zvos1
Well-known
Ok, folks you might have looked at the title and wondered WTF??!!
Let me explain, I have been obsessed with the photography for the last 5-7 years, in this time I have purchased and sold dozens (if not more) cameras, film and digital and can't seem to settle on one system or either film or digital. I am sick of trolling through e-bay, KEH my local camera stores but cannot help it, it is an obsession after all. I am sure most of you suffered from GAS at some point.
Now, this is seriously getting in the a way of my photography as it takes my focus away from concentrating on what it is important in photography like composition, colors, the decisive moment etc. Also, time looking for more equipment can be used better by actually taking photos.
I have a plan and I want to know if anyone has done similar thing and did it work by improving your photography skills and curing GAS.
I have decided to "punish" myself (or reward if you want) with a particular project. I have recently acquired beater M2 that works perfectly and a user Summicron 50mm F2 (Type 4 I think). I have box of film in my freezer (around 50 rolls), predominantly Ilford FP4 and HP5 and some collour. I decided to sell of all my other gear (mainly Nikon digital) except small Canon digital camera for emergency stuff and imposed a ban on any purchase of equipment until I use all 50 rolls with my M2. I estimate this will take me around a year to complete.....what do you think am I crazy?
P.S. I do develop my own BW film and have a film scanner which serves me well.
I'd like to hear if anyone has done the similar thing?
Let me explain, I have been obsessed with the photography for the last 5-7 years, in this time I have purchased and sold dozens (if not more) cameras, film and digital and can't seem to settle on one system or either film or digital. I am sick of trolling through e-bay, KEH my local camera stores but cannot help it, it is an obsession after all. I am sure most of you suffered from GAS at some point.
Now, this is seriously getting in the a way of my photography as it takes my focus away from concentrating on what it is important in photography like composition, colors, the decisive moment etc. Also, time looking for more equipment can be used better by actually taking photos.
I have a plan and I want to know if anyone has done similar thing and did it work by improving your photography skills and curing GAS.
I have decided to "punish" myself (or reward if you want) with a particular project. I have recently acquired beater M2 that works perfectly and a user Summicron 50mm F2 (Type 4 I think). I have box of film in my freezer (around 50 rolls), predominantly Ilford FP4 and HP5 and some collour. I decided to sell of all my other gear (mainly Nikon digital) except small Canon digital camera for emergency stuff and imposed a ban on any purchase of equipment until I use all 50 rolls with my M2. I estimate this will take me around a year to complete.....what do you think am I crazy?
P.S. I do develop my own BW film and have a film scanner which serves me well.
I'd like to hear if anyone has done the similar thing?
bmattock
Veteran
Every couple of days on RFF, somebody announces breathlessly that they have discovered the secret of becoming a better photographer, and that secret is...(wait for it)...limiting themselves to one camera, one lens, one film. Some want to do it for a period of time like a month or a year, some seem to think they've found eternal heaven. Most of them want to explain how this is the correct answer for everyone, and we've even had some threads where the newly-endarkened plead for others to become acolytes and join them in their wearing of the photographic hair shirt.
Good luck to you. I walk a somewhat different path.
Gregoryniss
Well-known
I'm definitely gonna try and do this with my leica m3 when it gets here. Although i shoot for the school news paper, so i'll have to resort to digital about once a week. But for my pleasure i'm going to try and only shoot film
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
You'll get very little sympathy on RFF. The whole point of the forum is buying, selling and lusting after gear. Seriously, and not to put down RFF for being what it is, but if you don't want to feed your obsession with gear, this is not the forum to frequent.
You have a good idea. It's always better to shoot more, rather than less. But if you are looking for encouragement to stop buying stuff, it ain't gonna happen here.
You have a good idea. It's always better to shoot more, rather than less. But if you are looking for encouragement to stop buying stuff, it ain't gonna happen here.
f16sunshine
Moderator
You need to ask yourself one thing:
Are you the marrying type......?
The one camera one lens honeymoon can end pretty quick. Don't throw away the little black book to soon. Maybe just give it all to a friend to hold on to.
Are you the marrying type......?
The one camera one lens honeymoon can end pretty quick. Don't throw away the little black book to soon. Maybe just give it all to a friend to hold on to.
Wayne R. Scott
Half fast Leica User
I think being a cabinet maker and using only one tool, let's say it is a framing hammer, will not make a person a craftsman no matter how long he abstains from buying other tools. I feel the same is true with photographers.
