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I currently own five working cameras (a full-frame DSLR, 2 vintage film SLRs, and 2 compact point and shoot cameras) and I taste for more but over the years, I’ve come to understand that the more the gear doesn’t directly equate to better work (let that not be mistaken for ease of workflow though).
I’ve been photographing professionally for just over three years now and quite honestly, it is the best feeling in the world. The ability to create images or freeze moments in time is a gift I’m ever grateful for and well, I’ve been crazy obsessed with collecting the finest (that I can afford) gear possible to be able to do this with and that’s where G.A.S comes in. Gear Acquisition Syndrome otherwise known as G.A.S is a plague on the photography community, almost every photographer I know has some variant of it and it’s not exactly a bad thing; the quest of wanting a new gear isn’t bad but blaming your lack of progress on your lack of a specific gear is where the problem.
According to Otome Onoge; “Your ability to create isn’t based on the equipment you have in hand but based on what you can conceive and ability to execute”. Getting the latest gear doesn’t drastically change your work, it will ease your workflow and help you achieve certain results faster but as for a dramatic overhaul from good to amazing, that work is required on your path as the photographer.
Also, some blame should also go to manufacturing companies and advertising agencies. The illusion they create fuels the desire to also want something new and while we recognize it is their job and they’re profit-oriented, it would be nice to get a break every now and then.
Recognizing that you can still create magic with the gear you have at hand is the spur that is mostly needed to recognize and conquer (or manage) G.A.S. Do you have any tips on managing Gear Acquisition Syndrome? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.
