Defination of obscenity

[chauncey]

I'm gonna speak from personal experience mind you...as a hobbyist.

Were you to total up all the monies that I have invested in this photography hobby thingy...camera/lenses/and associated whatnot, along with high end computer and monitor, then add in the post processing software with training to use that software...the total would be staggeringly obscene.

But, what is worse is, when you consider that I've printed a grand total of four prints, that were donated to friends...then it becomes increasing oblivious that I'm stretching the credible boundaries of the term obscene.

Does anyone else out there come close to my level of insanity?

[Daisy Mae]

Ah yes..... but that is to overlook the inherent value of the pleasure of creation.

[Donald]

Does anyone else out there come close to my level of insanity?

Yep, 'fraid so.

But, to my credit, I don't do drugs (the photography gear has been paid for with all the money I would otherwise have spent on cigarettes, which I gave up 4 years ago), I'm nice to animals and children and apart from my passion for wine (which is also a far too expensive hobby), I don't abuse alcohol.

[Downrigger]

Does anyone else out there come close to my level of insanity?

Is it twelve step time, Chauncey? OK, my name is Mark and I’m a photo enthusiast. Maybe it would be good to have a bunch of fellow addicts in my twelve step group I could call when I’m starting to crave that longer, or wider, or faster lens.
Really, I’m sure I’m right there with you, Chauncey but it’s only money, man. With all apologies to the pros among us I am glad not to be doing this for money – it would be easy for that to spoil it for me. I get more from the time and investment than images on my laptop. I get the urge to be outdoors paying attention to the world around me, and eyes that have opened more and more to appreciate the sometimes moving, sometimes stark, always interesting world of light around me. And let’s face it… it’s cool stuff!

[Daisy Mae]

I get more from the time and investment than images on my laptop. I get the urge to be outdoors paying attention to the world around me, and eyes that have opened more and more to appreciate the sometimes moving, sometimes stark, always interesting world of light around me. And let’s face it… it’s cool stuff!

Hear..Hear!

[Mike Buckley]

Does anyone else out there come close to my level of insanity?

Considering the high percentage of people who are bored because they can't think of anything they want to do in their free time, I think you should put our hobby in the context of a different question: Does anyone else out there come close to your level of sanity?

Seriously, I do understand your point. I joke that my wife's hobby, singing, generates net income and my hobby generates net losses. Fortunately, she only jokes about it too. Even so, she was grateful when I recently removed a macro lens from my Christmas and birthday wish lists.

[MrB]

I, too, see your point, but "obscene" is an inappropriate word here. "Extravagant" perhaps but, even then, if it gives you (and perhaps others around you) some pleasure, and keeps the old grey matter working into later years, and is not causing neglect of yourself and your family, then the sane view would be to think of your investment in photography as a harmless treat that you can and should continue to enjoy in some way every day.

Philip

[mknittle]

I'm gonna speak from personal experience mind you...as a hobbyist.


Does anyone else out there come close to my level of insanity?

It would appear we all are to some degree, or we weren't we wouldn't be here.

[DanK]

I'd also use the word "extravagant," although sometimes I think the phrase "simply nuts" applies.

I'd like to believe that my case fits the former, although some people might disagree. I clearly have spent more on equipment than I needed to. Put differently, the marginal improvement in my work from some of the purchases is very small, even sometimes negligible. Still, like Donald, I consider it a pretty benign vice.

However, if you read a variety of photo sites, it's clear that some folks spend money in ways that are just plain silly. For example, on some sites, you will routinely see people who have purchased $3,000 bodies (OK, full disclosure: I just did) but who don't yet really know how to use basic camera controls and have never done postprocessing. You will also see lots of postings from newbies who write things like "I think it is time to upgrade. I really want L glass, but should I buy a <professional level> body first?" Or from people insisting that they need to spend a bundle on lenses to get minor improvements in resolution even though they only post on the web--that is, only in low resolution. And on and on.

My view is that it is not worth commenting on this except when a newbie appears to be misled about the importance of equipment and is on the verge of wasting a lot of money.

[ajohnw]

I favour looking for bargains value wise when I can and don't upgrade very often which reduces total cost a lot. I am still happy with the late Canon film lenses I bought with the 300D. At that time buying cheap would have been a bad idea. The 70-300mm has IS. I don't need it on the shorter zoom. Canon didn't think so either as from memory they didn't make one with it. I'm sure I don't anyway. The 5D was bought used at a huge saving. Some concerns but a replacement shutter works out at about 200 quid and I doubt if it will ever be needed - touch wood. Of the 2 cameras I favour the 300D in many ways..

