I have been trying to find a theme for my work for some time now. Nothing jumped out at me. Matt Granger has "Get Your Gear Out", Jerod Polin has "I Shoot Raw" so what should be mine........and then it hit me. "For the Love of Photography". The expression "for the love of god" has been one that I have heard a million times growing up. Always an expression of exasperation. Not believing whatever it was the person was witnessing or being so disgusted by it that the expression was necessary. I love photography. I don't love gear, I don't love software and I sure as hell don't love spending my time with my camera so that I can get a few likes on the interweb. I just love the act of creating images. Sharing them is just a bonus. Do I want people to love my work? Sure, who doesn't, but it's not my motivator. I am at my happiest while wandering, looking for the perfect landscape or the leaf that is just the right color of orange or someone doing something interesting in a place that has meaning to them. Capturing these moments in time is a pure pleasure.
I feel that we have gone far afield in the world of photography. Spending too much time pining away at the newest gear. Cameras are replaced with newer models before you have time to master the one you just bought. Technology is improving at an amazing rate but does that mean that you have to have the latest and greatest first? Is doing this going to help you master the craft of photography? I believe that answer is a resounding NO! My old Nikon D70 is a great camera. 6 megapixels, small viewing screen and no movie mode. I am able to still make amazing images with it. I am confident that I will be able to hand that camera to my oldest son in a few years and have him learn the basics/fundamentals of photography by using it.
Do I like new gear? Yes. Do I get G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) sometimes? Another YES! but I have to put on the brakes. I have to think, do I need a new camera or is a new lens a better choice? Maybe I should invest in a class or book or visit a museum or photo gallery. Or maybe I should take a day off from my day job to take photos. These are all things to think about. Sometimes you do need new gear. Your abilities outgrow your equipment and new features are what you NEED, not what you WANT! I get it. I just think we should all take some time and enjoy the process. Learn a new skill with that existing camera. Take a walk with a photo friend and do it "For The Love Of Photography"