Minimalistic Setup + One Lens Challenge with the Olympus 25mm F1.8

At the beginning of the month I mentioned that I was going to try a minimalistic setup for June. In this episode we chat about the benefits and challenges I had with going simple and doing a one lens challenge.

Why the minimalistic setup and the one lens challenge?

What sparked this interest in doing a minimalistic setup for this past month and the one lens challenge was a video I watched on YouTube. B&H does this amazing series called 21 Questions where they feature different kinds of photographers. A few months ago they featured Paola or @Monaris on Instagram and something from that video inspired me to try a simplistic setup for June!

Why did I choose the 25mm F1.8?

When it came down to choosing which lens for the minimalistic setup I went with the Olympus 25mm F1.8 for a couple reasons:

It is the only prime lens that I own
It’s versatile for all the kinds of photography that I was going to be doing this month

Benefits of going minimalistic?

It was very simple and easy to get out the door: Going with the simplistic setup of one camera body and one lens made for getting out the door very simple. I usually carried a handful of items (phone, wallet, keys, camera and sometimes a water bottle if it’s hot). I didn’t have to hassle with what to bring with me, if I should leave something behind because of the activity I was doing. It was so extremely easy to get out the door.
I found myself bringing my camera everywhere with me more often: Due to the lightweight, compact system of the EM1 Mark II with the 25mm F1.8 I overall found myself bringing my camera everywhere with me - into restaurants, to personal events, for evening walks.
It was discrete for public spaces: With the weather warming up in Kelowna more and more people are hitting the beaches, parks, streets. Thus, it’s been nice having a smaller setup that is more discrete in public spaces rather a camera backpack with all the lenses.
I was more aware of my surroundings, composition and perspective: Using a fixed lens overall made me more aware of my surroundings and what I needed to do to get the shot. I found it made me linger on a moment longer to make sure my composition was right, my settings were right, etc.,
It pushed me outside my comfort zone: Now that we are in full swing of summer I have been working on Summer in the Okanagan my seasonal photography collection that documents what it’s like summer in the Okanagan - how others and I experience it. Since I’ve also been only using the 25mm it’s forcing me to get closer to the scene. I can’t use the zoom of the 12-40 or the 40-150 to keep my self far away. I have to get closer which can be uncomfortable for me.

Challenges of going minimalistic?

The main challenge I had with going minimalistic this month was photographing in tight spaces. A few weeks ago my Fiance and I ate indoors at our favourite sushi restaurant which we hadn’t done since indoor dining was suspended. I brought my camera along to document the moment but I struggled because we were in a tight space. Our table was a half booth and I couldn’t physically move any farther back to get the framing that I wanted.

Most generally, I am outside with my photography. However, I have been making a more active effort in documenting the personal moments - birthdays, fathers day, moments with my family.