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A Lesser Photographer: Escape the Gear Trap and Focus on What Matters
Imagine creating better photographs with less. Less gear. Less anxiety. Less stress. Less fear.
A Lesser Photographer is the missing guide you've always wanted to the only gear that really the gear between your ears.
In under an hour, you’ll be able to identify the myths you’ve been taught about photography and embrace useful creative habits that will set you apart.
Praise for previous
“For something beautiful and well-said, check out A Lesser Photographer.” — David duChemin
“Amazing read…I really recommend everyone get a copy.” — Chris Marquardt
“CJ Chilvers reevaluates what it means to be a photographer in this manifesto. Most of the points apply to virtually any creative endeavor or obsession. ‘The real show is outside the viewfinder.’” — Jim Coudal
“I have to say, CJ has a great attitude. If you care at all about photography, he’s a must read.” — Patrick Rhone
“Every photographer should follow CJ Chilvers.” — Eric Kim
A Lesser Photographer is the missing guide you've always wanted to the only gear that really the gear between your ears.
In under an hour, you’ll be able to identify the myths you’ve been taught about photography and embrace useful creative habits that will set you apart.
Praise for previous
“For something beautiful and well-said, check out A Lesser Photographer.” — David duChemin
“Amazing read…I really recommend everyone get a copy.” — Chris Marquardt
“CJ Chilvers reevaluates what it means to be a photographer in this manifesto. Most of the points apply to virtually any creative endeavor or obsession. ‘The real show is outside the viewfinder.’” — Jim Coudal
“I have to say, CJ has a great attitude. If you care at all about photography, he’s a must read.” — Patrick Rhone
“Every photographer should follow CJ Chilvers.” — Eric Kim
- GenresPhotographyNonfiction
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2018
66 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 9, 2023
For every photographer
This book is not about the technical aspect of photography per se, it is about why we become photographers. It is about chasing the image. It is not about the gear it’s about what we do with it. An excellent read!
This book is not about the technical aspect of photography per se, it is about why we become photographers. It is about chasing the image. It is not about the gear it’s about what we do with it. An excellent read!
September 5, 2020
A great wake-up call
I read this in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down. It did more to help me focus on what I want from photography than all the technique and technical information I have consumed in the last year combined. Quite refreshing. Thank you from someone who was deep in the gear-hole-trap. You got my head back above ground level again and the view is much better!
I read this in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down. It did more to help me focus on what I want from photography than all the technique and technical information I have consumed in the last year combined. Quite refreshing. Thank you from someone who was deep in the gear-hole-trap. You got my head back above ground level again and the view is much better!
February 16, 2025
The message is one worth taking in; never forget why you shoot your pics, that's what's matters; the what and how will follow; on the subject be sure to check out; Think Like a Street Photographer: How to Think Like a Street Photographer and The Camera.
December 22, 2020
Short and simply profound
One of the biggest problems with books on photographing is the way they tend to entrench the reader in convention. Even when particular authors have a unique facet to their work and perspective, it seems like you are often getting just as much bad advice as you are good advice. Chilvers bucks that trend by only writing the good stuff, with sound, often anti-establishment observations that cause the reader to meditate on facts he had thought to be a given. There's no attempt to be a fully rounded photography manual, not even to exhaust the main premise of the author's photographic style, which led to the title of the book - that of using a small compact camera for all of his work. As such it's a small book, and a quick read, but the nuggets you gain can lead to interesting thought experiments, projects and jumping off points for your own writing. Recommended!
One of the biggest problems with books on photographing is the way they tend to entrench the reader in convention. Even when particular authors have a unique facet to their work and perspective, it seems like you are often getting just as much bad advice as you are good advice. Chilvers bucks that trend by only writing the good stuff, with sound, often anti-establishment observations that cause the reader to meditate on facts he had thought to be a given. There's no attempt to be a fully rounded photography manual, not even to exhaust the main premise of the author's photographic style, which led to the title of the book - that of using a small compact camera for all of his work. As such it's a small book, and a quick read, but the nuggets you gain can lead to interesting thought experiments, projects and jumping off points for your own writing. Recommended!
May 9, 2020
An interesting perspective on photography as a passion and art. CJ Chilvers discusses returning to the fundamentals of photography including focusing on what makes you happy. He stresses the importance of photographing things you love and precious moments with friends, family, and nature. I highly recommend for anyone interested in photography.
