The Addiction of Photography

Hi,
My name is Kevin and I am an Addict. Here is my story, please share yours!

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you?
2. Is it getting worst?
3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out?
4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography?
5. What are you enjoying shooting most?
6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into?
7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography?
8. Are you just shooting as a hobby or as a Pro. (Accepting others money to shoot them)?
+++++++++++++++

1. While I was into my previous hobby of Home Theater back in 2009, a Canon XTi + Kit lens listed for $300 in Classified section of AV123’s Forum (no longer exist). I picked it up and that was how it began to get into my blood.

2. Since then, it’s only getting worst: I’ve moved from XTi to 40D (x2) after 2 months then 50D (x2) and currently with a 50D and 5D2 (for now). As for lens, I think I’ve cycle through about 25 lens so far.

3. It isn't flat out just yet for me b/c I keep hearing great things about the 5D3.
4. I enjoy shooting everything as long as it involves photography.
5. I love shooting wedding as it is most challenging (IMO)
6. I want to get into shooting more Wildlife and Sport.
7. Yes, I think I am a Gear Head beside loving photography
8. It was all starting as a hobby and now I walk, eat, sleep, dream, think, talk & advertise photography Bus.

A small number of photographers are interested in the craft because they enjoy the challenge of creating images, and want to test their talents to create images that express their views of life and the world. Others are enraptured by gadgets and equipment and want the feeling of importance that photo equipment gives them. And, a fortunate (extreme) few have discovered how to make money from photographs.

It started for me in 2006 when a friend lent me his Canon Powershot. First time having manual controls on a camera and I got obsessed with long exposures. A few months later, I got a Canon Rebel XT and there was no looking back.

In 6 years, the obsession has gone away a few times. Usually when I didn't have time to travel and use it. But it always comes back.

Hi,
My name is Chris and I am an Addict. Here is my story,

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you?
2008 I got bitten by a DigitalSLR and realized capturing what I see and being able to go back to it w/o hours in a dark room became enjoyable again
2. Is it getting worst?
Yes, I have often time thought of quitting my nice paying job to go back to school to pursue a career in photojournalism or cinematography.
3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out?
It's as flat out as all my other hobbies (meaning it consumes copious amount of my money and I have no problem with that). Didn't take long.
4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography?
I enjoy wildlife and sports the most. Trying to work on street as I travel a lot for my job
5. What are you enjoying shooting most?
Getting out and enjoy nature again and being able to capture my emotions and vision through a lens
6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into?
I like to get better a landscapes
7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography?
I enjoy the engineering and techy ness behind photography but not a gear head.
8. Are you just shooting as a hobby or as a Pro. (Accepting others money to shoot them)? hobby, I'd never consider myself a Pro unless I made a living off it in which case then I would be a professional only if stable.

Cheers,

Tigerkn wrote in post #15104174
...1. While I was into my previous hobby of Home Theater back in 2009, a Canon XTi + Kit lens listed for $300 in Classified section of AV123’s Forum (no longer exist). I picked it up and that was how it began to get into my blood....

Kevin, you are just lucky you never bought one of Mark Schifter's Leicas...You'd probably still be waiting for it to ship.

mpix345 wrote in post #15105023
Kevin, you are just lucky you never bought one of Mark Schifter's Leicas...You'd probably still be waiting for it to ship.

After a ton of research, I picked up Rosewood Rocket RS850 Signature + Bigfoot + RS300 & UFW12. When the MFW15 came out I picked a pair to replace the UFW12. I ended up with just keep 1 MFW15 because it is plenty and still happy with the whole setup till today. I had my eyes on the Mini and LS series but Photography addiction took over around that time... .

Do you own any AV123 Rocket stuffs Mpix345?

