Photography as a hobby

[Amuse]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby?
Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice?
Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?
Do you find this hobby expensive?
Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby?


This is exactly what's happening to me. 2 years ago, I was getting into photography and bought a DSLR.
Bought a great photography book and went onto photography forums to learn and discuss.
Wanted to get a better lens and needed some stuff like a flash, filters, tripod, etc.
Then I found that I was getting broke as stuff tends to add up fast.
Due to money concerns, less time, and wanting to spend more time on other parts of my life, I sold the camera and other stuff and bought a point and shoot camera to carry around and use.
I then got interested in acoustic guitars and bought a guitar and started to learn.
Then now, while continuing playing my guitar, I sort of miss using a dslr and want to buy one again. Or maybe save that money and spend it on a better guitar..

It is like a cycle and can be similar to other hobbies.

Anybody go through this before or are in a similar situation as me?
Or give up other hobbies and spent more of your time in photography?

[Kasakato]

Giving it up or getting out is...unthinkable. Is it expensive? Hell ya, Iv spent over $1000 alone on gear...which is a lot when your 16-18. I try to limit myself to one item every 6 months, be it a lens, flash, or camera body.

[N_Raged]

Nikon Acquisition Syndrome (http://www.iol.ie/~corkflor/nas.html) can apply to any camera brand.

I've always been interested in cameras since i was a kid. Photography is the only "artsy" thing I can do; I can't draw and I have no musical talent.

[onesurvive]

I just got interested a few months ago and I've spent quite a bit. I've learned a lot and continue to learn. Most importantly I have fun and I enjoy myself. I guess it's better if you have a job to support this hobby. But honestly, you really just need a camera and a lens and you're set.

But getting new lenses is exciting and addicting, as well as expensive (in most cases). :|

[ryan_lau100]

love it
always loved it
got out of computer gear and focused on cameras
addicting and expensive hella yes!
lets see.. ive gone through in the past yr and half... most of it ive sold to stay more lean

20D+grip
XT+grip
XTi+grip
300D
EOS3+grip
Elan2e+grip
SD400
SD700
canon 28/2.8
canon 50/1.8
canon 80-200/3.5-5.6
canon 70-200/4L
canon 28-80
canon 35-105
canon 28-105
canon 18-55
sigma 70-300
canon 28-135IS
canon 70-200/2.8isL
canon 24-70/2.8L
canon 580ex
canon 430ex
canon 420ex
canon 75-300
Manfrotto 055CLB w/ Induro joystick head

i have more accessories but thats the main stuff

[TenzoR]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby? Yes
Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice? Yes
Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust? No
Do you find this hobby expensive? No
Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.) No
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby? N/A

[cloud82]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby? Yes
Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice? Yes
Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust? In the beginning, yes, not anymore
Do you find this hobby expensive? Somewhat yes
Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.) No, hopefully never :)
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby? N/A

[phuviano]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby? Yes
Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice? yes
Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?yes
Do you find this hobby expensive?yes, L lenses are expensive.
Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)yes, I got out of this hobby, but not totally. I just don't own a dslr anymore. I got tired of carrying around my gear everywhere, and then having to PP all the pictures you took.
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby? I've been tempted to buy another dslr, but I don't think I will. I will be spending more money on cars.

[shrugs*]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby?
Yessir, started once I could walk + hold a 35mm body.


Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice?
Lots of practice, lil bit better :)

Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?
I started shooting Canon about 8 years ago, finally moved to Ls this year.. my kit covers a decent range, I still get the lens lust but with some half-decent glass already I'm fairly content.

Do you find this hobby expensive?
It's as expensive as one wants it to be. Better gear != better photographer.


Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)
Never, I've always had something with a hole and a button. And I've been broke, believe me :lol:


If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby?
Photography eases my mind like no other. Walking away from it would be losing one of the greatest parts of my life.

[vincent-poon]

good thing im not a hardcore hobbyist, i just have my 17-50 2.8 and a sb400, and im covered for most places i go to.

though i still want to replace my tamron with the equilvalent of the nikkor lens, since its better and its focusing is far better.

and i want a telephoto too, perhaps a 70-300.

That would be suffice.

[Amuse]

I've been tempted to buy another dslr, but I don't think I will. I will be spending more money on cars.
heh, my D50, 18-70, 50 1.8, 85 1.8, sb800 2 years ago cost twice the amount of my first car that I bought last year.

[CSAgent]

Started as a hobby, but turned it into a part-time profession.

I now do model portfolios, weddings, galas/events. Last major purchase? A $1650 Canon 70-200mm F2.8L IS. Although, 2009 is going to be year 3 of my 5 year plan and I'm slowly more focused on Fashion photography than anything else.

