I’m sure the readers of this website do not need me to explain what G.A.S is. I’m sure we’ve all experienced it.
In this article I want to talk about a little realisation I’ve had about my own G.A.S and the sorts of things that have featured on my G.A.S list over the past month or so. First of all, as the name suggests G.A.S is about gear but, I would argue that film forms a part of gear – after all, the cameras that I own wouldn’t function without it. However, for the purposes of this article I would like to add a third strand of G.A.S that I suffer from, and that is the acquisition of photography and art related books, magazines and other publications.
My issue with G.A.S
I came to realise this week that, for me, G.A.S is actually a symptom of my depression and anxiety. Photography (specifically analogue photography) is my absolute passion, it brings me the most joy of any hobby I’ve tried and I now believe that when times get tough, I bury myself in it.
Under normal circumstances I think that using your hobby as a distraction is perfectly normal. In fact, if you’ve listened to Daniel Sigg’s new podcast, you’ll probably agree with me that it can be a form of meditation. However, every now and then I find myself down rabbit holes of researching this camera or that, or some rare films that I want to try and yes, endlessly looking at books online. It becomes obsessive. Since November (ish) I’ve been finding myself more frequently down these rabbit holes, coming to a bit of a peak this last week. The week that, in England, we’ve discovered that everything is much more serious that we had hoped with the pandemic (I won’t elaborate further because we’ve all heard enough of it).
I can’t remember what triggered the thought process but I realised that every instance of G.A.S that I’ve had has come about at a time of heightened anxiety for me. I’m not a big shopper, I enjoy days out shopping with my mum and sister for the social aspect but the shopping itself doesn’t bother me. Cameras, books and film though are the exception. And so I would compare it, in broad terms, to those who feel the latest car or watch will make them happy – for me, in those moments, I think that shooting with X camera will be better or more interesting than Y camera I currently shoot with.
In actual fact though, it’s the research that I’m doing that I’m benefiting from. It’s taking my mind off what is going on, I’m reading endless reviews of cameras or synopses of books, I’m looking through example pictures from others’ portfolios – I’m lost in that World instead of reality.
Many refer to G.A.S as a disease (comically I might add). But for me, whether a good thing or a bad thing, I’ve realised that it is a symptom of my mental health rather than a disease on it’s own. A symptom which I can now recognise and take a step back from and see with some perspective.
Finding Other Distractions
So, am I cured? No of course not! I started writing this article a month ago in the first week of January (hence the reference to the pandemic above). Since then I have fallen down more rabbit holes and yes, ordered a few more books, but the difference is that I can see it for what it is. You could even say, maybe, that I’ve started to redirect the energy involved.
You may have recently seen Edd Carr’s post about the Northern Sustainable Darkroom, the work that he, his organisation and the London Alternative Photography Collective are doing is so inspiring to me that’s it’s pushed me over the edge of another project.
I’ve long been concerned about the environment and have made changes in various parts of my life but my film photography practice always niggled at me. It’s so important for my mental health but a small voice was telling me that it was also a little bit wrong. And the resources I’ve discovered via these groups has inspired me to make a change. I’m going to make a conscious effort to slow down my use of film, being more considered in my shots and working my way more gently through the stash I have acquired. I recently took an inventory of my film stock and realised that I have enough film to shoot a roll each of 120 and 35mm per month for about 2 years. That’s ridiculous – what was I thinking?!
Off the back of this, a friend and I have set up a Facebook group (yes another one!) which we are hoping is going to be a bit of a library of resources and knowledge for those looking to reduce their environmental impact in their photographic practice. This is not a place for perfection but a place to get some inspiration and try things out to see how they work for you. Whether you are just thinking about what you could do or whether you already have a fully sustainable practice, everyone is welcome. It’s a work in progress, after all I’m a novice too, so all contributions to the resources are welcome.
I’ve also found some other things I’m hoping to try in the near (or distant) future:
- I’m currently setting up my own darkroom at home and so I hope to start working with the negatives that I already have rather than always shooting more. I have ideas that I want to try out like hand colouring/dying prints, cyanotypes, different printing techniques and so on.
- I’ve found some amazing resources on learning to fix and service cameras which I’m hoping to work through. I have a few broken cameras with a range of different issues that I’d like to try my hand at.
- I’ve just come across a very exciting facebook group dedicated to building/modifying your own cameras. There are some amazing contraptions in there which has got the creative juices flowing.
- I’m hoping to take advantage of this fantastic community to participate in more camera swaps and loans so that I can try out strange and wonderful cameras without the financial burden. And of course, enable others to do the same.
In Conclusion
I don’t suppose there is a cure for GAS. Without becoming a complete recluse I’m inevitably going to be inspired by this person or that piece of work to start researching products and ideas but it’s having the perspective that’s going to help me going forward. Channeling something seen as negative into a positive outcome and using my hobby to help me through these bizarre times. As with anything, it takes practice.
