I've heard many people say, "Photography will leave you poor for three generations," but I don't agree with this statement. It's as if you can't take good photos without carrying a camera worth tens of thousands of dollars and a heavy lens on your back.

I use an old camera, which cost about $700, plus a 50mm prime lens that was $230. At first, I didn't use it much and always took photos with my phone. It was only in the past two years, when I started learning photography again, that I picked it up. With equipment worth just a few hundred dollars, I've taken tens of thousands of photos that I love and am satisfied with. So taking good photos isn't about expensive camera equipment. Then what is it about?

01 It's about passion

Passion is the starting point of all wonderful creations. When you're full of passion for taking photos, you'll be like a child who's found a treasure, with a sparkle in your eyes. This passion will make you pick up your device to take photos and record everything you see.

When you take photos with full passion, your emotions will flow through the pictures. Even with ordinary equipment, you can capture the most touching moments in life. It has nothing to do with the quality of the camera, but everything to do with how much you love the world.

02 It's about perception

We're always used to hurrying along, but we forget to look up at the clouds rolling and unfolding. Squat down to look at the dewdrops in the grass, take a photo of the bustling atmosphere in the vegetable market while shopping for groceries, capture the scene of your child playing alone in the living room after you get out of the shower...

Rather than cultivating a "photographic eye," it's more about making ourselves stop, cultivate the ability to perceive with our hearts, to discover, so that our eyes can see those beautiful things and record them.

03 It's about aesthetics

Aesthetics is the soul of photography. It determines how you choose your subjects, how you compose your shots, and how you edit them in post-processing. Good aesthetics can give photos a unique style, allowing viewers to feel your artistic taste when they see your work.

For example, when taking a set of photos of tea, if you choose a gaudy cup, no matter how you shoot, you can't capture the leisurely mood of drinking tea. But if we choose a set of tea utensils in grass-ash color or transparent glass, the effect will be completely different.

Aesthetics isn't innate; it can be continuously improved through learning and accumulation. Usually, look at excellent photography works and appreciate art exhibitions more. When your aesthetics reach a certain level, you can take high-end photos even with simple equipment.

04 It's about skills

Although we emphasize that the essence of taking photos isn't about equipment, it's undeniable that skills are an important factor in making photos more perfect. We need to master the basics of photography: composition, light, exposure, etc., which can make your photos more professional and enjoyable to look at. It's like the brushwork in painting, enabling you to better express what's in your heart.

Learning skills doesn't happen overnight, nor does it need to be profound. We just need to start with basic knowledge, keep practicing and summarizing, and improve ourselves in each shooting session. Once proficient, you can take the photos you want whether with a camera or a mobile phone.

05 It's about action

With passion, perception, aesthetics, and skills, the most important thing is to take action. Many people buy expensive equipment and then imagine that they can immediately take stunning photos. But in reality, the equipment just sits in the corner gathering dust. They're always planning, daydreaming, and delaying taking the first step.

Taking good photos can't be learned through fantasy. Only by picking up the camera, stepping into life, taking more photos, and recording more can you truly improve your photography skills. Without action, even the most expensive equipment is useless.

06 It's about persistence

Photography is a long journey, and you'll encounter various difficulties and setbacks along the way. Sometimes you can't take satisfactory photos and will feel tired and confused. At such times, persistence becomes particularly important.

No matter how busy I am, I always find time to take photos. Whether it's raining or snowing, I never easily give up when facing any difficulties. It's precisely through persistence time and again that my works are loved and noticed by you. If I had given up, there would be no me as I am now.

07 It's about time

Time is the best witness of photography. It will accumulate your experience, hone your skills, and enrich your aesthetics. Every photo is your creation. As time goes by, you'll find that your photos have more storytelling and depth.

Don't be eager for quick success. Give photography enough time to grow slowly over the years. Use time to feel life, accumulate materials, and polish your works. In the end, time will reward you with a precious photography gift.

The price of camera lenses is clearly marked, but your passion, perception, aesthetics, skills, action, persistence, and time are priceless. These are the important factors that enable you to take good photos.

A few days ago, a sister added me on WeChat and asked me what camera and lens I used. She found that she had all the equipment I have but still couldn't take good-looking photos, so she planned to buy a better camera. I persuaded her: "Your focus now should be on improving your aesthetics, practicing composition, and mastering basic knowledge. As long as the equipment is sufficient, that's enough."

So sisters, don't be intimidated by what's said on the market. As long as you have a heart that wants to take good photos, even if you only have a mobile phone, it's completely fine.

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