When I decided that a newer APS might be nice I noticed micro 4/3 so bought a used E-PL1 to see what they were like. Mixed feeling but thought a camera like that would be useful to have around. Almost pocketable 28-300mm in full frame terms so bought an E-P3. That was immensely better than the E-PL1 in many areas, odd as both use the same sensor. Then as they switched to Sony sensors bought an OMD-EM5 but probably would have done so anyway so the APS never got upgraded.

Usual problem though - just a bit short of 1000 quid spent on 2 lenses yesterday. At least I couldn't spend more than that as there are no others available. Olympus might get an OMD-EM1 out of me. Slim chance but there is one. The only reason I would change is better controls. On the 3 cameras I have some of the ideas are great but they don't seem to retain these on other models.

PP - rather teach myself. For me that is part of the fun. People like Colin show what can be done from time to time and my aim is to match him. I don't think a course would help with that really. As far as cameras go the main problem is finding out what they do with what's in front of them. Cost does have a bearing but in my view a lot less than people tend to think.

John
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[royphot]

I imagine that everyone posting on this forum, (other than those asking about their first serious camera purchase), have all spent more than a sensible amount on this activity over the years. It could only be described as obscene if the expenditure was at the expense of our dependants wellbeing.

There are those who's main source of pleasure is in the owning of the hi-tech gear. The fact that they only ever produce a print -or whatever - now and then, is neither here nor there. They are still enjoying and supporting the same hobby as us, but in just a different way.

Roy

[chauncey]

Is it twelve step time, Chauncey? OK, my name is Mark and I’m a photo enthusiast.

Mark may have come close to the problem for along with my photography stuff, I seem to have amassed a fair number of children...nine at last count. While some may call me a veritable prince, a song from times past might be more representative of my mental condition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzHtm1jhL4

[dje]

Is it twelve step time, Chauncey? OK, my name is Mark and I’m a photo enthusiast. Maybe it would

be good to have a bunch of fellow addicts in my twelve step group I could call when I’m starting to crave that longer, or wider, or faster lens.
Really, I’m sure I’m right there with you, Chauncey but it’s only money, man. With all apologies to the pros among us I am glad not to be doing this for money – it would be easy for that to spoil it for me. I get more from the time and investment than images on my laptop. I get the urge to be outdoors paying attention to the world around me, and eyes that have opened more and more to appreciate the sometimes moving, sometimes stark, always interesting world of light around me. And let’s face it… it’s cool stuff!

Spot on Mark the photo enthusiast. That's my story too and I'm sticking to it.

Dave

[Shadowman]

You'd be in the same league as the person who spent all that money and printed over 2,000 images and only shared them with a few. Guilty as charged.

[nimitzbenedicto]

Defination of obscenity...

@OP,

Sorry , but I'm not a native-English speaker.
I can't seem to find "Defination" in the online English dictionaries.

Is this the correct spelling "Defamation" ?

Thank you.

[Colin Southern]

Does anyone else out there come close to my level of insanity?

A rough estimate for camera & lighting equipment would be $100,000 for me, although RC helicopters are catching up fast (about $15,000 in my first year alone).

[Mike Buckley]

Victor,

It's "definition." "Defamation" is a completely different word with a completely different meaning. I'll let you look up its "definition."

[Stagecoach]

The 'obscenity' and 'insanity' level with respect to monies must be proportional to the time spent in enjoying a hobby and the pleasure and satisfaction of results achieved.

For me and my photography hobby I'm by far the winner, but for me and my boat hobby, I'm the insane loser

Grahame

[GrahamH]

I have another hobby - ballroom dance (until I moved here).
So a lesson a week ($85, sometimes couple of lessons), plus out dancing 3 (at least) nights a week ($15 per night) - that makes $6760 pa. Add onto that the transport, the shoes, the clothes (social dancing only, but still has a dress code), plus special events, DVD's. So far easily up to $8,000.
And I am sure there are more costs hidden around the place.
AND this is year in, year out.

Photography - taking into account both cameras, all lenses for both (two systems Sony and Canon) and flash and studio and props - only looking at around $8000 over several years.
Photography is a cheap hobby compared to many.
Graham

[Mike Buckley]

The 'obscenity' and 'insanity' level with respect to monies must be proportional to the time spent in enjoying a hobby and the pleasure and satisfaction of results achieved.

More important, it must be proportional to the amount of money you and your spouse agreed can be spent. One should spend no more than twice that amount.