Is Photography or Equipment Collection taking over your Life?

[raid]

I wonder how large a role photography (and/or collecting cameras and lenses) is playing in the lives of RFF members. Is it taking over a large portion of your life? How do you balance between social life and this hobby? Are you even trying? Is this a minor hobby for you? Do you sometimes have thoughts about the role of photography in your life? Are you content with whatever you decided to do? Do you have plans to alter things in your life to accomodate photography or vice versa?

I know; I have many questions, but I wonder where you stand on these issues. Forgive me for being nosey.

Raid

[ferider]

It's a major hobby for me and tolerated. But I wouldn't dare to do what you do, Raid, deep respects to your wife and daughters ....

Roland.

[cjm]

For me, it's just means to satisfy my creative desires. It takes a back seat to most things in my life. What I should be doing is lurking on forums less and taking pictures more. Hell, I'm gonna go take some pictures...

[raid]

Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney

Are you setting up a camera-holics intervention group?

Not at all, Brian. Photography has set me free. It opened up a new life for me many years ago. It allowed me to get closer to Mother Nature when I was doing mainly nature photography for many years. It is one of the best things that ever happened to me. When I was very tired during my years of graduate studies at Virginia Tech, and while the war with Iran was ongoing, I needed a way to unwind from the pressure. One evening, I decided to become an excellent photographer. I switched soon afterwards from my Zeiss Contina to a Canon AE1, and started to shoot and shoot film.


The side effect, called GAS, is another issue though.

Raid

[raid]

Originally Posted by ferider

It's a major hobby for me and tolerated. But I wouldn't dare to do what you do, Raid, deep respects to your wife and daughters ....

Roland.

Thank you, Roland. They are tolerating me somehow.

Raid

[Sisyphus]

Is it taking over a large portion of your life?

To some degree it has, it is engrained in my core Being: If I am not photographing, I am looking at photography books, reading writings about photogrpahy, visiting galleres, printing my work, and laying out the trying to edit and sequence the work hanging it around the walls at work, and home.

How do you balance between social life and this hobby? Are you even trying?

This has been and still is difficult to do, but I make point to have a routine for family, friends, and photography. I usually reserve a time after work for friends, evenings for my family, and saturday or sunday for printing in the darkroom, sometimes both days if it is three day weekend.

Yes, I am trying--I try to live a very modest life-style to afford my hobby. I save my money during the year in order to travel during the summer. i often revisit the same places every other year. One project I have been working since 1999, the other since 2004.


Is this a minor hobby for you?

It is pretty serious!

Do you sometimes have thoughts about the role of photography in your life?

All the time!

Are you content with whatever you decided to do?

I am not sure what you mean: Content with decisions about photography or photography projects? Content with work? Content with other things?

I am going to assume you mean photography and photogrpahy projects; It is very frustrating for me sometimes, on so many different levels, from the moments of photographing, to processing film, to selecting images, printing them, and often times being disappointed from what you had in mind compared to the realty of what how the images for a project turned out. I am not content with how little time I get spend in the darkroom, and sometimes the printing sessions lead to disappointing results, which becomes even more frustrating. Recently, I printed about 5 different images, 20x24, and screwed up on the toning, which took me a week to do. I was so upset, i simply mentioned to my wife that I need to reprint everything, and I did the las two days before I went to work. I started around 10am finished at 4:30am, went to sleep, and did it all over again, then went to work.

Do you have plans to alter things in your life to accomodate photography or vice versa?

Yes, I schedule my time around my photography, unless my wife really has something or some social event she wants me to go to, or when she desperately needs a break from our baby. Ok, don't give me hell for this one, but I have on few occasions, brought our baby into the darkroom while I am printing, or when she is taking a nap, when my wife is out. It has worked the few times i have done it, but she is more mobile, so I can't do this anymore.

I know; I have many questions, but I wonder where you stand on these issues. Forgive me for being nosey.

So, I hope this satifies your curiousity? If you are starting a camera-holics group, I won't go, because I know I do not have a problem . . .

Why do you ask?

[raid]

Sisyphus: I expected to see such devotion to photography in the RFF. It is great to read about such a devotion. Thanks for sharing.

