Late last month, a bright and glowing orb streaked across the Alaskan sky, interrupting a view of the northern lights. The spinning blue circle was captured by aurora cameras and scientists think they've isolated what the mystery object was.
Photography is a tech-heavy job. Camera companies do a great job of hyping up new gear and creating a fear of missing out. However, very few professionals that I know actually go and splurge on the latest and greatest equipment.
I can’t think of any other profession outside of photography where the pros obsess about their tools quite as much as we do. I’ll pause for a moment so you can write your own joke.
Mirrorless, mirrorless, ah the joys of mirrorless. Isn’t it better than DSLRs in every way possible? It may be. But honestly, I couldn’t care less. While that may sound egoistical, the reason I don’t care is that I’m not upgrading to mirrorless anytime soon.
I have always been interested in technology. When I was a kid, I had a computer very early and I was writing and learning code at around the age of 7 or 8 years old, simple stuff such as making the screen flash different colors -- important skills I have since forgotten. However, from computers to phones to TV systems, I have always embraced technology and I love playing with gadgets.
I recently came across an interesting comment made by a participant in a photography forum: "You should only upgrade your camera only if it’s limiting you, not just because you have the money to."
If you are reading this article, there's a high chance that sooner or later you are going to buy a new camera. And as we all know, photography is not exactly a cheap hobby.
One of the many traps photographers can fall into when seeking to grow in their craft is "gear acquisition syndrome" (GAS) or "gear lust". Wedding photographer Taylor Jackson made this entertaining 7-minute video explaining why gear addition isn't the path toward success in photography.
The third of this month marked two years since I took my first foray into the Sony Alpha Ecosystem. I thought it would be a good idea to look back to see how I’m liking the system and if my views have changed since my 12 month a7 III review.
Despite many (many) articles and advice videos and IG posts on the subject, many beginners still believe that the best thing they can do for their landscape photography is buy a better camera or lens. So here's another reminder from photographer Mark Denney about why this is not the case.
Filmmaker and YouTuber Dave Maze is ending the year on a humorous note. His music video "Gear Guy" is a spot on parody of Billie Eilish' song "Bad Guy," but for photographers and videographers who are all about owning (if not actually using) the best gear.
Photography can be an expensive pursuit, and the cost of things (and the pressure to buy them all, buy them new, and buy them now) can get in the way of putting that money in better places.
I had everything I could ever need, all the dream gear. Broncolor lighting, the latest professional Canon cameras and all the faster canon lenses. I had the latest Apple laptop, tethering equipment, software, c-stands, tripods, light modifiers, Polaroid cameras, all the gear I could have ever dreamed of.
Canadian photographer Taylor Jackson just dropped this new music video for a song titled "Gear Lust." It's about the never-ending desire some photographers have for getting more and more camera gear -- something popularly referred to as Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.).
I have major gear envy syndrome. Every new release seems to bring with it a feature that makes me jealous enough to attempt to justify a ridiculously expensive purchase. But even for those of you happily using your 5-year-old DSLR (I secretly envy you), there is always the question of when to upgrade your camera gear.
Recently I worked on an image of the sand dunes of the Namib. I had woke while it was still dark and made my way to the desert, each foot sinking into the sand as I battled the dunes. Morning had just broken by the time I got my camera out and the sun was so low that it really gave body and form to the landscape.
There is something all-newcomer photographers tend to do: they either dream of camera gear or buy a lot of it. When I started in photography I went through the same thing. I thought that I needed all the lenses that my idols used. I believed I needed the highest megapixel camera, with all the video features just in case a potential client wanted video. But over time, with age came wisdom.
When I first began posting my photos online, I started getting comments like "Wow, you must have a great camera!," or "Anybody can take photos like these with expensive gear," or "I can’t take photos like these because I can’t afford an expensive camera like yours."