But if you want to punish yourself, go for it!!
Bill left out the secret handshake requirement.
Wayne
But if you want to punish yourself, go for it!!
Bill left out the secret handshake requirement.
Wayne
bmattock
Veteran
Well, now it's not a secret!
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I wouldnt have sold the other gear unless you needed the money. The Leica and 50 is a project that many here try to do, as Bill so eloquently put it (putting on the photographic hair shirt...LOL!). A long term project based on documenting something or saying something artistically can definately focus you and help you develop as a photographer. I don't think one based on using certain equipment or excluding equipment will do much for you. That's too gear focused. Make your project subject/idea/message/image focused instead.
I have several projects in progress now, the oldest one I have worked on for 17 years! I photographed my grandfather for 15 years before he died at the end of 2008. I spent nearly 2 years photographing antiwar protests in Santa Fe (would still be working on this one if I hadn't moved to Indiana). My Doll House project is almost 5 months old and will continue till the Doll's House is demolished or I decide I have finished the story.
I have several projects in progress now, the oldest one I have worked on for 17 years! I photographed my grandfather for 15 years before he died at the end of 2008. I spent nearly 2 years photographing antiwar protests in Santa Fe (would still be working on this one if I hadn't moved to Indiana). My Doll House project is almost 5 months old and will continue till the Doll's House is demolished or I decide I have finished the story.
akptc
Shoot first, think later
Sounds like a reasonable attempt at sanity to me. I am looking at at closet-full of seldom-used photo gear as I write this and all I can do is to applaud your determination, if not decisiveness 
. Personally, I was a happy owner of a single camera+lens outfit for ~ 8 years in my younger days and would do it again in heartbeat if only I could decide on a suitable kit .
. Personally, I was a happy owner of a single camera+lens outfit for ~ 8 years in my younger days and would do it again in heartbeat if only I could decide on a suitable kit .
fotomeow
name under my name
zvos1........good for you and your project, go for it. I did a couple projects before I really got my GAS going, and have been prepping for a new project I plan to start in the next year. Many projects that I have done or have seen other fotogs do has been an enlightening experience, and not necessarily what we thought the project was going to be like, but led us in other directions as ever-developing photographers, only enriching our experience and overall life processes. The point being that the really poignant things we learned along the way were not even on the map before we started, resulting in pleasant surprises rather than the somewhat futile GAS existence (If getting more and more is never enough!)
DRabbit
Registered
I took a different path.
I decided to be committed to a Picture-A-Day project, which forces me every day to be creative and take at least one photo. When you're concentrating on taking pictures, you get better at photography... or at least I hope so!
A pleasant by-product has been I focus more on the cameras I have than the ones I want.
I decided to be committed to a Picture-A-Day project, which forces me every day to be creative and take at least one photo. When you're concentrating on taking pictures, you get better at photography... or at least I hope so!
A pleasant by-product has been I focus more on the cameras I have than the ones I want.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I agree with what Dan said and want to expand on it by saying that while making art can be hard work and does often involve failures (you cannot create without trying new things...sometimes it works sometimes not, thats how you learn and develop your style) it should not be a punishment. Punishment is something that is painful and unenjoyable. Prison is unpleasant; its a punishment. Making art should not be a punishment. If you do not enjoy it, then photography is not for you. Do something you enjoy. If you enjoy photography, then have fun with it, don't make it painful. If you don't enjoy it then there are lots of other fun hobbies to try out. I think you probably enjoy photography and are just overthinking things and making life difficult for no reason....just go out and take pictures of something that interests you. That's what I do.
gho
Well-known
I agree with Chris Crawford. Maybe you could manage to turn it into a rewarding experience instead? Try to stop buying, set up a little piggy bank for your saved camera money and use the equipment you have. If you find that you do not use certain cameras, sell them and fatten the piggy bank even further. Good luck.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
The one-camera, one-film approach might work, but I reckon your true addiction is buying stuff over the internet.
Even if you would manage to keep the selfdirected one-camera, one-film promise, you'll probably find yourself hamstering t-shirts, or kitchen knives sets, or whatever.
Set a curfew on your internet connection while abiding the one-camera, one-film law and you'll be more successfull, I'm sure.