Raid

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Photography isn't just something I do for a hobby. It is my entire life. Has been important to me since I was a kid. My fther bought me my first SLR when I was 11 years old but I had been using his for a few yrs before that. I'm 31 yrs old now. I have a degree in Fine arts (photo major, of course) from Indiana University. I've been a professional photographer since I was 16, when I began doing wedding photography, and have since gone on to commercial photography and I'm a professional artist. My work has been in more than 35 exhibits in the last decade, including 2 one man shows and back in November, 2003 Popular Photography did an article about my work. My whole life is photography, I am primarily a fine artist but I do commercial photography, graphic design, and web design to earn a living. I can't imagine doing anything else for a living...anything else would take me too far from photography. I get up every day around 8am and work on my fine art photography or projects for my clients until 2 or 3 am.

I have a 10yr old son and he is the only thing more important to me than my artwork. He lives with his mother in Indiana and i'm fighting for custody of him. When his mom and I were together I spent a lot of my time with him and worked on my photography after he went to bed or when he was at school. I will cut back a lot once he can come live with me.

Chris Crawford
http://www.chriscrawfordphoto.com

[Nando]

I'm relatively new to photography and I do it as a hobby. 3 years into the hobby, 1 year with rangefinders.

Is it taking over a large portion of your life?

Yes. There are good things about this and bad things. The good thing are that it is an escape for me, I'm more physically active as I tend to walk more to take photographs, and I'm rediscovering art. I had a real love and some talent for drawing, painting and music when I was young but as an immigrant's son trying to do good, I gave up those artsy things and concentrated on academics (i.e. English, Science, Math...) and worked to save money for university. I also really find the history of photography and photographic equipment quite fascinating - its a great study.

The bad things - primarily GAS. It is also taking time away from my other passion - automobiles. As for GAS - I got it really bad and I'm starting to get a bit concerned. 3 years ago, I started out with the typical entry level DSLR with wide-normal zoom and a telephoto zoom. I used it for 2 years and I never felt like I needed to upgrade or get anything more than I had. Then, it got stolen. At that time, I loved visiting galleries and studying the works of great photographers. However, I didn't like taking photographs that much. I really wanted to like taking photographs but I didn't because I hated the camera. I turned to rangefinders and that changed. Everything just clicked. A year ago this month I made my first post on RFF requesting suggestions for my first RF body and a 3-lens kit to take to on my upcoming trip to Portugal. I went for a Bessa-T with the CV 21/4, 35/1,7, and 75/2,5. I thought that I would then be "done" for a long time. Well here's the situation now: 4 rangefinder bodies, 1 mechanical SLR, a pinhole camera, 15 lenses plus a ton of accessories. I'm feeling that its too much, too quickly but I take comfort in that I use all my equipment. Right now, I'm just really enthusiastic and I want to learn all I can and try everything possible. Perhaps with time, I'll naturally start gravitating to using just one camera and a small set of lenses. I also spent lots of money on photography books - art books and instructional books.

How do you balance between social life and this hobby?

Photography has enhanced my social life somewhat. Rangefinders are great conversation pieces. Some co-workers that I previously regarded just as colleagues have become good friends once we found a common interest in photography. Sometimes I wouldn't feel like meeting with friends prefering a quiet night at home but now that get-togethers and social events present an opportunity to do some photography, I'm find that I look forward to them more.

Are you even trying?

Yes. I don't have much free time and like I said, photography cuts into my other passion - automobiles. I still attend car shows and other events like I did before - and now armed with a camera. However, it cuts into my time as a moderator on the FordEurope.net forum and also on the time I have to write articles for my motorsport column in "The Universal Car", a newsletter for Ford history buffs. Gear purchases have also cut into my "car funds".

Is this a minor hobby for you?

It was supposed to be but it ballooned into something serious. I know that my photography will never be anywhere close to that of those I admire. Right now, I'm focused on learning as much as I can and practising as much as possible. I make sure that I also enjoy myself as much as possible. For me, the process of photography is currently more important than the final product. Right now, my final products aren't very good. I think that's the reason why I'm really into the gear. The more I enjoy the process the more photographs I will take and hopefully that will translate into becoming a better photographer over time.

Do you sometimes have thoughts about the role of photography in your life?