Next major purchase? Probably a mobile studio kit (dual strobes w/stands, umbrellas, power pack, background(s), background stand system) that I've been looking at worth $4500.

I'm not one of those who must have the latest and greatest body all of the time, sure it helps but new bodies/hardware are released every year. For now, I'd rather hone my skills on my humble 40D before making a major upgrade.

[Blackmajik]

I remember getting my first digital camera years ago purely just to take pictures for special events. After progressing through many cameras later, it has grown into a hobby and spent quite a bit on my first DSLR + various equipment for it. It certainly isn't my most expensive hobby (considering my last computer I paid $1,200 for the CPU alone + 6800 GT $500 x 2 for SLI, etc). Considering the time I have now, I have to balance out my hobbies and spend a little time with each. I don't take too many pictures once it got colder since I don't like taking my camera outdoors in this crappy weather but I do have some pictures in mind I wanted to take during my Christmas holiday. I did have the upgrade itch when I first got the camera but I've settled down on the Tamron 17-50 since it does 99.9% of what I want to shoot. What really inspires me is looking at some of the pictures that many of you produce which gives me some fresh ideas and the desire on how to snap some fantastic photos.

[Asad_A203]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby? Yes
Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice?
Yes; I am still horrible with it but I am learning; very slowly...
Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?
Huh? If I think I know what you are saying; I prefer to upgrade the lens which depreciates very little compared to a body that is worth the same as a box of crackers in a year.
Do you find this hobby expensive?
Not too badly since I don't/can't buy L lenses; I am out around $1200-$1300 with the body, a couple lenses, flash, and accessories which isn't as expensive as some of my other addictions :lol:. Once I get a second prosumer body (when I feel I will benefit from it); I will start spending the cash on better gear and I can see it being quite expensive.
Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)

I still like taking photos; only been in in it for little less than 7 months. I haven't found much time with my LSAT coming up in a month.
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby?

Addicted for life IMO. But some people have said dSLR is a fad and it will go out like the SLRs did in the past. Some people I have seen are more clueless with a dSLR than me and I am sure the guy at best buy just pushed them to buy it.

My car is much more important to me than photography especially since I lack the skills heavily, hate dragging around my dSLR, and I get alot more satisfaction from my vehicle than I will from my pictures. Modding my car is sadly much, much more expensive; haha.

[Asad_A203]

I remember getting my first digital camera years ago purely just to take pictures for special events. After progressing through many cameras later, it has grown into a hobby and spent quite a bit on my first DSLR + various equipment for it. It certainly isn't my most expensive hobby (considering my last computer I paid $1,200 for the CPU alone + 6800 GT $500 x 2 for SLI, etc). Considering the time I have now, I have to balance out my hobbies and spend a little time with each. I don't take too many pictures once it got colder since I don't like taking my camera outdoors in this crappy weather but I do have some pictures in mind I wanted to take during my Christmas holiday. I did have the upgrade itch when I first got the camera but I've settled down on the Tamron 17-50 since it does 99.9% of what I want to shoot. What really inspires me is looking at some of the pictures that many of you produce which gives me some fresh ideas and the desire on how to snap some fantastic photos.

I got my dSLR so I could take night shots that were not so dark :lol:. I have learned quite alot after that; mainly from everyone here. +1 on the Tamron 17-50..

[manixc]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby? yes
Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice? yes, I think I am better than when I started
Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust? yes
Do you find this hobby expensive? yes
Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.) not yet
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby? n/a

Anybody go through this before or are in a similar situation as me? not yet, though I think I am playing less video game because I am always checking out new gears or just taking pictures in general
Or give up other hobbies and spent more of your time in photography?

Giving it up or getting out is...unthinkable. Is it expensive? Hell ya, Iv spent over $1000 alone on gear...which is a lot when your 16-18. I try to limit myself to one item every 6 months, be it a lens, flash, or camera body.
that's a great plan. I think I will steal it. :)

[kiz5]

I sometimes wish photography was just a hobby for myself again. Despite it bringing in a fair bit of money, and all of the great things I have got out of it ... geez, is it ever expensive at this level! :)

[rubberband]

It will always be a hobby - I've never found anything else I enjoy as much. Lately I've been thinking more about continuing to do weddings and such on and off. Really just to finance the hobby. Which addresses whether or not it's expensive. :cheesygri

The most important part of good photography is a good photographer with an eye for composition and an instinct for using their equipment. Having said that, certain types of photography just work better with nicer equipment. Pictures of people I took 3 years ago with a D50 + kit lens are nice enough, but the difference between them and something more recent taken with a D300 + 17-55 or 50mm lens is huge, and I doubt that's it's due to practice and improvement alone.

