This guy Dan is like a prophet. I don't feel compelled to worship him, rather, I feel empowered and edified. In a time where we are swamped in so much bullshit, listening to Dan Milnor is like pure nutrition. Thanks for sharing this, Marc.

Watching this for the second time after 3 years... There is no truer advice for successful photography project planning. Thanks Daniel you are the true pro!

I really enjoyed Dan's perspective and recognition of the effortless joy of shooting with a single camera and lens. I just recently returned to shooting 1 camera 1 lens for my docu work with the fixed lens X100V and it's been such a treat. I feel like I'm back to my roots of playful exploration of the world around me. My work has never been stronger than it is now. Of course, Dan also nails it when he says it's pretty impossible to make money without the multitasking model, which is a real shame, but that's just how the world is now. No one wants artful, considered documentary work taken over the course of weeks spent living with your subjects, they want burst mode shots uploaded 2 hours after it was taken.

As a person who finds it hard to choose what type of tea to drink in the morning, my amount of cameras and lenses expanded much over the years, so that I could cover all bases for when the occasional photo job came up. As Dan mentioned in a previous video, it pays a toll on your back to carry all that around. Now my setup is 1 small film camera with 35 (occasionally 50) and a pocket digital with a 28. One on a strap, the other in my pocket. I enjoy photography much more with these limitations and my back thanks me too. Im now working on a personal project that I’ll eventually print using Blurb next year, just using that setup. Thank you for your videos, I’m always inspired by them and they help me keep focused on taking photos and worrying less about what gear to take them with.

When I traveled abroad with a ton of gear, I was miserable and my work suffered. Taking minimal gear made my creative passion come alive.

True words. My paid work at the weekend was stills, video, sound recorder, and it was fine. But a 50 and a notebook is best.

I only know two versions of Daniel Milnor: With and without the shades :)

Hah - I was waiting for him to spring the drone on us! I tried the vlog thing once… forget it. No KZfaq subscriber is worth me sacrificing the moment.

I enjoyed watching this video, with a reminder to heed: that keeping things simple may be the best thing for one's own photography. Thank you, Daniel and Marc.

This is spot on. I want to do it more and I’m happiest when focused on images.

Dan makes a great point about carrying as little gear as possible! I am new to the Leica family and have invested in a Leica Q! I really enjoy the experience of shooting with it! I recently took a workshop and was very excited as it extended my knowledge of the camera and some things to consider when shooting. It also allowed me to do some research during the workshop which led to me purchasing some books as well! Looking forward to learning and producing a magazine, photo book and a field guide!!! 😎

I am glad this video dropped into my lap today. My take is focus so thank you. I wish you well

Agree with absolutely everything you have to say about keeping it simple.

I agree with Dan, I enjoy photography almost for myself exclusively, not sharing much on social media…. I just bought a Nikon zfc (the camera I was waiting for years…) with a 50 equivalent lens and will only take that with me and a notebook

The more you have the less you do. Focus on one thing. That’s what I’m trying to do xt2 with an 18-55mm and my trusty x100f . Amazing video!

This is brilliant hearing stuff like this funny hearing the stress in a way.

I love to hear Dan and his stories, very inspiring

This has def been my experience as a newer photographer. Theres so many avenues that I havent really jumped into one and my creative has suffered because of dabbling.

Love these insights from Dan. I'm hoping to get back into the bush for a solo tramp sometime soon. This after believing it was never going to be possible for some years due to health reasons. I've been thinking of recording the journey but it means taking more gear, more batteries, sound, video, possibly a drone, and undoubtedly a degradation of the experience I seek. I'm now thinking video prologue, epilogue and just the camera and note book into the bush. Thanks guys, awesome insights again 👍🙏

But a good and fun piece!

Thanks for Sharing!

Taking your advice. Fuji xt1 and looking for a 50mm manual focus lens... is your 50mm the mitakon 50mm f.95?

great stuff as always guys ... lot to be said about less is more .. so much easier carrying round my Fuji xt2 with 50 equiv against my canon 5d3 system (which i still love and use btw) ..

