A 'good' addiction?

[Hsg]

Most photographers are addicted to some degree with photography gear and accessories. A majority celebrate this 'addiction' and see it as something positive, just another part of a hobby, some resent it, and some are completely unaware that they're addicted.

What is an addiction? Addiction is being dependent on a source for pleasure. The important word being 'dependent', which means, being tethered to or even being enslaved to, in the case of photography, photo gear etc..

Personally I don't see being dependent as something 'good', so there is no such a thing as a 'good' addiction, as far as I'm concerned... I resent my own thoughts of what camera to buy and so on, because it does feel like an addiction, I don't want to buy another camera, because I don't need one. I'm sure every addict feels that way, but they can't stop.

Anyway, do you consider yourself addicted to photography gear and accessory, and if yes, do you consider that addiction as something 'good' or 'bad'?

 

[JRminox]

Feeling guilty to have pleasure?
A shrink can cure addictions like photography and also empty your wallet a lot faster.

 

[Addy101]

I am addicted to oxygen, I consider it a good thing 😱

The difference between an addiction and an hobby is usually subtle. Also, "gear addiction" is quite different from alcoholism, drug addiction or game addiction, much less destructive and easier to stop with.

Anyway, do you consider yourself to be a gear addict?

 

[btgc]

When you find yourself selling family valuables to buy another lens, you are in trouble.

 

[Ljós]

I guess that makes "One camera one lens one year" the equivalent of going cold turkey ;-)

 

[jsrockit]

I love photography and you need a camera(s) to do it, so why would I feel gulity for trying to be productive with something?

 

[Richard G]

You have a point. I had a bit of holiday from RFF for a month or two and haven't bought a thing for six months.

 

[Scrambler]

There are official definitions of addiction, and "being dependent on a source for pleasure" isn't even close. Try http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/terminology/definition1/en/

Can gear collection be an addiction? - possibly.

The measure of how severe an addiction is - what have you had to give up to maintain the addiction?

Mind you, I recall a quote that goes "Success in life is easy: all you need to do is decide what you want, and what you will give up to get it."

You call it "addiction," I call it "success."

 

[goamules]

That's what I was going to say. Addictions usually cause someone a problem with their normal life. I.E. they start to perform poorly at their job, or their family relationships decline, or they lose ambition to do anything else. Since hobbies are usually a stress relief they often help with your career. Families usually enjoy the hobby too. And hobbies often give a stagnant life a new purpose.

So to answer your question; no, I'm not addicted. This is my hobby, and like all things I do, I do them with a lot of energy and success. Nothing wrong with that.

But if you are talking about people that buy 35mm gear over and over trying to find the perfect one, always getting psych'd up before each purchases, then a few months later complaining about it, experiencing a big letdown, until they can buy again, I think those mind sets are somewhat problematic. The goal of "I need the perfect camera so I can make the pictures I need to" is hindering, because it's not the camera that makes perfect pictures. The alternate goal of "I like [Nikon...Leica] lenses, and want to try them all!" is a positive mind set.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Most of local guys I know are able to finish basements in their houses.
And fix brakes in their cars. I have no gift for it.
So, periodically, I'll buy old camera and make it works again.
And then I could show it to guys and gals to remind them what I'm not hopeless in handyman department. 🙂

 

[Hsg]

Addiction is when you do something for no other reason other than how it makes you 'feel'.

 

[jsrockit]

Addiction is when you do something for no other reason other than how it makes you 'feel'.

So, anything you do for pleasure is an addiction?

 

[Lauffray]

I'd say it's probably the opposite, how would your life be without that thing you'r holding on to. Would you carry on as before ?
Or are you so attached to it that it's affecting virtually every other aspect of your life, from relationships to work to health to finances etc

 

[Hsg]

So, anything you do for pleasure is an addiction?

Not if you can live without that pleasure by not feeling any pain.

If you feel pain by not being able to satisfy a pleasure, buy this or that camera, you're addicted.

 

[burancap]

When you find yourself selling family valuables to buy another lens, you are in trouble.

What happens if "family valuables" are lenses?

 

[jsrockit]

Funny, I just buy the camera, go use it, have fun, make images, and not stress about this stuff.

 

[rpsawin]

Funny, I just buy the camera, go use it, have fun, make images, and not stress about this stuff.

Ahhh, clearly you are cheating yourself of the fullness of the experience. By avoiding guilt and angst you are left only with enjoyment..what a pity.

 

[rfaspen]

I am indeed addicted to oxygen, exercise, and positive life experiences.
My photo gear is an enabler -- I get out. I breathe air. I meet people (new people and old friends). I have positive experiences with my photography. I also have disappointments and occasional negative experiences....another critical aspect of living a full life.

How can my addiction (in particular to photography and its trappings) be a bad thing? Money is the only sticking point, but if I cannot afford something, I do without. Its not hard. I have many, many cameras and lenses that I picked up for very low prices at yard sales, swap meets (boot sales for those of you in UK) and thrift shops. They all work great and make wonderful images -- on the cheap. How lucky I am to be able to afford some of the more spendy items of *want*. (I love my Zeiss lenses for what they do for me 🙂 )

Maybe the question should be: Does your photo/gear addiction cause you serious problems in life? How many of us are spending the paycheck on another summicron instead of food for the family?

 

[YYV_146]

My belief is that my understanding of equipment (and purchases, to a limited extent) have made me a better photographer. The art is never fully separate from the technique, the technique almost always aligned with the technical.

Of course, many people have created amazing work on the cheapest gear. But how would you know what really suits you without trying both the best and worst?

 

[pete hogan]

My photography has many negatives.