1. Do you find that people react differently to your presence depending on whether you have more bulky camera gear and multiple cameras with you or whether you have smaller, lightweight gear? — @jaimeboddorff via Instagram

Ron Haviv answers:

The decision to use what gear and when is both important for the way you want your images to look as well as your ability to photograph. The aesthetics are an important consideration but more and more the ability of the visual journalist to blend into the background often depends on gear and appearance. All are important to consider.

In today’s world, most people are used to being photographed or photographing with their phones. The device means something very different to them than a standard camera.

Therefore the reaction can often be very different depending on gear use. I was in Haiti doing a post earthquake story in one of the displacement camps. I had my standard 35mm DSLR with me and a lens and was dressed pretty low key without a camera bag or pouches. As I moved about the camp, it was increasingly difficult to work. People were tired of photographers and essentially I was asked to leave. I dropped the camera off and came back with an iPhone. The interaction was totally different. At that point, having a phone, like many of them, that took photographs, put me on a level that they could relate to.

There will be times when the traditional DSLR, small mirrorless cameras or the phone will be more valuable than the other to use for certain reasons.

While there are of course budget issues to consider, it will always make sense to understand your workflow, what gear makes sense where and how to maximize the situations with what you are using.