I name my cameras because they're part of me. I have a tendency to name inanimate objects don't ask me why it just is.

I find it so much more wonderful to grab the camera I have because I like it. I like going out with it. It's not the fastest camera in the world, it's definitely not a camera for those who want to be able to do various things and have the tool that does everything. That's not what it is to me, it excels as a landscape camera. I know I've listened to some online expert who will tell me that, either the sensors too old, or the colours are wrong, or the camera is not good for shooting landscapes it's only good for people. I have a couple of words for them but let's not express them. I'm very tired of listening to the internet experts, and the YouTube influencers, who feel that they're shaping photography. When all they're doing is going for clicks so they can earn a little extra cash.

I'm not saying that their photography is lesser than mine but I can honestly say they're not experiencing it the way I experience it. To me photography is art it comes from my soul and I'm loathed to have somebody tell me how to do it. I'm not the technical guy I'm not going to jump on a camera because it's the perfect tool. I prefer a camera with character with some “foibles” that can be frustrating at times. I like having a camera that excels as a landscape camera and little else. Sooner or later I will get myself a camera that will be that everyday carry.

 That is when my finances get to be comfortable enough for me to actually enjoy life again. What I'd actually like to see is if you are following my work is to try to understand where I come from. I will say this out loud that I don't get a tremendous amount of support from my family. They seem to think that it's just a hobby. The only one that truly understood, hold on a second the only “two”, that understood. My father I know deep down in my own heart he saw what I was and what I would become. But sadly he was taken from me when I was a young man. And I miss him dearly every single day. Any the other person without question or doubt was my mother!

 Get this I could actually show a photograph of a naked girl that I had photographed to my mother, and the old girl would look beyond the fact that it's a naked girl in the picture and look at it as a piece of art! That's a rare gift!  My mother was my greatest supporter, my greatest cheerleader! I will never regret the last 15 years that I spent with her, struggling financially and all the other attributes of poverty. I got to spend them with my mother, no actually my mom! The best time of my life I have to say was with her. She didn't judge me as some kind of a weird person. Even the burlesque girls and guys that I photographed, would get on the phone and talk with her, they loved her! I loved her too and damn do I miss her!!

I will never say that my siblings supported me any great amounts. I feel distant from them but that's family dynamics and let's not go there. My son is a lot like my father there's a quietness to him that I truly appreciate.

My greatest support comes from my friends, specific ones that I won't name because that's not proper.

 Where am I going with all this, well inspiration, gear arrogance, and self-aggrandizement. If you want to shoot with a Leica that's cool if you can afford it that's even better. But the moment you look down your nose and verbally say that you're good because of the gear you have in your hand…. Two words!!

Just shut up and shoot!

Look for light not with your eyes with your heart! (I'll explain that one soon)

Enjoy a good barbecue, the season is still on!! I hope you have a wonderful week and we'll talk next week!

Please take the time comment I'd love to have some interaction with you, it would make my day!