I was exploring the old Valley View Center in Dallas all wrong for years

I always brought a huge backpack with a DSLR, three lenses, and a tripod, thinking I needed pro gear for good photos. Last month, a guy I met there, Mike, just had his phone and a small flashlight. His pics of the empty food court fountain were way clearer than my blurry shots. He said, 'Man, all that gear just slows you down and makes you a target.' I realized I was focusing on the equipment, not the exploration. Now I just take my phone and move quicker. What's the simplest setup you guys use for a quick trip?

3 comments

3 Comments

xena_brown501mo agoMost Upvoted

It's a common trap to overcomplicate things with gear or tools. We end up focusing on the stuff instead of the actual experience. Keeping it simple almost always works better.

henry_martinez28d ago

Man @xena_brown50 nailed it. I had a buddy who took a whole backpack of climbing gear into an abandoned building just for some photos. He tripped on a loose wire and smashed two lenses. Now he just brings his phone and a snack.

danielhenderson1mo agoMost Upvoted

I lugged a 20 pound camera bag around the Eastern State Penitentiary for a whole day once. Got home and the best shot was from my phone, taken while I was waiting in line. That Mike guy had it right, all that stuff just gets in the way. My quick trip setup is just a modern phone and a pocket sized power bank now. The freedom to just move and look is the whole point.