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you? When I picked a compact digital camera

2. Is it getting worst? Inbetween good and bad, there are some moments I wished I never took a particular commission, lol

3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out? Not really, don't want it to be flat out, I like other types of photography

4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography? I wish, lol

5. What are you enjoying shooting most? Live music, get to chat up the chicks

6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into? Fashion, glamour and landscape

7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography? I try not to be

8. Are you just shooting as a hobby or as a Pro. (Accepting others money to shoot them)? Semi

Greetings. My name is Alex, and people claim I am an addict, but personally I think they're all just addicted to trying to make me feel bad about my choices in life.

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you?

Summer of 2011. First time in ages I had a steady full time job instead of quarterly based contracts that I had floated through university on. I no longer had to save every penny I could in the event that I didn't get my contract renewed right away, and I didn't have to save oodles of cash for school any more. So I bought a canon T3. It is a toy, and I enjoy playing with it.

2. Is it getting worst?
Likely. I got involved in a few groups based on them giving me something to photograph. I have since upgraded to a 7D to make sports easier. I have not yet invested as much in lenses as I would like to be able to, or in flash gear. But I'm getting there.

3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out?
No, of course not?

4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography?
Not really. I am willing to shoot a lot of things, but the subject has to interest me. I'm not going to rush off to photograph some boring political reception or something.

5. What are you enjoying shooting most?
Sports it seems so far.

6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into?
I'm hoping to spend more time working with friends for more fine arts stuff, and explore light modification more.

7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography?
Of course. But I consider what an item will enable me to do, do better, or work easier, before I invest in it.

8. Are you just shooting as a hobby or as a Pro. (Accepting others money to shoot them)?
Totally a hobby. I will take tips if someone wants, and work a little harder to focus on them, but I'm shooting for myself first and foremost, and to produce images for the community. If a business wants to use something, that is going to be a very different matter. Unless they're small and I really like them.

Hello. My name is Moose, and I'm an addict.

I've alway enjoyed photography, but it started becoming a problem when I got my 40D in the summer of 2008.

I went over the edge when I bought a 100mm f/2.8L macro two years later, thanks to hanging out with the wrong crowd in the macro section of this forum. I enjoy all kinds of photography, but my drug of choice is now shooting bugs.

Am I a hopeless case? I'm selling my Harley to fund a 5DIII and new glass. You tell me.

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you?
I've always liked taking pictures -- it started with a 110 film pink "Le Click" camera in the late 80s when I was a child. In high school, I took some photography classes with a film SLR and learned darkroom techniques. I loved those classes and still have my work in a book -- I wasn't that bad!

Then in college, I kinda fell off with photography -- but only because I could not afford a camera other than my film Olympus Zoom. And somewhere along the line I felt intimidated by photography. I don't know why...I just did.

Got my first real job in 2001, and bought one of those APC (?) cameras that took that special film that quickly went extinct. Even though I really wanted a digital camera...but at that time, they still were kind of pricey.

Moved to a few different digital camera models throughout the last decade until last year when I found out I'd be traveling a lot. Decided to finally splurge on a DSLR, buckle down, and learn photography again. Bought my Nikon D5100 and have been addicted since. I cannot believe how much better I've gotten over the last year. It's like night and day. Also - I no longer feel intimated by photography.

2. Is it getting worse?
Hmmm.. maybe? I don't know. I'm addicted to using my camera, but I wouldn't say I'm gear-addicted. Or maybe I am I mean, I already replaced the kit lenses...

3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out?
Well, I know exactly what other lenses I want (only two more! I swear!)...it's just a matter of time before I get them. I can see myself wanting to go full frame several years down the road though...

4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography?
Not interested in working with models. I did this at a seminar a few months ago and just flat-out didn't like it. I use myself, my sister, my DH, dogs, etc as models. Not at all interested in photographing strangers.

5. What are you enjoying shooting most?
Travel, travel, travel!! Landscapes, long exposures, night photography and doing cheesy posed photos of myself, my sister, or anyone else who will be a dork along with me.

6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into?
stock photography.

7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography?
Probably not. I'm into Apple products, but I'm not a die hard. I mean, I am still using a 2008 MacBook and I will not have the iPhone 5 until my contract is up next spring.

