Don’t Get Fooled by the Camera Hype

The last 5–6 years, I’ve noticed a strange phenomenon on YouTube. Every time a new camera drops, like clockwork, 8–9 different YouTubers release their reviews at the same exact time, all telling you how amazing it is.
Sponsored, polished, “this is the one you need” kind of content.

As a viewer, I find it annoying. Not just because it feels staged, but because it creates this illusion that everyone has every camera in the world, endless bags of lenses, and unlimited sponsors throwing gear at them. And then, to top it off, comes the dreaded “What’s in my camera bag” video. Personally, I can’t stand those. It often feels less like sharing and more like bragging, showing off expensive toys most likely handed to them for free, while selling you the idea that your gear is suddenly outdated trash.

Here’s the thing: it isn’t.

I love cameras, I collect them, and I shoot with them. But I don’t make videos about them and try to enforce the idea that you need this specific one to take great photos. And for the record, every single camera I own I’ve bought with my own money. Never got one for free.

I have shot with a lot of other photographers over the last 25 years, and everyone has their own style and ways of doing things. Some have fancy gear, others don’t, and it doesn’t matter. Because in the end, the result is what counts. Photography is supposed to be fun. It’s about chasing moments, hanging out with friends, and seeing the world in your own way.

Your photos won’t magically become better because your camera has the latest firmware or a slightly sharper lens. The only thing that matters is the result, the images you make, and the joy you get from making them.

So don’t get fooled by the hype. Shoot with what you have. Make the best out of it. And remember: the camera is just the tool. You are the photographer.