Poll: Gear vs. Good photos

[Mike Tobias]

So I made a new years resolution this year, that for every piece of gear I buy, I have to get rid of two. It's been slightly painful, although I know in the end I'll never miss any of the things I'm giving up, and it also is forcing me to be much more conscious of the new gear I pick up. In years past, when I didn't have as much gear I spent more time making greater numbers and better photos, and I'm trying to get back to that simplicity. I'm just introducing this poll because I'm curious what others experience of gear vs. photos has been. I should clarify that what I mean by "getting more gear" in this case means collecting gear that you don't "need" but "want", or gear that's redundant to what you already have (without getting rid of your existing gear). Has more gear changed the way you do photography, or has it remained the same?

Mike

[rdenney]

1. My photos have never gotten worse as a result of new acquisitions. They have not necessarily gotten better, and on some occasions they became more scarce. Often, they have gotten better, or at least more interesting to me.

2. I enjoy collecting camera equipment (and other interesting machinery) for its own sake.

3. I'm glad I do not have to justify owning anything that I own, as long as I fulfill my general responsibilities in this world.

Rick "who didn't move back into large-format photography to make greater numbers of photos" Denney

[csant]

The poll options are correct, but the poll question is flawed. I voted the 1st option since that is what has happened - but I am very sure that the photographs did not get better because I got new gear. The two parts of the statement are unrelated.

"Got more gear last year, I grew older, my photos got better"

[Curt]

I have come to terms with the equipment to quality connection. Ask the question how much equipment just sits unused. It is easy to evolve into a collector.

[rphenning]

got rid of gear last year. Sold a HEAP of digital junk and switched back to film.

[Dave Jeffery]

"It's been slightly painful, although I know in the end I'll never miss any of the things I'm giving up"

Yes you are so right! I got rid or my wife's gear, and my wife, and my photography has improved by a magnitude.

[jb7]

between this topic and the cliche thread, I'm beginning to wonder if forums are the problem...

[jnantz]

gear is just a distraction

[BradS]

sold some gear. bought some gear. gained ten pounds. changed films. started doing 8x10.
quality of photos unchanged.
quantity of photos definitely decreased.

[gevalia]

The poll options are correct, but the poll question is flawed. I voted the 1st option since that is what has happened - but I am very sure that the photographs did not get better because I got new gear. The two parts of the statement are unrelated.

"Got more gear last year, I grew older, my photos got better"

I agree.