written and submitted by Roy Rodriguez, CoECS Class of '26

Going to the BILD Expo was a really opening experience. It gave me a chance to learn about both new and familiar gear, connect with other creatives like photographers and videographers, and check out live demos and speakers who shared their stories.
 

One of the first things that caught my eye was the 7Artisans Infinity Series lenses. I got to try out a 35mm full-frame lens on an exhibitor’s Sony FX3, which was awesome, especially since that same camera was used in movies like The Creator. It gave me a small taste of what using cinema-level gear feels like. It honestly reminded me of that quote from Spider-Man 2: “The power of the sun in the palm of my hand.”
 

I also joined some live photo shoot sessions where you could work on your composition with models. It was a great way to practice in a real world setting. What stood out even more was the lighting demo, where the speaker showed us how to set up lights for a solid headshot. Then, in front of the crowd, they edited the photo and asked for feedback on whether it fit industry standards. It was cool to be part of that conversation. There were also tables from Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, Sigma, and more, where anyone could test out lenses either on their own camera or with the gear provided. 
 

Then one of my favorite parts was checking out the Blackmagic Design demo. They had a Mac Mini M4 running DaVinci Resolve on 4K footage, paired with a custom Blackmagic control surface. Watching it all work in real time was eye-opening. Then I got to try out a full cinema setup, complete with a cage, focus pull, and lens. It gave me a real sense of how I could take my own work more seriously.
 

The BILD Expo wasn’t just about trying out expensive gear. It showed what’s possible and helped me think about what’s next. If I had to say anything from the B and H Expo, it made a dream feel achievable. You see where people are, and you meet them. It encourages you to step up, and have everything you demo become the very tools you one day use to capture your best picture.