How to choose your camera: advice from travel photographer Ian Howarth

ByJessica Vincent

Published December 16, 2023

• 8 min read

A Brighton-based photographer exploring themes of identity and culture, Ian Howorth has a particular love for capturing intimate objects in different countries. He has published three photography books, Arcadia, In Passing and his latest, A Country Kind of Silence –— a collection exploring his Peruvian-British identity. He shares his insights into ensuring you have the right camera for the job.

Tell us about you and your work.

I was born in Peru to a Peruvian mother and an English father. By the time I was 16, I’d lived in three different countries, which really got me thinking about cultural differences. Photography was a way for me to explore the ideas of identity. Part of my work has always been to look at each place I visit and identify what makes it unique. I love to see what the visual culture of a place is, especially through inanimate objects. To me, a pack of cigarettes and a bowl of porridge on a sunlit table can say a lot about a place.

How important has equipment been to your success?

The first camera I bought really informed what equipment I wanted to work with. I’ve always used 28mm and 58mm prime lenses. If something is too far away, I’ll move closer. And if that’s not possible, I won’t take the shot. The most important part of developing my photography was first understanding what I wanted from the photos. Once I was clear on that, I could choose the equipment that would help me achieve those results.

What should photographers consider when choosing their equipment?

If you’re starting out on your photography journey, it’s important to first understand how lenses work and what they can do for you. You can use zoom lenses of course, but I think it’s important to always have one or two prime lenses in your kit bag, ideally a 35mm or 50mm lens. Prime lenses might seem harder to use at first because they don’t let you zoom, but they help you understand how a specific focal range works, which will really improve your skills.

Size, weight and price also matter. Something that’s informed my choice of equipment over the years is how much I enjoy shooting with particular cameras and lenses. For travelling, prioritise lightweight, compact and durable equipment that makes shooting as comfortable as possible. Finally, if this is your first camera, don’t feel you have to buy something expensive. All cameras follow the same rules: ISO, shutter speed and aperture. The most important thing is that you’re out there learning something and discovering your own style.

What equipment would you recommend for landscape photography?

What camera you use doesn’t matter too much, but what really makes a difference when shooting different subjects is the lens. For landscape photography, I’d similarly recommend using a 24-70mm zoom lens. When you’re using a zoom lens, try to see where you’re landing on the zoom range so you’re always aware of how you’re shooting the image. The lens will tell you where you are on the zoom, as will the photo metadata when you’re editing in Lightroom or Photoshop. If you want to try a prime lens, for landscape shots I’d recommend a 24mm or 35mm lens.

How about portraits?

For portraits, lenses between 50mm and 85mm are most commonly used. What also plays an important part in shooting portraits is the aperture of the lens. With portraiture, it’s often nice to separate your subject from the background. To do this, you open up the lens to get the widest aperture — usually between f/1.4 and f/2 — and let in more light. Lenses at their widest aperture tend to create a sharp but soft image, which is perfect for portraits.

Do you have any tips for city photography?

When photographing in a city, you need to be like a coiled spring — ready to act quickly. For city shots, I’d use a 24-70mm zoom lens or a 35mm prime lens. A 35mm prime lens is close enough to your subject that you don’t have to keep running up to it, but at the same time, it’ll give you a sense of width. Photography is never just about the subject — it’s about the environment around it. If you go wider and you’re still not getting a decent shot, go a bit wider. Keep moving back until you’re no longer getting a good shot. In a city situation, always try to incorporate as much of the environment as you can.

What camera would you recommend for people starting out?

You can’t go wrong with a DSLR, but mirrorless cameras are a good option because whenever you hold the camera to your eye, the image you see in the electronic viewfinder is actually the exposure you’ll be getting. DSLRs can’t do that because they have an optical viewfinder. Fujifilm, Olympus and Sony have affordable and high-quality mirrorless cameras. In terms of portability, price and usability, though, my top pick for a beginner camera would be the Fujifilm XT20, XT10 or XT30. They’re quite similar in terms of what the camera does, but the XT30 (the newest version) has better resolution and ISO performance.

Are there any camera accessories you can’t live without?

I always carry a tripod and extra batteries. Camera sensors are getting more and more sensitive, so long exposure isn’t always necessary. But if you want the ultimate image quality regardless of the conditions, then a tripod is a fantastic tool. Manfrotto is a good brand for lightweight, compact tripods.

If you had to choose just one camera and lens to use for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A Fujifilm GFX100S and a 35mm lens.

More information
MPB is an online platform that enables photographers to buy, sell or trade used camera and video equipment. Giving a second life to thousands of cameras and lenses every year, MPB has a wide selection of camera gear from entry-level to pro, including DSLRs, mirrorless lenses and premium compact cameras from brands like Nikon, Canon and Sony. For more information, visit mpb.com

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