What opinions of yours have changed over time? Technique, equipment, etc

I have changed my opinion about how much you can believe a camera salesman. Sadly, most are on some kind of commission and have their own best interest at heart. Although a few have been straight with me, others have not.

James P wrote in post #9046705
I have changed my opinion about how much you can believe a camera salesman. Sadly, most are on some kind of commission and have their own best interest at heart. Although a few have been straight with me, others have not.

Don't just single out camera salesmen. Use that wisdom from experience to help you in life.

JCH77Yanks wrote in post #9036396
When I first started shooting with a dSLR all I wanted to shoot was natural light, now I always have at the very least an off shoe cable and one of my flashes wherever I go.

Easily this. I never wanted to use flash really, but if you have the equipment and the knowledge, the results are great.

I have been shooting (DSLR) for only 2 yrs, and have learned alot. Most of that knowledge is fresh, and good knowledge, so I haven't had to change much of what I know.

I have learned to appreciate prime lenses. I think I could be perfectly happy with a 30 1.4, and a 85 1.8. My first prime lens was the nifty 50 and my opinion (after owning 2 copies of it) is that I hate that lens (It almost turned me away from primes).

Learned that it's best to carry only what gear you will need. I have an average amount of gear I think, but it's still alot to take all in one shot when 2 lenses would do. I like messenger style bags (my Crumpler 5MDH and 7MDH clones) much more then backpacks now. My back no longer gets sweaty.

I've been shooting mostly RAW since the beginning (one of the attractive features that got my into DSLRs) but only recently have I learned how WB /picture styles settings/histogram/ETT​R all come together.

It's really like learning about the universe. When you think you start to understand something, you learn there are a whole bunch of other things you need to know!

cdifoto wrote in post #9039988
The biggest epiphany for me was that the less gear I have on me, the better my images are. My initial mindset was that I needed to carry equipment to cover every scenario so I don't miss anything, but I was missing stuff anyway because I was bogged down with kit.

I can relate to this.

That shooting DSLR's would instantly convert me in to a good photographer - oops 3 years later and lots of learning to go.

That the best composition would just jump out at me - now i can walk around for 1/2 hour before shooting a single shot. And visualisation is the key.

That PP can make any image into a masterpiece - boy was i wrong on that!

I've only been seriously learning about photography for about 4 months (I know, right?!) but I have learned some things:
1) the more I learn the more I see I don't know
2) I learn more from photogs who are willing to share their expertise than anything else
3) if I slow down when taking photos I get better images
4) getting the right exposure is a you-know-what
5) a high end lens does not compute automatically to great images