Want to read
July 5, 2020Imagine creating better photographs with less. Less gear. Less anxiety. Less stress. Less fear. A Lesser Photographer is the missing guide you've always wanted to the only gear that really matters: the gear between your ears. In under an hour, you'll be able to identify the myths you've been taught about photography and embrace useful creative habits that will set you apart.
January 1, 2020
It's Simple
There are some plain truths in this book we all need to hear. It gets boiled down to simple expectations and motivations.
There are some plain truths in this book we all need to hear. It gets boiled down to simple expectations and motivations.
May 25, 2020
Great!
I really enjoyed this short little book. No fstop, shutter speed, hyperfocal verbiage.....just what matters....you and your camera (any camera!) and a creative vision.
I really enjoyed this short little book. No fstop, shutter speed, hyperfocal verbiage.....just what matters....you and your camera (any camera!) and a creative vision.
September 29, 2020
When I first read the description of this book I thought, who is this guy and what does he know? Turns out, he knows a lot.
CJ gives us, not yet another photography book filled with technical jargon, lists, tips, and dos and don'ts. No, this book isn't a photography how-to guide. Frankly, it's more like a book on philosophy. The philosophy of photography and what makes it worth doing.
It's a short read, easily completed in a day, but I suggest that you read it again and again, and really take some time to think about what he has to say. This book is wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone who just loves to take photos.
Thanks for writing this, CJ, and for giving me a lot to think about.
CJ gives us, not yet another photography book filled with technical jargon, lists, tips, and dos and don'ts. No, this book isn't a photography how-to guide. Frankly, it's more like a book on philosophy. The philosophy of photography and what makes it worth doing.
It's a short read, easily completed in a day, but I suggest that you read it again and again, and really take some time to think about what he has to say. This book is wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone who just loves to take photos.
Thanks for writing this, CJ, and for giving me a lot to think about.
October 3, 2022
What matters
This short read will make you stop and think about your reasons for being a photographer. I got more out of this book than all the books and magazines I’ve read on photography. In many ways it returned me to my attitudes of my “photography as art” classes fifty years ago in college with my old view camera and my giant enlarger crammed in my combination bedroom/darkroom before I fell into the gear and “expert” advice rabbit hole.
This short read will make you stop and think about your reasons for being a photographer. I got more out of this book than all the books and magazines I’ve read on photography. In many ways it returned me to my attitudes of my “photography as art” classes fifty years ago in college with my old view camera and my giant enlarger crammed in my combination bedroom/darkroom before I fell into the gear and “expert” advice rabbit hole.
March 2, 2021
Chilvers makes some sound points about what really matters in photography. He is right in his assessment of what matters however, I'm not sure he needed a whole book to make the point. I found it somewhat tedious and lost interest before returning for a final skim.
April 16, 2021
Preaching to the Choir
This is a easy to read and concise book for photographers (like me) who believe "less is more".
In a genre/industry where photographers are constantly bombarded with "more", this book is a breath of fresh air!
This is a easy to read and concise book for photographers (like me) who believe "less is more".
In a genre/industry where photographers are constantly bombarded with "more", this book is a breath of fresh air!
May 22, 2023
The first book for photographer that I complete with all my time and think. Not instruction, not setting, work…just words come to words and mind to mind just let me find out why do I shoot. Just Photography!
July 4, 2021
My photography has changed forever.
Read, think, apply. I enjoyed this book very much. The book that has had the greatest influence on my photography by far.
Read, think, apply. I enjoyed this book very much. The book that has had the greatest influence on my photography by far.
October 17, 2021
Exactly what I needed to read after a weekend in which I felt that my photography was not so great.
July 2, 2023
Great insight!
June 29, 2023
I find the author's Seth Godin-like writing style rather irritating at times, and thought that the "essays" shorter than 100 words could have used more elaboration. I'm giving this 5 stars anyway because the author presents a unique POV that really resonates with me. On the internet, the loudest voices on (amateur) photography go on and on about gear acquisition, technical perfection, and monetizing your hobby. A Lesser Photographer repeatedly highlights that more gear doesn't make you a better photographer - living life fully and paying attention to your surroundings does. There's a lot of wisdom and practical advice about enjoying photography for photography's sake and the creative freedom that comes with being an amateur. I highly recommend this book to fellow hobbyists, especially those who care more about capturing a good image than acquiring gear.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews