Welcome to Members’ Corner! Each month, we run a bounty asking our community members to write about the subjects that matter most to them. So far, we’ve published pieces on tomahawk throwing, the modern reverberations of Bristol’s historic links to the slave trade, and the warning signs of pancreatic cancer. This time around, Sturmer talks about photography and the art of rediscovering the world through a viewfinder. Enjoy! 

In today's world, everyone carries a smartphone in their pocket, capturing moments with a tap on the screen. However, I don't believe this convenience has diminished photography as an artform. Photography isn't about megapixels or filters; it's about preserving moments, telling stories, and seeing the world differently.

I've noticed a significant transformation when people pick up a real camera and look through a viewfinder rather than staring at a screen and taking hip-shots. The viewfinder isolates you, offering a unique opportunity to see subjects or scenery from an entirely new perspective. Worn-out planks on a deck can reveal a unique pattern. A simple rusty gate element can become art.

This is where the magic happens. Even the cheapest digital camera with a dedicated lens will produce a more professional result than any smartphone with artificial simulation. Physics don't lie; a sensor 35 times larger in area and up to 1kg of glass capturing photons will always yield more precise data.

Some think photography is an expensive hobby, but that's not true. You can start for as little as $200 and still take amazing pictures. I recommend grabbing a used full-frame camera like the EOS 5D or EOS 5D Mark II and a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. The 50mm lens on a full-frame camera closely mimics the human eye, and a prime lens means fewer controls to learn. The f/1.8 aperture provides stunning bokeh [a photographic technique in which one element of the image is intentionally blurred], allowing you to isolate any subject from the background. Plus, this combo is fairly compact and light to carry around.

To learn, watch a few videos on shutter speed, aperture, and ISO controls, then take a walk with your camera. You'll be shocked at how many interesting things you've missed out on in your own neighbourhood. You don't need to travel to Africa or the North Pole to take great pictures; even a neighbour's old car, with the right lighting and angle, can become a desktop background!

In summary, holding a camera can unleash your artistic vision. Simple everyday things can be captured as art. You don't need a big budget to start, and photography gives you a great reason to explore and discover the world around you.

We’d like to thank Sturmer for sharing his expertise, passion, and photographs. If you have any questions for him, ask them in the comments. 

At the time of publication, our third Members’ Corner bounty is open for submissions. If you’d like to win a cash prize for discussing a subject close to your heart, get involved! Some text has been amended for brevity, you can find the original wording at the bounty post.