Is it just me, or am i weird?

[redisburning]

for me it's important to enjoy both the process and the output.

I like scanning though. I put one some music and edit them as I scan more. It's my version of printing. And my scans are more than good enough to print 8x10s and 11x14s so if I really wanted to I guess I could.

 

[seakayaker1]

. . . . . if it makes you happy and brings you joy, how can it be weird?

You say it is wrong for many reasons? Why?

From your description it sounds like you are quite happy when out and about and pushing the shutter release!

 

[Spanik]

You're not alone and by extention neither am I 😀 At least you use your cameras, not like collectors that just put them on a shelf. I don't even get as far as scanning the results. They're not worth the time spend on it.

 

[froyd]

You, sir, are a bon vivant. I bet you also enjoy eating more for the pleasure of it than just taking in calories, and drinking alcohol for the taste of it, more than getting a buzz.

Continue to enjoy the good things in life. If you need a technically competent image take out the latest digital wizbangmaching, if you want to have fun, take out whatever camera makes you happy, be it a Lomo or a Leica.

 

[goo0h]

I've lately realize that I go through moods: at times just enjoying the click of the shutter, the advance of the film, and the handling of the camera. No particular output in mind.

Other times I'm much more into the situation, the moment, and really don't think about the gear, but the event that I'm following photographic.

Sometimes we walk. Sometimes we run. And sometimes we barely crawl.

 

[FrankHarries]

I always have about 5 cams loaded with film and there is no week without taking some pictures. I develop film at least once a month and scan the negs, mostly setting just 1200dpi for faster scanning and to be able to have a first glance. There are only few I rate worth printing, some more that I like, but it has been about 1 1/2 year that I got the trays out to make some prints. I love cameras, love to use them - like walking around with that certain look at things, peaople and surroundings - but sitting in a dark space for hours is not really my thing although I can enjoy a decent print. So: yes, I think it's kind of weird but not insane, and no, you are not alone ...

 

[Richard G]

Immersion in the process of seeing and judging and taking the photograph, and especially with a nice camera, are indeed a very important part of the work of photography. I realized this during certain stressful periods of my life in the last five years. Just being out with the Leica, looking at the light, considering the shutter speed required against the aperture available. I have not reached Winogrand territory, exposing rolls of film and not getting them developed. I was struck very much by Barnwulf's signature here, a quote from Giacometti the sculptor: "I no longer work for anything other than the sensation I have while working."

 

[L David Tomei]

I recently saw a film on TV here about a young photographer in the war zone in Sarajevo who finally decided he wasn't interested in the images he took but rather just the act of shooting with the camera on the streets, seeing the world through the constraints of a viewfinder, shoot and move on. He finally just left the film out and went around shooting with the empty camera. Apparently the writer was familiar with this and I can understand it when I peak into my frig and see all the un-developed film. Not uncommon behaviour at all. David

 

[yanchep_mike]

Thank You All and everyone, i did not think that there is so many of us.
I for one certainly feel better about it, and just keep shooting. Have not developed the 2 rolls from the weekend, but will load up the Kiev again for the rest of the week. Might go for a ride to Fremantle on Saturday with my F2 its loaded for over a month now.
While there is film (any type) all is well.
thanks again.

 

[jsrockit]

I recently saw a film on TV here about a young photographer in the war zone in Sarajevo who finally decided he wasn't interested in the images he took but rather just the act of shooting with the camera on the streets, seeing the world through the constraints of a viewfinder, shoot and move on. He finally just left the film out and went around shooting with the empty camera. Apparently the writer was familiar with this and I can understand it when I peak into my frig and see all the un-developed film. Not uncommon behaviour at all. David

I would say this person's behaviour is very uncommon. Not many would risk there life just to see through a viewfinder while pretending to take photos.

 

[L David Tomei]

You're right. But then, I put myself in the writer's position and it's interesting that the act of shooting an empty camera is something that can be viewed as somehow satisfying, leaving out the fact that it was in a war-zone. Then again, putting your life on the line with an empty camera isn't a hell of a lot different than carving the back roads of Mendocino at 140mph on a Ducati.

 

[noisycheese]

Is it just me, or am i weird?
I like to take pictures but not really for the pictures sake but i like to use the camera and all the equipment which comes with it.
I just like to use the camera, i am not a collector only have about 50 cameras and or bodies. I actually use them depending on the mood i am in.

I will develop the film and make a contact sheet via my Epson v700, but then i loose interest and very seldom do a proper scan with the Plustek.

I know this is wrong for many reasons, Photography is about the Image, Sorry not for me it is about using the equipment, once i push the shutter release it is done,

Am i actually strange or am i not alone?

There are many ways of participating in the photographic arts and enjoying the process.

Since you are not harming any human or animal in the process of your photographic endeavors, I see nothing "wrong" or "weird" about your way of enjoying photography and the tools of photography.

BUT: I would have to say that you are indeed a camera collector, one who actually uses his cameras.

Regarding being a camera collector - there are many things much worse that a person could be.

 

[L David Tomei]

"Regarding being a camera collector - there are many things much worse that a person could be." - noisycheese

I'm a collector of old cameras that receive care and restoration as much as I can. I'm a photographer with an old D70 DSLR. My collection will hopefully be in the hands of those who are children today or yet to be born. Those cameras were the dreams and aspirations of many who worked hard and for every old camera sitting on my shelf, I search for the history, the story behind each one because it is worth preserving. I am saddened when I read comments about collectors being somehow an obsessive subculture not worthy to be called photographers. Perhaps most comments are made with some humor. Some are not.

