Yes, it’s true, G.A.S. has plagued me for years! Although temporarily relieved by my latest purchase of a second, Nikon Z9, I know it will surface again as I work through the mystery of this new toy.” Gear Acquisition Syndrome” is real, it comes from desiring anything that has a chance to make your performance better or, in this case, a better image. There are worse addictions than this, so I have learned to live with it over the years, although my wife hates it when a new era of G.A.S. hits.

Most of my fellow friends and photographers are gear heads in the most positive sense. Myself, being a closet nerd, I completely understand. The desire to understand a new piece of equipment is always there, daunting us and beckoning. Always trying to balance that thing between equipment and skill set, continues to plague me, but I think I have come to terms with it. You see, that never-ending desire to have everything perfect on your photoshoot, the dangling of two identical cameras with the settings exact, every piece of equipment set and at a finger tip reach in the proper spot in your bag, the hunt for the perfect bag to do this (I can say ” I have at least 20 and have went back to the same bag every time”) but that desire for ongoing perfection, economy of movement, and perfect image is always there.

It seems like once this itch is scratched I can go on and just focus on getting the shot, keyed in on my subject. Being an extremist by nature, I sometimes just street shoot with one lens and camera, I mean I don’t have to have all the equipment with me, just knowing it’s available if I need it is enough. I never wanted the lack of equipment to be a excuse for missing the shot. This increases the pressure on yourself because if you don’t get it, its because of a lack in skill set. This alone drives your quest for more knowledge and to be better at your craft.

Beginning of every year I tell my wife, ” Lisa, I think I have everything I need for life, I don’t have to spend any money this year”, she just rolls her eyes.

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