10 Tips on how to cure yourself from GAS

Rogier said:
Came across this article while I was browsing the web for my next camera :rolleyes:

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/...re-yourself-of-gas-gear-acquisition-syndrome/
Click to expand...

ROFL :D :D :D.
This is absolutely the wrong place for this approach.

The only relevant question you have to ask yourself :
"Does my current gear prevent me from taking great pictures?"

Has anyone ever answered this truthfully with a bold NO and consequently not bought the new gear? :D.


On particular point :
quote: [The best thing I have heard digital cameras likened to were computers. Think about how long you can use a computer before it gets outdated. 4 years, at best? Digital cameras as essentially computers. They get outdated fast as hell. There are always new digital cameras coming out with moar and moar megapixels, iso, dynamic range, faster autofocus, and crappy features like hdr and panorama, etc). I doubt you can use a digital camera longer than 4 years, without it being considered a dinosaur.]


As for the computer/digital camera analogy:
A computer at some point of time will just not be compatible with a lot of new applications that do require more "power/speed". A 6mp digital camera can still take great pictures if the owner doesn't care what other gear heads think, it's perfectly good to use.
 
Pay cash for everything. That has an effect on GAS for me.
 
You guys read the article?
I saw the accompanying images and went straight to the comments...Entertaining stuff.
 
Based on AA :

admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion;
recognizing a higher power that can give strength;
examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member);
making amends for these errors;
learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior;
helping others who suffer from the same addictions or compulsions.



Or (substitute camera for alcohol)
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
 
mep said:
You guys read the article?
I saw the accompanying images and went straight to the comments...Entertaining stuff.
Click to expand...

The comments are the sole reason I read Eric Kim's blog. It's certainly not the fabulous photography or the insightful commentary.
 
Gary Sandhu said:
Based on AA :

admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion;
recognizing a higher power that can give strength;
examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member);
making amends for these errors;
learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior;
helping others who suffer from the same addictions or compulsions.



Or (substitute camera for alcohol)
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Click to expand...

Honest question: Are there AA-like programs that don't involve believing this stuff?
 
I've never really tried to justify a camera purchase because I think I need it. I know it's because I want the lovely cameras, nothing to do with my photography.
 
The best ways to cure gas are:

1) stop caring
2) have no money
3) buy everything you've ever wanted
4) dont go into camera stores
5) DON'T USE THE INTERNET
 
edge100 said:
Honest question: Are there AA-like programs that don't involve believing this stuff?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, AA in the UK does not involve the religious aspect like in the United States. There are other groups too, you can find a list on Wikipedia or the like.
 
thegman said:
As I understand it, AA in the UK does not involve the religious aspect like in the United States. There are other groups too, you can find a list on Wikipedia or the like.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I figured there had to be something for folks who just want to stop drinking.
 
Always the two extremes: GAS or one camera one lens... Is it possible that nobody follows the middle way as I believe one should do? Enough cameras to get your picture if one breaks (for me that's two, if two cameras break down than the gods of photography didn't love me that day and a third camera wouldn't solve the problem), enough lenses for what you shot (it could be one lens if you do tabletops but usually it is a bit more than that, for me usually is four lenses, a fast normal prime, a long macro, a shift-tilt normal and a zoom because I am coward) and enough lights and reflectors to set your light as you want and need (again it could be no artificial light at all but usually it is not if you plan to sell what you shot), a tripod and light stands.

More is luxury but less is carelessness and I wouldn't hire a one camera one lens photographer to cover anything, not even a cat's birthday!

By the way, the first Brent Stirton's picture is that of a krokodil (desomorphine) addict from Russia? I have the feeling to have seen that picture in that context but I cannot find it again and cannot remember where to look. Stirton's page also doesn't help much (why very good photographer have so often crappy home-pages?).

GLF
 
I have realized that a cure for this syndrome (not permanent) is an empty bank account. :)

It works 100% all the time!
 
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