About Gear Acquisition Syndrome in photography.

Do you regularly find yourself researching and buying new camera gear? Do you feel you are just one more lens or camera away of getting out of your photography rut and to take your art to the next level? If so, you may be experiencing Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

What is GAS?

Gear Acquisition Syndrome, commonly known as GAS, refers to a phenomenon wherein photographers develop an insatiable desire to continually acquire new camera equipment and accessories. Musicians and other artists also often suffer from it. This syndrome is driven by the belief that acquiring more gear will lead to improved skills and better results in photography. This belief fuels the compulsion to spend money on gear, even if it may not be necessary or financially feasible. The allure of new gear can be tempting, but it's important to remember that true growth as a photographer comes from honing your skills and developing your creative vision, rather than solely relying on the latest equipment.

My personal experience.

It´s safe to say I´ve had my fair share of gear acquisition syndrome in my journey as a photographer. I had a couple of points and shoots when growing up which at the time were enough. Since I started more seriously investing time in photography as a hobby 3.5 years ago, I have spent countless hours researching and contemplating the next camera body or lens that I "need" to add to my collection. To this day I have owned 37 different cameras none of which have magically transformed me into a better photographer. Despite the allure of new gear, I have come to realize that true growth and improvement in photography come from honing my skills and developing my creative vision. Not exactly surprising news but a valuable lesson that every photographer should learn.

I´ve had anything from over a 100 year old Kodak No. 1 medium format pocket camera to modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras like Nikon Z5. Though I appreciate the merits of my equipment, I now just see them as tools to achieve an end, not an end unto itself. All the cameras I´ve bought were to be used as means to express my creativity and capture moments, rather than simply collecting them. Still most of them were there just to fill a void in my photography journey and provide me with new capabilities or features that I convinced myself I needed.

How to get over GAS?

Great ways to get out of the gear acquisition syndrome and focus on developing your creative vision include: focus using minimal gear and exploring the potential of the equipment you already have, pushing yourself to experiment with different techniques and styles, seeking inspiration from other photographers and artists, and taking the time to reflect on your own work and identify areas for improvement. By shifting your mindset from gear-centric to skill-centric, you can fully embrace the true essence of photography and unlock your potential as a creative storyteller.

Everyone has their own journey.

Being a collector is fine and it´s not bad to own lot of cameras per se but as a photographer the key is to keep your focus making pictures rather than just endlessly investing in gear. It´s alright to be on a journey to find the right gear that feels good to use and suites your needs as a photographer. However, it's crucial to be mindful of falling into the trap of constantly chasing after the latest and greatest equipment for the sake of owning it. By focusing on your skills and artistic vision, rather than fixating on gear, you can truly grow as a photographer and create meaningful and impactful images. Sure the different gear and work flows on different formats like film and digital can help you develop your own unique style, but it ultimately comes down to how you use the tools at your disposal.

You don´t have to be rich person to make some good photos. Buy the camera you can afford and go out and make some pictures. Photography is about storytelling and capturing moments, not about the gear you have.