So.. yeah. I guess the point is that I love it but my bank account doesn't.

[rename]

I've always been interested in cameras since i was a kid. Photography is the only "artsy" thing I can do; I can't draw and I have no musical talent.

I'm with you on this comment. :)

back to the topic.
I find it on/off myself once in a while and leave the camera on the side for a week or two then all of a sudden i get, hey, I got a camera somewhere, I should start using it again :)

Also, if you dont want to spend so much money on DSLR get something like Panasonic FZ28 (like-DSLR) and be happy with it. I know, I know, its not the same thing, but gives pretty good results as far as the reviews show.

[Amuse]

The XS looks ok, but I decided to save my money.

[adblink182]

one thing I think people most often get used with is the following formula


Better Gear ≠ Better Photographer!!!

[AudiDude]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby? Yes, but I have had people looking to use my pics in ads (a couple of them have been in Toronto Life). So I might sell some.

Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice? I always practice both photography and photoshop. With many lenses, you need to know how to get what you want out of them, and you will forget if you mostly use just one. Then you will be kicking yourself for missing that shot... I use photoshop to make sure the picture invokes the feeling that I had when I took the shot, which is why I took it in the first place.

Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust? I usually upgrade because the equipment I have no longer suits my needs. With cheaper lenses I used to use polarized filters because the saturation/contrast on the pics from them was not the best. After buying a lens hood (first) and using the filter with it things improved. I bought the comparative L lens (which comes with the $50-$70 hood) and don't need the $230 circular polarizer to get the same shots. My 20D couldn't autofocus with anything but the centre point in low light, and the RAW buffer would choke after 5 frames. Hello 40D, problem solved.

Do you find this hobby expensive? A little, but it is rewarding, so it is worth it

Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)No way! I'm an idiot, I'll do multiple hobbies at once! Besides, if you have the equipment, using it doesn't cost much, and if it gets expensive, go used. It is fun hunting for deals, that is why RFD is around.

And of course better gear does not make a better photographer, or better pictures. Sometimes I will peruse someones work and wonder what the hell they were thinking when they took their pics. They are uninspiring and say nothing or say the wrong thing that the photographer did not intend. Sometimes I go to someones portfolio and that person and myself are on the same wavelength. Everything makes sense. I've even seen pics from others that look like the person must have been standing in the exact spot that I was when I took mine years earlier. I'v seen some pretty clueless pics from people who can afford top end equipment, but should have spent their money on a nice watch or something else.

[Talamasca]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby?
Yup. I certainly don't make any money from it!

Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice?
Constantly. I've read books, taken a course, and good old practice out in the field

Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?
Not really. I got a DSLR for Christmas after using P&S for years. I felt like I was outgrowing the P&S and its limitations so I'm entering a new world now. I don't see myself buying any more accessories for the DSLR though as I've got two lenses, the filters, and the bag already.

Do you find this hobby expensive?
The equipment can be pricey but developing costs aren't too bad.

Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby?
My main interest is travel photography. If I don't go anywhere, I don't usually shoot. I also don't really do it outdoors when it's cold!

[jumoyolin]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby?
yes, i got my first 0.5MP point and shoot 10 years ago and shoot pictures to "keep a diary of my life"

Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice?
yes, i always trying to improve, you can never be good enough

Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?
yes, only when I first got my DSLR last year but stopped after i have 2 bodies and 10 lenses

Do you find this hobby expensive?
yes and no. yes because i did spent quite a bit, but no because i used to be an addicted gambler, wasting lots of time and money on gambling, but after i got a DSLR, i almost completely stopped gambling

Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby?
nope, pretty sure i will keep shooting until i die

[left-ear]

Anybody here have photography only as a hobby?
i don't think i'd ever want it to be more than just a hobby. it might lose its "fun" factor if i did this as a living (supposing that i was ever good enough to LOL)

Tried to learn how to take better photos and practice?
yup. i frequent this forum just to see how photography should be done and try it out myself. i'm still pretty noob

Did you get the upgrade bug or lens lust?
YES! but i can't afford to buy lenses lol i only dream...

Do you find this hobby expensive?
nope, because i hadn't bought anything since the dslr and my first lens. i only develop prints for family and for whoever wants photos

Did you get out of this hobby? (due to lack of interest in photography, going broke, no time, getting into other hobbies, etc.)
If you got out of this hobby, after a period of time, do you miss it and want to go back? Or continue to spend more time on other parts of your life or another important hobby?
nope! i love it to much. i might put it down for awhile but i'll never forget it.