8. Are you just shooting as a hobby or as a Pro. (Accepting others money to shoot them)?
As a hobby. Like I said above, I'm interested in doing stock photography to fund my Starbucks addiction, but that's it. No weddings, no seniors, etc.. Also I could

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you?
Last year. started with Point and shoot sx30is. then got addicted

2. Is it getting worst?
Really. with my 60D, using prime lens. looking at the speed, the results, getting really serious.

3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out?
Not really...

4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography?
Yeah. shooting everything that comes infront of the lens

5. What are you enjoying shooting most?
Landscape, outdoor portraits

6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into?
Sports, action

7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography?
YEah. i love to test all the gadgets. but cameras, lenses comes first

8. Are you just shooting as a hobby or as a Pro. (Accepting others money to shoot them)?
Just a hobbyist. but may consider making it my profession.

One of the best sayings in photography is that to an amateur, its all about the equipment. To a pro, its all about money. To a master, its all about light.
When I first started, I was really into all the cool tools and equipment, and spent a lot of money on stuff. Now, as a landscape guy, all my money goes to gas, motel rooms, and Indian guides.

irishman wrote in post #15113301
One of the best sayings in photography is that to an amateur, its all about the equipment. To a pro, its all about money. To a master, its all about light.
When I first started, I was really into all the cool tools and equipment, and spent a lot of money on stuff. Now, as a landscape guy, all my money goes to gas, motel rooms, and Indian guides.

So, in the future, all your money will go towards better sunlight?

Tigerkn wrote in post #15105112
After a ton of research, I picked up Rosewood Rocket RS850 Signature + Bigfoot + RS300 & UFW12. When the MFW15 came out I picked a pair to replace the UFW12. I ended up with just keep 1 MFW15 because it is plenty and still happy with the whole setup till today. I had my eyes on the Mini and LS series but Photography addiction took over around that time... .

Do you own any AV123 Rocket stuffs Mpix345?

I did. Had a pair of piano black and piano rosewood Ref1s. Miss them both. Gorgeous to look at (esp that Rosewood) and great sound as well. Also had a few pairs of the lower end X speakers and a ulw-10 sub, which were all quite good. Ended up with Ascends in my HT and Ushers for 2-channel listening.

Like you, photography gear gets most all of my tech budget these days, though I imagine I will someday put some cash back in to audio.

I can't find a shot of the rosewoods, but here is a marginal one of the piano black Ref100 center channel:

Hi, I'm Ko and I'm addicted with photography.

1. When did you get infected and how did it get to you?

I was about 12-14 years old. Was trying to take pictures with some basic FSU cameras. It didn't went well. Crappy cameras, plus it wasn't easy financially to get pictures developed-printed.
Later my parents gave their RF and I was able to take my first usable pictures. But still it was difficult. It was not easy for another 20+ years and only after getting first advanced digiatal P&S camera, I started to take pictures very often.

2. Is it getting worst?

Nobody hurt, my friends likes my pictures and family is taking them also.

3. Is it flat out now? If yes, how long did it take before it flat out?

Yes, two years from getting 500D in 2009 and starting to take less pictures, but more keepers in 2012.

4. Are you into shooting everything as long as it involves photography?

Almost.

5. What are you enjoying shooting most?

Family, friends, candids, events.

6. What is other/s type of shooting do you want to get into?

I'm already, almost into all of it. Including long exposure, macro and so on.

7. Are you also a Gear Head beside loving photography?

No, I have large family and big mortgage. Can't afford lots of new gear compare to those who rent or already own their shelter
I went through initial stage, like crop to/and FF, tried many different lenses, but realized I need only couple of not very new digital cameras and just a few very good, but not very expensive lens. But they are L and even Zeiss made.
I also made move to b/w film self-developing for mostly candids and sometimes for family and using FSU cheap, easy to fix RF cameras.
Have few of them for fan. Not only FSU made. They are 30-200$ price range. See absolutely no reason for digital M cameras, I don't like pictures from them as I like from 35mm and MF film cameras.

35mm film.