Yes. I'm grateful, truly grateful for discovering a passion for photography. I think about that all the time.

Are you content with whatever you decided to do? Do you have plans to alter things in your life to accomodate photography or vice versa?

Content, yes.

I have altered things to accomodate photography. Prolonged a few plans for the house and my cars due to financing the gear. I also plan on travelling more.

[rpsawin]

Photography is a dominant force in my life and many of my decisions include the "photo factor", and it is a positive factor. My wife has repeatedly told me I am a better partner and easier to live with since I started taking my photography seriously. Apparently I am calmer and more "focused" (I know...but it fits).

Bob

[rvaubel]

I have always had the photography bug, but the digital rangefinder thing has opened a lot more opportunities to take pictures. I'm a lot more willing to go out on my wifes shopping expeditions as I can take my camera and have some fun. Any excuse at all and I will takre my camera along. I haven't done so much photography since I was a kid. In my youth, hours in the darkroom didn't bother me. But after 50 years of taking pictures, the freedom digital affords one can't be ignored. I am as totally obsessed by the M8, lenses and other gear as I was in the days of the M3, AE1.

The other factor that drives the Equipment fetish part of the hobby, is the rangefinder aspect. The continuity that is possible in the M and screw mount lenses, makes collecting a lot more interesting. Putting some the these antiques on an M8 is a blast. Discovering just how good some of this older equipment is surprises me. You certainly find a lot more M8 users trying older glass than DSLR users. When I was into my Canon DSLR the only glass I wanted was the latest and greatest.

Rex

[FrankS]

Photography is my creative passion, so naturally it consumes a significant part of my life.

[wlewisiii]

There are three aspects to my world - work, photography & family. I struggle with how to make the appropriate balance (12.5%, 12.5% & 75%, in that order ) but in the end, I just guestimate it like everyone else. In the end... isn't that the thing?

Still, I do what I can to make things better. On silly rare occasions it even looks like I might have done so...

William

[wintoid]

The funds for my camera collection came from the sale of my musical equipment. When my daughter arrived, I had no money for luxuries, no room in my flat, and no time to make music. I converted one hobby into another because photography is very compatible with family life. A couple of clicks here and there is not very time consuming, and the films are developed after she goes to bed.

My daughter is now one of those "most photographed" children, and I'm glad to say she still enjoys being photographed. I suppose one day that will stop and I will have a problem on my hands

I make no bones about my meagre artistic skills, but love playing with the toys, and all my cameras get used regularly. I *think* I've gradually become a better photographer, although by no means as good as most here on RFF. Despite that, I do enjoy watching what little talent I have emerge It's nice to experience achievement in a non-competitive way.

At the end of the day, the most important aspect of this multi-faceted hobby is the preservation of my family's memories, and that is intrinsically compatible with family life.

[raid]

"At the end of the day, the most important aspect of this multi-faceted hobby is the preservation of my family's memories, and that is intrinsically compatible with family life."


This is the main reason that justifies to me these days what I am doing with my hobby. I leave behind some nice photos of my wife and two daughters.

Raid

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

I never was a collector. Although there is always a reason to build up another camera system.
Nowadays social life and photography get together. I'm doing a project on family resemblance and recruit the subjects on anniversary parties.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

[landsknechte]

I'm an artist and a historian. That is my life. That's who I am. I collect vintage cameras as a tangible bit of history that crosses into my art. That's why I enjoy shooting rangefinders, and using the vintage cameras that can still be used. I'll never be a collector of modern photographic gear, it just doesn't interest me outside of my immediate utilitarian needs. Modern cameras are tools to me, while vintage gear has a certain fetishistic flair.

[vha]

Think I can say Photography is a part of my lifestyle, something i do during a day on the same level as other things .. at least been so the last 10 years.
Also been working with photography the last 10 years, probably a connection there

About collecting, think I lack the funding and space for that.. .

vha

[maddoc]

... Photography is somehow like the backbone of my life. Either taking photos, or reading books about photography, or going to exhibitions, or .... It is not my profession (I am scientist at a research institute) but I carry a camera nearly every day with me, trying to document what happens around here. It became that intensive and important for me after I went to Japan. I don't have a family, no car, no other expensive or time-consuming hobbies, so I can afford more (expensive) gear then neccessary for my level of photography. Having some Leicas and Leica lenses is quite overkill for my photographic skills but .... I am living only now and once so why not trying to make the best out of it ?

