Photography has always been a mirror of its time, but the digital age has transformed it from a tool of documentation into a weapon of self-delusion. The camera, once used to capture reality, now serves primarily to manufacture it. What we photograph, how we photograph it, and why we photograph it reveals a society that has lost touch with authentic experience, commodified human connection, and replaced genuine accomplishment with the performance of success.
I’m not a photography guy (browsing all while I wait on a 2am Uber so I’m not out driving drunk) but GAS is huge in musician circles. I remember when I was younger I wanted one of every guitar, one of every pedal, one of every amp… Eventually I realized I could get credible results with a handful of guitars, a few decent amps, and one intentionally curated pedalboard.
I still have a pile but that’s because I’m building and not acquiring these days.
I imagine it’s a little different in photography circles since there’s probably no good way to build new lenses with solder, a box of components, and a bad idea. However, I wanted to reach out both in solidarity (I know how you feel) and to let people feeling behind the 8 ball right now gear wise know that it’s not just them. A lot of us with gear heavy creative endeavors have felt the same way.
Those photographers shoot film, and develop their own images in a hastily thrown together darkroom in their home :)
A big step is to realize that you’re just falling for marketing. Tech media, including music and photography tech, is one big advertisement and the industry serves itself, not you. This usually doesn’t dawn until you’ve bought some of the things the journalists get breathless about and discovered that the gear is OK but not earth shattering, and you still have the same creative challenges as before.
Oh absolutely! Shoot (or play, or draw, or whatever) on what you have. Get it to that 80% range of the professional output you see/hear. Then start looking at targeted upgrades.
But younger folks with wide eyes (including myself when I was that age) are sure that one more sensor or one more tube will get them where they need to go.
Spend enough to get something credible so you’re not fighting the gear and learn it end to end. Spend the money you would have spent on gear on experiences instead. Or put it in an account for better gear once you learn what each piece does.
Honestly I always hated that advice when I was young. But it would have saved me enough to buy some really really nice stuff when I was actually ready for it. Or put a down payment on a house.
@Leavingoldhabits@lemmy.world for example modded a scanner to be a camera: https://lemmy.world/post/18023559
There’s also abundant experimentation with pinhole cameras such as https://lemmy.world/search?q=pinhole+camera&type=All&listingType=All&page=1&sort=TopAll
Or homemade light-sensitive materials even. (though i haven’t seen that here yet)
just thought you might be interested :)
Absolutely I am! That’s so fucking cool. I love when folks build things out of bad ideas and gumption for creative endeavors