vincechu
Veteran
Hi everyone,
I'm back - completely finished with my exams and assigments at university... forever! Graduation two months away
So anyway here's what I really wanted to say:
The past few weeks I've been doing a lot of thinking, partly due to my exams, but also because of my photography.
It's strange I've gotten to the point where I'm a little fed up of wanting new gear/lenses, I feel as though I just want to feel liberated and just get out and shoot...
Acceptance not denial - My name is Vince and I have a problem.
I have gear buying addiction (GAS, LBA, CBA - whatever you want to call it). Somehow I've become fed up of lusting after new equipment, buying it unnecessarily, then making a loss selling it if I don't like it. Ultimately its just a waste of money but also time - I've spend hours researching new gear, looking at reviews and photos taken from it, time I could have been out taking photos and developing my skills.
Let's be frank. A lot of gear we buy we don't need, we want.
Solution = Confrontation - let's beat our gear buying addictions!
Gear buying addiction is one tough cookie. But I believe we can get over it, and here's my idea:
1) Rationalise your kit/set up:
A. Question your photographic style - What do you take photos of, what 'subject(s)' do you photograph mainly?
B. Ask yourself what gear is essential for this - e.g. insects = macro lenses, sports fast telephoto lenses and quick frame rates.
C. Get this essential kit, dispose of the rest! Send it fully insured to me in the UK LOL only joking. Perhaps sell it, trade it in or give it to someone who may put it to better use (I 'gave' my LX5 to my mum, when I say gave, I mean 'long-term loan' lol).
It'll be interesting to see how much money you could save by rationalising your kit.
2) Prevention - how to minimise getting gear buying addictions again.
A. Avoid following new gear rumor sites, news and review sites - that new shiny, multi-award winning camera which even won an Oscar and Nobel prize, with ISO10million is always going to be tempting ;-)
B. Avoid classified adverts and ebay auctions - It's always too easy to not let that once in a life-time bargain get away from you, even though you don't need it!
C. Stop looking at the EXIF information of stunning photos, for clues about the camera and lens model! If a photo is stunning, then chances are it's the photographer's eye and skill set which has made it that stunning!
D. Finally, I think we should get out and about and take more photos, develop our skills and train our photographic eyes - not only does this stop you from doing the above because you're away from your computer but because that way you maximise the potential you get out of your gear:
In all honesty I'm often feeling unworthy of my K5 and my now sold FA31, I feel my skills don't live up to the full capabilities or potential of my gear. I feel especially embarrassed when I see photographers take stunning photos with dated DSLR's or tiny point and shoots!
Challenge yourself to make the most of the gear!
So my post exam period has marked a new start for me, graduation soon and the 'real' begining of my working life, but also a new photographic direction.
In my case I take snaps of friends or family, food/flower/object photos as well as a landscape/cityscape or two. I'm also trying to get into street photography and I want to slim my gear down so I can travel with a light set up.
So my gear was: K5, FA31 limited, Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4.5 macro, 18-55mm WR and a large amount of manual focus glass.
Now I've sold my MF glass and FA31 and hope to have: K5 and a 4 lens set up consisting of the Sigma and 18-55 WR and Pentax DA21 and DA40 for their discreetness, lightweight and tiny size.
What does everyone think? Is anyone with me?
Disclaimer note thingy: It's not a definative solution and no guarantees of success. Think hard before you sell anything so you don't regret it
I'm back - completely finished with my exams and assigments at university... forever! Graduation two months away
So anyway here's what I really wanted to say:
The past few weeks I've been doing a lot of thinking, partly due to my exams, but also because of my photography.
It's strange I've gotten to the point where I'm a little fed up of wanting new gear/lenses, I feel as though I just want to feel liberated and just get out and shoot...
Acceptance not denial - My name is Vince and I have a problem.
I have gear buying addiction (GAS, LBA, CBA - whatever you want to call it). Somehow I've become fed up of lusting after new equipment, buying it unnecessarily, then making a loss selling it if I don't like it. Ultimately its just a waste of money but also time - I've spend hours researching new gear, looking at reviews and photos taken from it, time I could have been out taking photos and developing my skills.
Let's be frank. A lot of gear we buy we don't need, we want.
Solution = Confrontation - let's beat our gear buying addictions!
Gear buying addiction is one tough cookie. But I believe we can get over it, and here's my idea:
1) Rationalise your kit/set up:
A. Question your photographic style - What do you take photos of, what 'subject(s)' do you photograph mainly?
B. Ask yourself what gear is essential for this - e.g. insects = macro lenses, sports fast telephoto lenses and quick frame rates.
C. Get this essential kit, dispose of the rest! Send it fully insured to me in the UK LOL only joking. Perhaps sell it, trade it in or give it to someone who may put it to better use (I 'gave' my LX5 to my mum, when I say gave, I mean 'long-term loan' lol).
It'll be interesting to see how much money you could save by rationalising your kit.
2) Prevention - how to minimise getting gear buying addictions again.
A. Avoid following new gear rumor sites, news and review sites - that new shiny, multi-award winning camera which even won an Oscar and Nobel prize, with ISO10million is always going to be tempting ;-)
B. Avoid classified adverts and ebay auctions - It's always too easy to not let that once in a life-time bargain get away from you, even though you don't need it!
C. Stop looking at the EXIF information of stunning photos, for clues about the camera and lens model! If a photo is stunning, then chances are it's the photographer's eye and skill set which has made it that stunning!
D. Finally, I think we should get out and about and take more photos, develop our skills and train our photographic eyes - not only does this stop you from doing the above because you're away from your computer but because that way you maximise the potential you get out of your gear:
In all honesty I'm often feeling unworthy of my K5 and my now sold FA31, I feel my skills don't live up to the full capabilities or potential of my gear. I feel especially embarrassed when I see photographers take stunning photos with dated DSLR's or tiny point and shoots!
Challenge yourself to make the most of the gear!
So my post exam period has marked a new start for me, graduation soon and the 'real' begining of my working life, but also a new photographic direction.
In my case I take snaps of friends or family, food/flower/object photos as well as a landscape/cityscape or two. I'm also trying to get into street photography and I want to slim my gear down so I can travel with a light set up.
So my gear was: K5, FA31 limited, Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4.5 macro, 18-55mm WR and a large amount of manual focus glass.
Now I've sold my MF glass and FA31 and hope to have: K5 and a 4 lens set up consisting of the Sigma and 18-55 WR and Pentax DA21 and DA40 for their discreetness, lightweight and tiny size.
What does everyone think? Is anyone with me?
Disclaimer note thingy: It's not a definative solution and no guarantees of success. Think hard before you sell anything so you don't regret it