In today’s issue:
Focusing on process over results
Feeling one thing while the metrics say another
Why I like the a6400 vs. the uber-ubiquitous X100V
Another free mood board
A song I’ve been listening to nonstop:
📸everyday carry digital cameras
Real quick today: I thought it might be useful for me to hit my top 3 most-used “everyday carry” digital cameras that I take with me, and when. You can buy each of them new or used, should be pretty easy to find.
The Sony A6400: It’s older, released back in 2019, there have been a couple of newer models (currently they’re on the a6700) and you can find it with kit lens for about $1000 - here’s a link.
How/when I use it: This, like every camera I’ll talk today, is rarely, if ever getting use on portraits or commercial campaigns. It’s hanging around on my shoulder when I’m on the road, traveling somewhere new, occasionally going out with friends, etc.
Positives: Crisp images, solid autofocus, has a built-in flash that’s good enough for taking pictures of your friends in dark rooms, and perhaps its best feature - speed. Fast to turn on, fast to wake from sleep, fast to focus, fast to shoot. I don’t worry about missing moments with this thing.
Downsides: Still uses the small batteries that die quickly, which I think they fixed in newer models (but those don’t have a flash built in). I haven’t really found the one lens that properly balances coat-pocket packability, crispness, and an aperture that gets wide enough (ie f/2.8 or wider).
Fujifilm X100V: Quite popular, hard to find for awhile, and I get it. It’s a beautiful camera. I like traveling with it. Prices vary wildly given they’re always supply constrained, at time of writing I see new ones for $1700-2000.
How/when I use it: Often used as a travel camera if I want to shoot digital and spend a little more time composing images.
Positives: Beautiful pictures. Crisp focus. Super packable. Looks cool, has two color options (the black is far superior to the silver). Flash works just fine.
Downsides: Either you like Fuji or you don’t. I don’t know anyone who’s in the middle on this brand. For me, I just don’t enjoy using it. Two reasons: Ergonomics and speed. I find the buttons and dials cumbersome and I find it to overall be a slower-than-I’d-like camera - slower to focus, slower to boot up, and slower for me to get my settings right. That may be because I just don’t have the muscle memory. But ultimately, when I use it, I often think to myself, “wish it was a Sony.” And for that reason, despite the hype, it’ll never be my number one.
iPhone (whatever model you have): Chase Jarvis once wrote a book about iPhone photography called The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You. It’s no longer in print to my knowledge but used copies are out there. It’s wonderful, it reminds you to just use what you’ve got, and it also shows you how far iPhones have come.
How/when I use it: Constantly. My battery is in terrible shape. I’m actually writing this from the patio of the Apple Store while it’s getting replaced.
Positives: Crazy packable, always on you, it’s readily connected to the cloud, often crisp images, night mode is a miracle.
Downsides: Sometimes results in overprocessed pictures that feel a little artificial. There’s a lot of software in that little rectangle that’s cooking your photos. Doesn’t always get the richness a proper camera would. Tends to overexpose a bit if you don’t fiddle with it. You know how it is to take a picture on an iPhone, I don’t need to explain it to you.
To me, I think what matters is:
Nearly every camera can capture something beautiful.
Every single camera is imperfect. None of ‘em are good at 100% of things 100% of the time. What you carry, inherently, is an exercise in tradeoff management.
If you choose to take a massive zoom lens on a trip, you’re more likely to get beautiful pictures of birds, but you’re carrying a huge zoom lens that’s a hassle to pack. You’re choosing power over mobility.
If you walk out the door with a film point and shoot, you’re more likely to get rich, beautiful film tones. But you won’t see your photos until they’re developed, and you’ll never know 100% whether you shot it the way you wanted to shoot it, and you’ll pay the premium to get said film developed. You’re choosing beauty over precision.
If you pull your iPhone out of your pocket to shoot pictures from the top of the hike, you didn’t have to pack anything special, you just did what you’d normally do. But the photo may not fully capture the majesty of the moment. You’re choosing simplicity over image quality.
None of these are bad choices, they’re just choices.
Hope that was useful - if you like this or want to see more stuff like this, feel free to reply.
Next week, we’ll do something totally different. TBD what that is.
📊PART THREE: TRACKING MY PROGRESS
📡 Fig. 1: Captain’s Log
Spent most of the week in Las Vegas for a tradeshow. I’m back in Seattle now, enjoying the crisp air, blitzing through edits on a slow weekend. Will have more to write next week.
🎬 fig. 2: this week’s videos & some learnings
Another five videos this week, feeling good about the rhythm. My hope is to stay in this Mon-Fri publishing schedule for the foreseeable future. 7 a week is hard, but for now, I’m doing ok with this.
2025 #41: Lighting Tutorial #23 IG | TT
2025 #42: Reconning Vogue Japan IG | TT
2025 #43: Art Direction - Zoe Saldana/Bazaar IG | TT
2025 #44: Compliment Attack #16 IG | TT
2025 #45: Departed/Creative Friends IG | TT
Rather than break a few of these down, let’s address in aggregate:
First order of business: It’s been ages since I’ve hit one out of the park. That 10K+ views threshold is harder to come by than ever, even for my trustiest formats. Follower growth is slow. The numbers just aren’t great. I had this exact same thing happen in September.
And I’m not worried about it. I feel a newfound level of chill - where does this come from? When one doesn’t hit, it’s not really bothering me that much. I’m checking videos less throughout the day, I’m feeling more detached from the results than ever. Maybe that’s just the result of getting experience, I’m at ~150 videos since last July.
I think I know why: I’m having more fun making them. I don’t know if you can see it, but in these two, I think they’re two of my best examples yet of really letting my flag fly. I watched a YouTube video from this guy here he said part of his approach to video is being 110% of his normal self, almost like turning what makes him him up to 11. So when you see me do something weird, say something stupid, test a format I’ve never put out there, I feel a little bit like a scientist in a lab having the time of my life, one chemistry experiment at a time.
What it means for you: I don’t know if this message lands for anyone, but I thought I’d share. I think good things happen when you keep putting in the reps. So I hope it helps somebody.
Brick by brick.
📈fig. 5: audience growth
Instagram: 14,581 followers, +165 (+1%) vs. last post, +42% YTD
TikTok: 1,527 followers, +50 (+3%) vs. last post, +26% YTD
Newsletter: 1,725 subscribers, +50 (+3%) vs. last post, +72% YTD
YouTube: 46 subscribers, +3, (+7%) vs. last post
Threads: 737 followers, +9 (+1%) vs. last post
1:1 calls seem like they’re helping people. Link to sign up below. Here’s a testimonial:
“My recent call with Garrett was a game-changer for my creative journey. His thoughtful questions and unique perspective turned our conversation into an inspiring and eye-opening experience. Garret’s outlook on the industry, paired with his impressive work, and work ethic, truly motivated me to push my creative boundaries going forward. “
- Geoff
📍Free mood board #16, place beyond the pines + streetwear: LINK (and here’s a link to all free boards)
🆓Five free Lightroom presets: LINK
🛠️All the cameras + flashes I use: LINK
Everybody have a good rest of your weekend,
Garrett
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