Photography should be fun. If you’re not enjoying the experience then it doesn’t matter what gear you have. Cheap or expensive. Old or new. You should be having fun with the process.

This video tells my story exactly. I never understood photography, then about a month ago l got into it.  l’m really enjoying the ride and learning curve. I’m retired 68 years old and now that l have the time and luv for wildlife, l wanted to pickup a Camera and gear for getting outdoors shooting birds. After searching and searching and searching for the right setup, and before my brain exploded. I eventually settled on the 11 year old APS-C Nikon 500 and Sigma 100-400 mm lens, batteries & backpack. I’d purchased everything used and stayed around 2K.  I’m so happy with this old camera which fits my photography needs perfectly.

Love your channel Cody. Happy to see you back.

Light is our medium. Use it!

This gentleman's "2 cents for the day" is one of the best advice videos/lessons in photography.

What I've learned in 50+ years of photography. Learn your camera capabilities absolutely!! Get out and take photos regularly, learn from your mistakes and finally, be hard with self criticality to develop your own style. YT is fun and entertaining, but be your own master, make decisions based on your own research.

Fantastic video. It's a mental game. The three 'P's. Personal growth. Patience. Persistence.

Thanks a lot Coddy!! I will practice with these valuable tips in mind!! 🙏🙏🙏

I'm not a photographer, but I recently got an older Canon Powershot SX120 digicam to try to get better shots at some concerts I had lined up. My iPhone just wasn't cutting it with concert lighting. I still don't know how to fully use every setting on this camera, but I had so much fun using this camera at MSG for a huge show and I captured better images than I even thought possible. What a damn joy, I'm happy I found your channel and your words in this video really resonate.

Brilliant! True wisdom!

The pros would tell you it's all about light, timing and composition, and thats true. But it's really about curiosity, exploration, love, humour. I was looking at some of Eve Arnold's work this weekend, and you know what? Some of the shots were soft, the lighting was not ideal, and as for gear, the Canon 5D is streets ahead of what she was using. But did the images make me cry, or chuckle, or wonder? To want to be in that room, looking over her shoulder? Yes, each and every one.

I agree. Taking pictures, learning from that, is the fun! I've been taking pictures for over fifty years. I've watched plenty of tutorials, tried some things, tried some other things... but I've stopped buying new gear and just use the camera I've had for quite a while now. It still works great, gives me all the options I need, and produces some amazing shots. I still enjoy learning new things when it comes to editing, but I'm comfortable with my skill level and still go out with the camera most days. I LOVE photography.

Being someone who has a well established career but recently dabbling into photography as a hobby, youre videos(even ones from years ago) have been an absolute god send. You keep things simple and make someone who doesnt have thousands of spare dollars feel encouraged to continue down the path of expressing the world through my eyes. Thanks Coda, keep up the amazing videos!

Sage advice that has given me inspiration to shoot with clearer intention.

Time is never wasted. It is called experience. What matter is image content. That one depends upon photographer and conception.

So true and so inspiring! Thank you for that!

12:56 wow that trio would look really well on a white wall of a living room.

Definitely guilty of all three! Some of my best images were shot on Canon 7 D and 6D and the photos are still hanging on my walls. One thing that made me better in landscape was to go shooting before a storm and when it breaks. Some of the most dynamic light can be captured making your favorite places magical.

Amen, brother!

Such great advice, I'm guilty of many of those bad habits.  I took my little camera with me when I left the house yesterday.  I only took 11 pictures, but a few of them I will cherish every time I see them.