I’m always interested in talking to others about this stuff, if you’d like to get involved then you can reach out to me via Instagram or my website!
p.s I’ve littered this with what are to me, calming images – they have no relevance other than that.
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ARTHUR W GOTTSCHALK on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Ian Miller on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Whatever it takes to maintain our mental health and wellbeing is what we must do. At any time, never mind these days.
Take Care.
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Graham Spinks on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Chris Rampitsch on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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STUART on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
I have enjoyed your other posts BTW.
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
D Evan Bedford on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Ralph Turner on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Joris on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Michael J on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Mike on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
PS. Holly that includes reading my collection of photography books, some previously unread. COVID dividend indeed.
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Dion B on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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triman023 on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
I fall down the rabbit hole too, and I have a work budget that lets me buy most anything I want. The key is, do I need it and will I use it. Ive got a few lenses on the shelf that got used once...
I also have a 50 year old British motorcycle I have owned for 40 years, I love it more now than the day I bought it...
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Stefan Wilde on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
James on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
I never thuoght about it until I read this piece. I was a very happy advanced amateur with my assorted Leica digitals ( M240, &CL) and two film camera ( a Paubel Makina 67 and a Hasselblad 501 C/M). Then Covid isolation hit. Right now I have sold the M 240 and Hassy but added a Leica SL, Rollei 35S, Zeiss 35mm Contessa folder, Zeiss 120 Super Ikonta BX, a Cambo Wide 470 with 120 two roll backs, a Rollei 2.8 E, and a Fuji G617 (panorama).
Almost all are temporary shelf queens because I can't go out shooting without violating the Covid restrictions. Before Covid a was an occasional cautious and conservative equipment buyer and as far from OCD as one can get.
Yes, G.A.S. is real and and probably results from isolation and boredom. I'll wait out the Covid isolation and try to control my G.A.S. urges after reading your article. Thank you for the heads up.
Oh, BTW, I just noticed a very clean and fully functional Contax IIIa . I wonder whether.........? Hmmm.
Des McSweeney on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Sacha Cloutier on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 15/02/2021
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Howard S Shubs on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 16/02/2021
It hasn't been a problem for me with photography because I don't focus, as it were, on equipment but on composition. Gear generally won't help me with that
Comment posted: 16/02/2021
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Calum on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 16/02/2021
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Brian Nicholls on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 16/02/2021
It's all words really, but then again, words create worlds.
Comment posted: 16/02/2021
Castelli Daniel on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 17/02/2021
I bought my first photo book in 1970. Haven’t stopped,
A photo book is:
1. A mini exhibit in your home that never closes and is free...
2. An insight into the mind of a photographer...
3. A look into a world that you may want to explore...
4. That great smell of paper & ink...
Keep collecting!
Dan
Comment posted: 17/02/2021
Kodachromeguy on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 17/02/2021
1. Will it help me create better photographs with a focal length or format that I could not capture with existing equipment?
2. Will the new equipment be noticeably more convenient?
But often I fail on those questions and buy it anyway. Sometimes I can bypass the GAS by buying something inexpensive, such as a filter, or taking out a camera that I had not used in some months. Then it feels like a new tool.
Unlike what some of the other respondents above reported, here in Mississippi, we have not been restricted in getting out and driving around. Photographing is a solo activity, so quite safe during a virus. This way I can keep exploring my surroundings.
Keep collecting and stay safe!
Comment posted: 17/02/2021
Bill Brown on Reflecting on G.A.S and Finding other Distractions – By Holly Gilman
Comment posted: 18/02/2021
On that note just yesterday I did a spontaneous photo shoot out in the snow with the young son of my neighbor. The boy had his big four wheel RC truck out in the snow doing donuts and climbing the landscape rocks in our yard. I grabbed up several different cameras and proceeded to shoot some "portraits" of the truck. I then photographed the boy in similar perspective and I plan to place him next to the truck in matching scale later in post. I even did a "drone" shot from atop a ladder. The boy was excited as I explained the concept to him and I hope that this event also acts as an introduction to film photography for this young man. The part of this story that gives context to this moment is that I live in the DFW, Texas region of the U.S. Today is my first time back online since Sunday. My electricity has been on &off and we have received record snow and low temps(minus 2 degrees F) not seen here in 100 years. A disaster across the whole state. This boys family and some of us neighbors had just finished cleaning up their kitchen after they experienced a burst water line and now in a lighter moment he had his RC truck out in the snow. This is what I want as well as him and his parents to remember from this week of disaster. I hope to always be a good ambassador for the film community. BTW check out the "Open Range" photo book of my friend and fellow film photographer John Langmore of Austin, Texas.
Comment posted: 18/02/2021