PS I'll be launching a new project here on the first day of spring, keep an eye open
Even if you would manage to keep the selfdirected one-camera, one-film promise, you'll probably find yourself hamstering t-shirts, or kitchen knives sets, or whatever.
Set a curfew on your internet connection while abiding the one-camera, one-film law and you'll be more successfull, I'm sure.
PS I'll be launching a new project here on the first day of spring, keep an eye open
Last edited:
semrich
Well-known
Photography is fun for me, I consider my collection of film cameras as toys not tools so as not take myself to seriously. I go out to play with my chosen toys for the day or trip. Usually for the day one body and usually one lens, sometimes two. I play at taking all manner of pictures, some while observing the "rules" and other without concern for rules.
I have often thought about the one camera one lens thing, and while at times it seems to have some appeal I know I would miss the contemplation of what the days play would be. Where to go, what genre, format, film, camera, and lens. Then just going out to see what that day brings.
I have often thought about the one camera one lens thing, and while at times it seems to have some appeal I know I would miss the contemplation of what the days play would be. Where to go, what genre, format, film, camera, and lens. Then just going out to see what that day brings.
Jerevan
Recycled User
I believe we all have to do our own journey, so to speak. Some people thrive on the challenge of limitations. I think the idea of setting a goal like you have done, is a good thing. What goal to set is up to yourself, but once you've started, keep at it and there will be rewards along the way.
I agree that RFF is not for people trying to cut down the camera hoarding.
I agree that RFF is not for people trying to cut down the camera hoarding.
Don Parsons
Well-known
Picture a day.
Picture a day.
I'm doing one too. Fun but challenging. Doesn't matter what I use, digital, nikon, pentax or Koni Omega. Just work on photographer for at least as long as it takes me to get the shot every day. I'm seeing things that I wouldn't have seen before.
Picture a day.
I'm doing one too. Fun but challenging. Doesn't matter what I use, digital, nikon, pentax or Koni Omega. Just work on photographer for at least as long as it takes me to get the shot every day. I'm seeing things that I wouldn't have seen before.
KenD
Film Shooter
Funny... and good advice.
emraphoto
Veteran
I say go for it! At the end of it all you will know for yourself what motivates you.
A focused approach to subject matter will improve you skills ten times faster than a new bit of gear.
I think the limited set up should be looked at differently. It doesn't have to be a RULE that brings ridicule if broken (either way). It's simply a choice that either works for you or not. I can go for months on end with one film and one lens. I just get busy really. Focused on what's in front of me and I sort of forget about the camera.
Only you will be able to tell if it works for you or not. Try it out and decide for yourself.
A focused approach to subject matter will improve you skills ten times faster than a new bit of gear.
I think the limited set up should be looked at differently. It doesn't have to be a RULE that brings ridicule if broken (either way). It's simply a choice that either works for you or not. I can go for months on end with one film and one lens. I just get busy really. Focused on what's in front of me and I sort of forget about the camera.
Only you will be able to tell if it works for you or not. Try it out and decide for yourself.
robklurfield
eclipse
whatever works for you. the only discipline I've imposed on myself is in the form of such strictures as:
- don't spend money you don't have on equipment you don't need
- try to shoot something every day
- go back to film
- relearn how to process film
- stop using Costco when you can do it yourself faster and cheaper and have more fun doing it
- shoot more images
- shoot more images
- use your brain more often then gizmos and gimmicks
- shoot more images
- have fun, and
- shoot more images
anyway, that's just me. as I said at the top, whatever works for you....
enjoy.... don't treat it as punishment.... avoid KEH's site if it acts as a tempting vice (or, if you're really addicted, perhaps it's really a vise that has you in its jaws).... give your gear to a friend to hold (or use). remember to have fun. life is short. shoot lots of pix.
- don't spend money you don't have on equipment you don't need
- try to shoot something every day
- go back to film
- relearn how to process film
- stop using Costco when you can do it yourself faster and cheaper and have more fun doing it
- shoot more images
- shoot more images
- use your brain more often then gizmos and gimmicks
- shoot more images
- have fun, and
- shoot more images
anyway, that's just me. as I said at the top, whatever works for you....
enjoy.... don't treat it as punishment.... avoid KEH's site if it acts as a tempting vice (or, if you're really addicted, perhaps it's really a vise that has you in its jaws).... give your gear to a friend to hold (or use). remember to have fun. life is short. shoot lots of pix.