[Trawlerman]

Originally Posted by raid

I wonder how large a role photography (and/or collecting cameras and lenses) is playing in the lives of RFF members. Is it taking over a large portion of your life? How do you balance between social life and this hobby? Are you even trying? Is this a minor hobby for you? Do you sometimes have thoughts about the role of photography in your life? Are you content with whatever you decided to do? Do you have plans to alter things in your life to accomodate photography or vice versa?

I know; I have many questions, but I wonder where you stand on these issues. Forgive me for being nosey.

Raid

Photography plays a big part in my social life right now. I work in Security and it gives me an outlet and allows me to wind down after work.

Although I spend as much time as possible taking photos and learning as much as I can, my job and responsibilities come first and foremost. Without work I can't afford to take photo's and buy camera gear. I have a pretty good balance right now.

I do sometimes think about the role of Photography in my life and I think it's a good part. It keeps me from thinking about my health problems and my debt problems and the everyday crap that goes on. Right now I can see an end to some of my personal problems in the very near future (>12 months away) and am considering going to college to study phtogrpahy and art with a view to changing my career.

Eventually I would like to set up as an industrial/marine photographer photographing shipping and industrial landscapes. How feasible that would be is debatable but I think I could it and make it pay even if it were only on a part-time basis.

I'm through with working my arse off for very little gain. It's in doing just that very thing that caused me my health problems in the beginning by working ridiculous hours. In the future i'm going to do something that I enjoy rather than something that just keeps the roof over my head.

[raid]

I am glad to see that a better future is waiting for you, Mitch. I started this thread not implying that a "photography take-over" is negative; just the opposite. It can be a very positive take-over.

Raid

[emraphoto]

an interesting question... gear collecting and gear talking was taking over my life in a terrible way. i have taken photo's seriously for 15-20 years. real seriously for the last ten. worked in a studio, learnt lighting. worked for a wedding photog, learnt weddings. concentrated on gallery work, sold some work in gallery's. worked as a stringer, learnt that media folks make sh*t money and the work kinda sucks. shot on 120, 35mm, 4x5, 5x7 and digital. hung out with folks that talk, dream, eat photography and gear. gear, gear, gear. buying, selling renting, buying. it got real crazy... real crazy. contax, leica, hasselblad etc. etc. etc. so much time and effort was spent on gear.
then i had an epiphany!
recently actually...

yesterday i sold my last bit of dslr gear. it's all gone... my 645, t4, d1x, m6ttl. today i bought an ricoh gr d. that makes 1 ricoh gr d, 1 epson r-d1 (stuffed away for that "just in case the r-d1s should act up"moment), 1 epson r-d1s, 1 35mm f2.5, 1 50mm 'cron, 1 25mm f4 (the moneys heading your way guy) and that's it. i swear before you all now i will buy nothing more for 24 months. every single ounce of energy i spent on researching, buying, fondling and talking gear will be instead spent on aquiring subject matter, style and breaking all the rules i learnt.

it had to happen...

cheers
john

i still can, of course, live vicariously through you all. and frank's bronica did make me a little weak in the knee's... sorry frank.

[dostacos]

I have had several "all consuming" hobbies over the years, but Photography seems to bind them all together. My Bessa's have opened up a whole new variation of photography.

I plan on staying with rangefinders at least until I find a wheelchair that can get me on the beach then my DSLR will need the canon 70-200ism lens but that is a story for another day

[raid]

Photography has been my main full-time hobby for about twenty years now. It kept me out of trouble, as they say. I did so much photography [and associated traveling] when I started my career as a Professor that a senior Professor referred to me as the new guy who will not cut it due to "his traveling". This turned out to be untrue. I balanced between my time consuming work at the university and my full-time hobby. No regrets. I feel that photgraphy has enriched my life.

Raid

[Keith]

I realised today as I was packing my cameras for my house move how much they mean to me ... each camera carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a large plastic storage container for the journey ... it was all a bit tedious really ... but I do love them!