allynfolksjr wrote:
Do you consider acquiring more gear as the best way to improve your photography skills?
It's a common misconception but no! In this case, I've always wanted to play with light more in my star photos ever since I used a lantern in December 2016.
And it reappeared in other star photos, although not executed very well:
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I felt that having a light brought a focus to the scene. I took this photo with no light and, to me, it just doesn't have the same strength as the other three.
When it came to buying a flash, it came down to necessity over anything. A lantern or flashlight would have been just as great but not as versatile. I've already used the flash for a wedding and portraits, something that a lantern or flashlight just wouldn't have been good for.
The flash is a lot stronger and more evenly distributed than something like a flashlight. I'm looking forward to using the flash as a strobe to put multiple Alex's in the scene, and using it to light up the foreground better than a flashlight ever could.
My next purchase will definitely be a lens. I've shot all my star photos with my cheap 14mm f/2.8 but I'm challenging myself to use my 28-105 f/4. The star photo in my post above was shot at 24mm and I really like it; it's not as tight as I was afraid it'd be. Debating between purchasing a 20mm f/1.4 or a better 14mm prime. Hopefully I'll have a decision by the end of December. I really want the 14mm but I gotta convince myself the increased cost is worth the 6mm.
I certainly don't buy gear because I think it'll help me improve my photos, I buy gear because it'll help me get the photos I want. I didn't go buy a flash because I wanted to try it, I bought a flash because I liked my photos that incorporated a strong light source in them and decided to pursue that more aggressively. Also the fact that my camera doesn't have a flash built-in was another major factor in this decision too.