A Cure for “GAS”?
Sep 6, 2019 11:22:59 #
I just came across a video that took me back to my 1960s roots.
There is SO much to be said for concentrating on *what you want to communicate,* rather than *the tools you use to do it.*
Take Marshall McLuhan, turn him upside down by the ankles, and shake him until the inconvenient truth falls out of his pockets:
The medium is NOT the message. The MESSAGE is the message, and the medium is just a transport mechanism.
Is this video helpful? (See next post for link.)
There is SO much to be said for concentrating on *what you want to communicate,* rather than *the tools you use to do it.*
Take Marshall McLuhan, turn him upside down by the ankles, and shake him until the inconvenient truth falls out of his pockets:
The medium is NOT the message. The MESSAGE is the message, and the medium is just a transport mechanism.
Is this video helpful? (See next post for link.)
Sep 6, 2019 11:23:10 #
Sep 6, 2019 11:25:39 #
Without more equipment, you're the only one cheating yourself out of success in photography ...
Sep 6, 2019 11:32:16 #
Sep 6, 2019 11:35:29 #
You can't really apply that to a D7000 vs. a D850. It's like, you couldn't shoot film noir in color. Wouldn't work.
Sep 6, 2019 11:36:55 #
As in so many things, the answer is "it depends". Why are you recording the image? If it is because of it's newsworthyness then quality of the picture is less important than anything else. The Miracle on the Hudson is an example of terrible quality, but very important in recording the event. If a photo is an attempt at art(whateve the hell that means) then the wuality is very important. Whether or not the gear is important is a whole nother issue. The best camera is the one you have with you. The above proves that I am confused about thye topic as is any one else.
Sep 6, 2019 11:38:12 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Without more equipment, you're the only one cheating yourself out of success in photography ...
I hope I detect some sarcasm there, Paul.
I’m not a minimalist, but I do believe it’s easy to get so caught up in technology that we forget why we bought it in the first place.
Daniel’s point in the video — about photographers missing the world around them while fiddling with gear — also seems valid. Some pretty successful and influential photographers go (went) to work with a body and a lens and get busy.
Sep 6, 2019 11:45:13 #
Longshadow wrote:
Some mediums transport better than others.
So true. In the video linked above, the guy is using relatively high end gear that is very appropriate for his style and content. He just isn’t using much of it.
He can remain in the moment, concentrating on stories, rather than fiddling with tools.
Sep 6, 2019 11:47:03 #
Sep 6, 2019 11:54:43 #
boberic wrote:
As in so many things, the answer is "it depen... (show quote)
(Art, phht.... I just like what I like, and not much "ART"....
)Sep 6, 2019 11:54:44 #
Frankly, I had always thought it was more the photographer than the equipment, often looking at certain photos in amazement. Having expanded into a variety of photo venues I had not previously pursued - Close ups / Macro, Birds and Wildlife, Lunar etc. I discovered in many cases, the image could not have been captured, or certainly not as well without proper equipment. The break point for me on GAS is that the equipment in question increases opportunity - that you can do things you would otherwise be unable to do without it, not that you just want it.
Sep 6, 2019 11:54:59 #
TBerwick
Loc: Houston, Texas
There's only about $30-35K worth of Nikon Glass that I would like to have. Will I every acquire them? Nope!
Sep 6, 2019 11:56:48 #
burkphoto wrote:
I hope I detect some sarcasm there, Paul.
I’m not a minimalist, but I do believe it’s easy to get so caught up in technology that we forget why we bought it in the first place.
Daniel’s point in the video — about photographers missing the world around them while fiddling with gear — also seems valid. Some pretty successful and influential photographers go (went) to work with a body and a lens and get busy.
I’m not a minimalist, but I do believe it’s easy to get so caught up in technology that we forget why we bought it in the first place.
Daniel’s point in the video — about photographers missing the world around them while fiddling with gear — also seems valid. Some pretty successful and influential photographers go (went) to work with a body and a lens and get busy.
I know after a long case of GAS, I could be accused of being hypocritical regarding equipment. I have tried to share the revelations from my own journey, particularly the benefits of buying used and "if you don't use it, sell it." But for the most part, I try not to chase the windmills ....
Sep 6, 2019 12:01:56 #
jjbrenner
Loc: San Angelo, TX
I think he's spot on . . . for him. Absolutism is always "iffy," but I agree with his main points. I know I've missed opportunities because I was "fiddling" with lens selection/mounting. I'm about as far from a "professional" photographer as one can get, but my kind of shooting is improved by the options that my three main lenses offer. Also, I shoot so much in very low light that a fast lens, my full-frame Canon 6D, and medium telephoto options are necessary.
Sep 6, 2019 12:20:14 #
Three things should go into your decision to buy: Do you really want it? Do you need it? Can you afford it?
If you have the luxury of time, wait until lust has turned to love before you marry yourself to the purchase.
If you have the luxury of time, wait until lust has turned to love before you marry yourself to the purchase.
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