I Used To Feel Guilty About Owning A Lot Of Photography Gear; Not Any Longer

Great Smoky Mountains National Park  (click to enlarge)

I have owned and still own more than one camera system.  I've felt a bit guilty about that as owning all that gear seems excessive.  Even gluttonous!  I’ve written here before that I thought I had “too much (photographic) stuff” and I did reduce my inventory from three systems to two.  That said, I’m thinking I may still have too much.  My problem lies in the fact that I just don’t want to sell any of what I now have and, in fact, am trying hard to resist getting back into Micro 4/3 as I truly enjoyed that system along with my Nikon and Fujifilm gear.  That guilt feeling then raises its ugly head.  But I think I have finally found a solution to put an end to my guilt feelings.  What better way to reduce or eliminate guilt feelings about most everything but to rationalize?  Perfect! 

So what is the psychological term rationalization mean?  Here is one meaning.

Rationalization 

“Rationalization is a disavowal defense mechanism which permits an individual to deal with emotional conflicts, or internal or external stressors, by devising reassuring or self-serving but incorrect explanations for his or her own or others’ thoughts, actions, or feelings, which cover up other motives (Perry 1990).”

As I mentioned.  Perfect!  A perfect method to rid myself of the guilt of owning too much gear!  Why didn’t I think of this years ago?

I’ve resolved (re: rationalized) to think of myself and the cameras I enjoy owning and using in the same manner as others who truly enjoy their hobby and the tools of their hobby.  For example, a car collector who enjoys owning and driving a variety of automobiles.  Different cars for different purposes and different moods.  Sports cars, luxury cars, antique cars, off-road vehicles, collectable cars and ones powered by different methods of propulsion all provide pleasure to their owner.  Even different color cars, if we want to push it.

Most guitarists with whom I am familiar own and use many different guitars.  They relish their collection of guitar brands and models and use all of them regularly.  Playing one brand and model of a guitar can be completely different than another with a completely different sound.  Could you imagine playing all genres of music with just one, say, acoustic guitar?  No, many different guitars are definitely needed.

How about a rare book collector who derives pride and enjoyment from seeking out and purchasing rare first edition books.  Each rare book brings value to his or her life.  Each one brings a sense of pride of ownership.  Just owning them is satisfying.  Your aren't much of a book collector if you buy just one rare book. What kind of collection is that?  A collection of rare books seems always a worthwhile endeavor if that is where your interest lies.  The more the better.

With photography gear, the same logic applies.  Different cameras with different capabilities and different features for different types of photography.  Same with lenses.  I couldn't use a 35mm f/1.4 prime for birds-in-flight photography now could I?  Of course not.  Nor could I use a 150-600mm Fujifilm lens for family events like birthday parties either.  Different gear for different purposes.  Different cameras feel and operate differently and have different strengths and weaknesses so multiple cameras just makes sense to me.

Hey!  This rationalization really works!  I think I'm on to something here.

I used to feel guilty about having a number of cameras and lenses, but I derive so much enjoyment and creativity from not only using them to create my ‘art,’ but also admiring their feel in my hands, engineering and capabilities that I am fine with it now.  I’m a techno-geek, I love technology, but I also am passionate about creating photographs, exercising my vision as well as looking at and admiring others’ photographs.  Photography is the perfect left-brain/right-brain pursuit for me.  So not only is getting out and making photographs important but also I love the technical side of photography.  That ranges from darkroom work in years past to editing today to all of the wonderful cameras and lenses I own.  It’s a perfect avocation for me.  

In the past two years, my wife and I have done very little traveling or anything resembling regular fun activities due to the pandemic as well as being the primary caretakers for her 99 year-old mother.  Also, being retired and on a fixed income, inflation is also a killer.  My photography has been my refuge.  So, I indulge myself on occasion with a new camera or a new lens.  As a bonus, I actually use my cameras and lenses as much as possible as they are not just for show or just to collect.

Look, I’d like to write and rationalize more but I need to get busy, get out my credit card, get onto the Internet and buy more gear as the prices may be rising as I write!  As I mentioned,  inflation is a killer and price hikes might be happening right now as I write this.  Makes sense to me.  Agree?  Lol

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  Yep, that's the ticket.  I no longer feel guilty about owning the gear I own all due to being able to rationalize.  See?  Taking those psychology classes in college paid off after all!  All these years I thought they were relatively useless.  

Have fun.  Enjoy your gear no matter how much or how little you own.  Just get up, get out and make some photographs.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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