Amen. I’m back to shooting film most of the time.

Amazing...

this was b r i l l i a n t. 5 versions of mindset.

I ordered a Fujifilm X-T200 for my girls as Xmas gift, and plan to put a 35 mm on it.

Interesting insight. He sounds frustrated by the situation for sure. I must say there's a lot to be said for the 1st version. I went out shooting at the weekend with two friends shooting large format. I just had the camera and one standard lens. And I got so much great content. I developed the film and scanned it same day, and wrote my blog article the following day. Version 1 wins, but then I'm not a commercial photographer. I guess v5 of Dan shows the reality of working as a photographer commercially, full time, for a company.

The example applies to all aspects of all lives. Know what represents your best self and never loose sight of it. It's usually simple, and will take purposeful commitment to keep that way. I'll recommend this video to fifty people in the next three days.

Don ´t know if its just me, but the link to Davids work is not working....

Any idea what lens that is on the camera he’s holding?

Spot on I use a 50 and one body

I feel worn out, just watching that, great content Marc

So - drones- I can help a bit here - IF you are nervous about flying your expensive drone, I HIGHLY recommend spending like $40-50 on a cheap indoor toy version OR if you have a PC or Xbox, try the virtual option w/The DRL Simulator ($20) - it is a sure fire way to get familiar with basic flight controls and will make your flight time with your expensive drone a much, much less stressful ordeal.

What 50mm(35mm) is that on the Fuji? Doesn't look like one of the Fuji 50s(35)

He speaks the truth

Daniel is so right. Combining all the elements is just too much. I stick to photography aa a main. Filming as a curiosity. I always travel or walk around with the DJI Osmo Pocket gimbal and a. FUJIFILM X-E1 with the 15-45mm kitlens. That is it and it works wonders. My drone I sold off, video making with a film camera, way too complicated. Editing takes time and skill i found out. Which I enjoy. All the other stuff just distracts from what you want to do as a photogrpahy enthusiastic

Someone got to do a behind the scenes sessions of Dan. :) Wish it be me but it is near-impossible thing.

You love it, hearing yourself talking, can we see some pictures?

Exactly

What about one prime vs one zoom?

Does he mean 50mm lens or 50mm equivalent, asking as he's shooting Fuji like me. I tend to just carry my M6 with one 35mm lens or my XT2 and 23mm f2. I'm not a fan of changing lenses and carrying too much gear... I used to carry everything in my large backpack but just causes shoulder pain, can't be bothered anymore.

He’s like the Robin Williams of photography... His thought process is on Hyper Drive... 🤙

My new guru!! Good bye KZfaq...!!I'm gonna shoot for one month 😘 #offline

Dan Milnor Version 6: Hires an assistant or crew.

Whew. That's all I got. Whew.

External reward. You don't need that shit. Let your life be something between you and you

What, no lighting gear?

Dude, you gotta decide what you really want to do and focus on that vision. HCB was able to do books with mostly a 50mil and a body. Ok, he may have used a 90 and a 35 occasionally but majority of his memorable shots were with the 50. You yourself have done something close to this when you were traveling the world with 2 Leicas.

What I'm wondering is: why carry around a notebook when all modern phones can take notes very quickly and easily?

If the greatest photo in the world is about to unfold in front of me, I think, and I have one camera and two lenses, unknown focal lengths, which should I use to record a moment that is about to immortalise me? Possibly, maybe? Anyway best thing to do to help your photo art ( yeah right :/ ) listen to Captain Beefheart, have a shot, and take a shot, from your armchair ! And then draw the aftermath. Zing zang Ok?

Why the hell wouldn’t you use a GoPro to vlog?

Yeah, when you carry all that equipment with you at once you can not focus. You will very much become the Jack of all trades but master of none.

Lose the shades. At best distracting. At worst pretentious. :-)

The solution is getting a Canon R5 with the ability to hit the “Rate” button and record your thoughts with the click of a button.

...and this is where the "be more than a photographer" approach can go all of the way wrong.

He seems to be nauseatingly full of himself.