How My Camera Choice shapes my Photography
- 12 January 2026 | News
Two Cameras, Two Creative Mindsets
I strongly believe that my photography is deeply influenced by the type of camera I use. Camera choice is not only a technical decision, but a creative one — it defines rhythm, perspective, and the way I interact with the scene.
In my work, I move between two very different photographic approaches, each serving a distinct purpose in my practice: commercial lifestyle photography and fine art, architectural, and tableau vivant photography.
Commercial Lifestyle Photography — Immersed in the Action
For my commercial lifestyle photoshoots, I work handheld with a Nikon D850 DSLR. This allows me to physically dive into the action, moving alongside my subjects as they perform. My point of view becomes that of someone inside the scene — present, close, and almost invisible — observing moments as they naturally unfold.
The process is fast and instinctive:
I grab the camera
Choose the lens
Set the aperture, usually between f/2.8 and f/4
Adjust the light if needed
Shoot in bursts to capture fleeting expressions and moments of tension
Later, I carefully select the frames that best convey authenticity, emotion, and narrative intensity.
This approach is fluid, reactive, and human — ideal for lifestyle storytelling where spontaneity is essential.
Technical Camera Photography — A Painter’s Approach
My creative ritual changes radically when I switch to my technical camera, a Cambo WRS5000 paired with Rodenstock lenses and a medium format Phase One IQ3 100MP or IQ4 150MP digital back.This camera system recalls the discipline of traditional view camera photography. Without bellows but requiring precision, it demands a slower, more deliberate workflow:
The camera is mounted on a tripod
The lens is carefully selected and leveled
A precise point of view is chosen
The scene is constructed rather than followed
After assessing the light, I close the shutter, charge the Copal shutter, and expose each frame one by one. Every photograph is intentional.
From Observation to Contemplation
This slower, more controlled process is much closer to a painter’s approach. The resulting images feel stable, tranquil, and contemplative — like observing a scene through a window rather than stepping into it.
I use this method for:
Artistic tableau vivants
Dramatic narrative scenes
Architectural photography
Landscape photography
Each image is carefully composed, balanced, and built with time and attention.
Technology in Service of Vision
For me, technology is never the goal — it is a tool that serves intention.
Whether I am moving quickly through a lifestyle shoot or constructing a still, meditative scene with a technical camera, the choice of equipment directly shapes the emotional language of the final image.
