Level of inspection

I have been helping, well, more like talking, to a co-worker about photography. I gave him inputs, and showed him examples. I didn't push Canon, but I could only talk about it because thats what I know. Generally tried to guide him in the confusing world of stuff that is photography. I am not a historian, I don't know much, but I like to share what little sliver I do know because it took me a while to figure out what I do know.

I explained the various layers of photography, that the more doors you open there are more to follow. Photography is an expensive hobby, but rewarding. I always look back to the previous year's images and find myself unhappy with the results. (don't let me look at stuff I shot five years ago, I might pass out) There were plenty of websites to share, books to suggest, but the ultimate suggestion was to shoot and keep shooting. 

Then we got in to the technical realm. In terms of which lens is better than another, and why. I fell off the conversation at that point. He was reading all sorts of material on-line about why the 70-200 f/2.8 IS version 2 was better than version 1. (and when the heck did it get to $2,200?) Or which lens should be better than the 17-40 f/4 I typically use. He was talking to another friend who did photography and got more opinions on gear. I didn't have much of a leg to stand on for why one thing might be better than another.

Then I realized a very important point about my photography- I didn't care. Not one spec. I am not a pixel peeper. I don't care what kind of glass Canon manufactures the lense out of. I just want the damn thing to work. I know what to expect out of the image, and I know, usually, how to get there.

Should I care than the 16-35 f/2.8 is better lens than the 17-40 f/4? Probably, but reality has me. I don't have endless cash, I want to take good images and be able to do other things. Reality hits home. I am a practical person. If my humble little home 'studio' is currently working for me, then thats what I will keep using. I am not going to go out and buy a parabolic strobe setup because it is so great. I can't, and maybe in 15-20 years maybe, but for practical life I am where I am and it works.

Which also reminded me, this is very much how I live my life. If it works, great! If there is a better solution, I will take my time to understand it and work towards it if the new solution makes sense. (recent example- taking my old computer and trying to use Linux on it instead of Windows for a project- turns out for my project, Windows was better suited. Thats fine with me, but it took some playing around and research to figure that out for myself)

While I am frustrated with what "COULD BE" I am usually very happy with what is and I do have. It is an internal struggle, but all I need to do is look back to see what I have done and the frustrations calm down and I am able to focus again. (pun fully intended)