 

[Jamie123]

I am saddened when I read comments about collectors being somehow an obsessive subculture not worthy to be called photographers.

Well but camera collectors are part of an obsessive subculture (any kind of collecting is obsessive) and it is also true that being a camera collector doesn't make anyone a photographer. But this doesn't mean that being a camera collector makes anyone less of a serious photographer. Taking pictures and collecting cameras are just two different things. They're not mutually exclusive. Often they correlate but not always.

 

[Never Satisfied]

Sorry Mike, you are just like me and there fore ... weird.

 

[L David Tomei]

Perhaps my main objection to the label "obsessive" lies in the fact that it is negative. The colloquial use of the term is simply an exaggeration that has come into common use and the meaning of the word becomes obscured. However, "obsessive" means that a person is preoccupied with something and unable to control her or his impulses, in this instance, to collect more old cameras. The vast majority of camera collectors are simply not obsessive as is the case with photographers in general. The legal and medical meaning of obsessive involves a lack of control coming close and often crossing over into mental illness. When I was working on advances in digital imaging, my patents and publications were examples of a passion and dedication to a scientific field, not an obsession with it. My many old cameras reflect a similar deeply felt interest in technology and history. If I ever do slip over the edge into obsession, I'll ask my psychiatrist to make a note on RFF.

 

[Fraser]

Is it just me, or am i weird?
I like to take pictures but not really for the pictures sake but i like to use the camera and all the equipment which comes with it.
I just like to use the camera, i am not a collector only have about 50 cameras and or bodies. I actually use them depending on the mood i am in.

I will develop the film and make a contact sheet via my Epson v700, but then i loose interest and very seldom do a proper scan with the Plustek.

I know this is wrong for many reasons, Photography is about the Image, Sorry not for me it is about using the equipment, once i push the shutter release it is done,

Am i actually strange or am i not alone?

Probably when it comes to film cameras I'm in the same boat as you, I don't think you are in the minority, I think this maybe the start of something some kind of group that we can admit to liking cameras😉

 

[Jamie123]

Perhaps my main objection to the label "obsessive" lies in the fact that it is negative. The colloquial use of the term is simply an exaggeration that has come into common use and the meaning of the word becomes obscured. However, "obsessive" means that a person is preoccupied with something and unable to control her or his impulses, in this instance, to collect more old cameras. The vast majority of camera collectors are simply not obsessive as is the case with photographers in general. The legal and medical meaning of obsessive involves a lack of control coming close and often crossing over into mental illness. When I was working on advances in digital imaging, my patents and publications were examples of a passion and dedication to a scientific field, not an obsession with it. My many old cameras reflect a similar deeply felt interest in technology and history. If I ever do slip over the edge into obsession, I'll ask my psychiatrist to make a note on RFF.

I would agree that the label "obsessive" has negative connotations but I wouldn't go as far as you. You seem to be referring to obsessive-compulsive disorder and I believe that not being able to control oneself is the compulsive part. The latin root word "obsidere" is translated as to besiege/occupy/take possession of so I wouldn't say the colloquial use is any less valid than the medical or legal one. I think colloquially it's usually just used for someone that is very (sometimes overly) passionate about a certain thing. It can become compulsive and quite often with collectors it does but it doesn't have to.
Do I think collecting is a good thing? Not really. If I were to write a book on how I think one should ideally live one's life I would probably not give the accumulation of things much importance. Do I collect stuff? Sure. I have a small collection of photo books. And I would also regard my taking pictures as an act of collecting.
To me collecting is a bit like drinking. In moderation it can bring me a lot of joy without harming me but I try not to overdo it.

 

[noisycheese]

Perhaps my main objection to the label "obsessive" lies in the fact that it is negative. The colloquial use of the term is simply an exaggeration that has come into common use and the meaning of the word becomes obscured. However, "obsessive" means that a person is preoccupied with something and unable to control her or his impulses, in this instance, to collect more old cameras. The vast majority of camera collectors are simply not obsessive as is the case with photographers in general. The legal and medical meaning of obsessive involves a lack of control coming close and often crossing over into mental illness. When I was working on advances in digital imaging, my patents and publications were examples of a passion and dedication to a scientific field, not an obsession with it. My many old cameras reflect a similar deeply felt interest in technology and history. If I ever do slip over the edge into obsession, I'll ask my psychiatrist to make a note on RFF.

Can't a person be obsessive without being pathological in the psychiatric sense? I think so. But maybe I'm wrong (been wrong before, probably will be wrong again).

Obsession can be harnessed and directed in a constructive way that results in positive outcomes.
No Olympic gold medal was ever won by someone who really didn't care one way or the other if they won the gold.
No Lombardi trophy was ever won by a football team who thought it would be "sort of nice" to win the Super Bowl.
Without positive constructive obsession, the world would not know the names of Da Vinci, Beethoven, Mozart, Einstein, Cartier-Bresson and Muhammad Ali.

I could go on but everyone probably gets my point.

 

[csxcnj]

Not weird at all. I love the equipment as much as I love shooting.
When I get a new fly reel I'll just sit there and hold it, turn the handle...
When I get a new (antique) woodworking plane I'll sit there and hold it, look at it.....
I love the gear as much as what the gear is used for....