Tools That Serve the Work
What does a photographer truly need?
What tools shape how we see, frame, and share the world?
When does a tool amplify meaning, and when does it simply add noise?
In a time when photographers have access to an endless range of gear, accessories, and software, choosing simplicity becomes an intentional act. It is about using what serves the image and supports the task.
For most projects, the Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless or Canon EOS 5DS R paired with my favourite Canon EF 70–300mm f/4–5.6L IS USM lens forms the foundation of my practice. I love using telephoto lenses for landscape work: they let me scan the distance for intriguing compositions far away and create a more close-knit, compressed feel. It’s also easier to eliminate unnecessary elements from the frame than using a wide lens.
My most important tool in the outdoors is not a camera or lens—it is bad weather. Rain, fog, snow, and mist flatten the light, reduce visual noise, and create the soft, muted atmosphere I seek. Harsh conditions strip away distractions and invite a kind of intimacy between the camera and the environment.
In the studio, I keep the setup just as simple. A one-light setup with Profoto is usually enough. Baking or silk paper can serve as a backdrop, a blurred foreground, or a subtle reflector—light, flexible materials that shape mood without overpowering the image.
For special effects, both indoors and outdoors, I turn to Lensbaby Omni filters. These cast soft, shimmering overlays that help break the “perfection” of digital clarity, introducing chance and layered abstraction, transforming a technically clean scene into something more mysterious.
Lensbaby Omni filter set
The equipment, camera, lens and filter remain simple. I bring along what I can handle without difficulty. When a project demands additional resources, I depend on what I have on hand. However, I still don’t aim to wow others with intricate technology. The primary focus is always to enhance the atmosphere rather than embellish it. The conceptual always leads. The tools only matter insofar as they help hold the mood.
If this reflection resonates with you, I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments or sign up for the newsletter to receive quiet notes on photography, curated reading lists, and new work each month.
