The Best Camera Is the One You’re Holding: Why Gear Isn’t Everything in Photography
Have you ever felt stuck trying to figure out which camera is "the best"? The one with the best specs, the best price, the best everything?
I’ve been there too.
But after more than 20 years as a photographer, I’ve realized that the “perfect” camera doesn’t exist. And chasing it rarely leads to better photos.
When I started shooting in the early 2000s, pro gear was a luxury. Smartphones were still basic, and DSLRs were out of reach. So I bought what I could: a plastic film camera, the Vivitar PN2011. It had a panoramic feature, felt like a toy, and cost me $10. And yet, it became my favorite camera. I used expired film, tested everything, and wrote notes about each roll like a scientist.
That Vivitar came with me everywhere — even to São Paulo Fashion Week. People looked at it and laughed. But the freedom it gave me changed the way I see photography. I made mistakes, and sometimes those “mistakes” turned out to be the best part of the image.
Today, with phones that shoot in RAW and even have cinematic modes, anyone can start photographing. And still, the myth of the “best gear” remains. But here's the truth: the best camera is the one that’s with you — the one you feel free to use.
Photography is a journey. You grow by shooting. You improve by experimenting. As Cartier-Bresson once said, “Your first 10,000 photos are your worst.”
With today’s tools, I’d say your first 100,000 might be — and that’s a good thing.
To go along with this post, I’ve selected some photos taken with a phone — but shaped by everything I learned using analog gear and expired rolls.
It’s never just about the tool. It’s about the way you see.
