GAS – I’m An Addict
Do you suffer from GAS – Gear Acquisition Syndrome? It’s a terrible addiction to have. I have been addicted all my life, and in 2020, during the Pandemic, I began some serious rehab. It wasn’t easy. My wife was my sponsor and encouragement, as all good partners should be. Rehab hurt. It was hard and challenging to say goodbye to all the camera gear I knew I needed. Have you suffered from the same addiction? I know I am not alone.
What is it with camera gear? Why do we like it so much? Why must I have the latest and greatest? It doesn’t make me a better photographer. Maybe it’s the buttons, dials, lenses, and just the satisfying feel of hanging it around your neck. Now, I don’t need that. I make sound decisions when purchasing new gear. I have taken the emotion out of it (somewhat).
It’s not necessary to upgrade each time a new model comes out. Back in the film days, we would hold onto cameras for a decade or more before even considering an upgrade. All the cameras available today take great images. They aren’t changing all that much with each new model. No one is keeping score of what you made your image with. No customer who purchased my work has asked what camera I used or how many megapixels.
I have been creating some of my best work off the iPhone lately. I can’t wait for the iPhone 15. Wait, have I moved from GAS to PAS? I do upgrade to each new iPhone when it comes out. Not because it does a better job taking calls or sending messages, but I do it for the new camera. That will be a topic for another story, maybe later this week after Tuesday’s announcement of the latest iPhone. To tell you the truth, I am looking forward to the iPhone launch on Tuesday. I’ll be watching it live.
For now, I am happy with the gear I have. I get out and take photographs as often as I can. I am focusing on making better images and don’t need the latest equipment to do that.
Sad News
You may remember back in July, I published a story and an interview with Stephan Starkman. He had just published a book, The Proximity Of Mortality. I am sorry to report that Stephan lost his battle with cancer this past week. He passed away with his family there peacefully and without pain. It’s a sad story these days as I have personally now lost several good friends to cancer. It reminds me each day to live life to the fullest. My interview with Stephan touched me in many ways, and I admired his courage and determination to get the most out of life he could. Stephan, you will be missed but not forgotten.
Video (7:30)
Kevin Raber
September 2023
Elevate Your Vision
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