I have been a very happy Sony customer for the last 2+ years. My a7R continues to serve me well, but I am inching closer to an upgrade. I know the a7R II is an awesome camera. I've read the reviews. There are photographers I follow and respect who rave about it. I've held it in my hands and it feels good. And there's even the recently rumored a7R III.
Need a little comic relief? Check out this medical ad spoof for Noventus, a pill that will cure you of the dreaded Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS)... as long as you don't mind a little bit of rectal bleeding and an "atrophied sense of self."
I finally found the perfect camera. This camera does everything you could ever need or dream of—from capturing the perfect frame and exposure to developing your skill and photographic eye.
I will probably get a bunch of hate for this article, but whatever. Hopefully, my message will help someone. I realize this site is frequented by enthusiasts, professionals, camera geeks, etc. but this post is pointed more at people that want to make it as a portrait or fashion photographer.
Photography is dangerous. Just editing a photo and getting OK results is enough to get you hooked.
My name is Skyler Adams. I recently wanted to challenge my gear acquisition syndrome, so I decided to shoot with a $1 camera for a month.
Here's the before/after shot I promised yesterday which showcases the not-too-shabby dynamic range and noise control of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. But I don't want to talk about it any longer. Instead, I'd like to say this.
This is one of the more inspirational, down to Earth, GAS busting gear monologs we've seen. Originally published in 2015, this video by DSLRguide's Simon Cade explains exactly why he has no interest in upgrading his trusty Canon T3i to something more popular and powerful.
Some call it gear obsession, you've probably heard it called Gear Acquisition Syndrome (or GAS), but regardless of the name, there's no better time to discuss the dangers (and potential benefits) of suffering from camera gear obsession then the week after Photokina.
“There are plenty of fish in the sea, so don’t settle for a shark” ― Kalvin Valentine
I finally figured it out. You’re all dating your cameras, not married to them.
I shoot with a Sony a6000, a Sigma 19mm f/2.8, and a vintage Helios 44-6. My entire kit cost me less than $500 (second hand) and technically, it sucks.
Artist and photographer Fabian Oefner is constantly working out new and interesting ways to create his art—whether it's splattering paint using a spinning drill bit or 'disintegrating' a car piece by piece. For his latest series 'Corona,' he turned his attention to petrol and achieved unexpectedly beautiful results.
I am addicted to G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). I always want to buy new stuff -- the newest iPad (Epic), cars (Mustang), phone (iPhone 6s or Nexus 6P), clothes (hipster $200+ raw denim), coffee makers ($500+), and tons of other stuff in my Amazon gift list. Here are some practical tips that have helped me (partially) combat G.A.S.
GAS, also known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome, is very common among photographers. It simply means that you just can't get enough new lenses, equipment and upgrade your camera as soon as possible in order to have more options and - according to the seemingly prevalent opinion - become better.
But have you ever thought about the opposite side of this imaginary disease - the Gear Avoidance Syndrome? A syndrome that might even be good for you and your photography. And your wallet.
'What's in Your Bag' posts are popular on major photography websites. National Geographic's PROOF blog even does a unique version where they focus on those things that have meaning, but aren't necessarily gear.
But what about the rest of us? If you're not expecting a call from Nat Geo asking you to reveal the contents of your camera bag any time soon, the website InMyBag gives you a chance to share that with the world and pique your gear envy at the same time.
Thank God, I am now a gear minimalist focused on photography and a big fan of "limitation creativity" (i.e. you are more creative with less)... But here’s the truth, I used to be a huge gear junkie, basically having Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.) as soon as I got a new camera. I had this problem since the very beginning, but now I am cured. In one sense I am trying to help those who know they have G.A.S. to stop having it and trying to prevent others from having it.
This is the story of how I fell in love with photography and how I acquired and defeated gear-acquisition-syndrome.
Tech companies often like to create mini-documentaries featuring creatives who use their products -- last year both Intel and Brother made videos about fashion photographer Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist).