The people that just 'stop'...

Eddzz!!

Eddzz!!

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Eddy
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I've seen/heard of a fair few people who have just stopped with their photography. When I say they've 'stopped', I mean they've quit. They've given up the hobby (or profession in some instances) and sold every last bit of camera gear they own. That concept seems completely alien to me. The past few years I've put so much into consuming the knowledge and I've invested hundreds and hundreds of pounds into purchasing equipment. How can one just kick it all to the curb and say "I'm done"?! I understand if someone is under serious financial strain, but other than that it baffles me!
 
I dip in and out of photography and have done for years but never made the mistake of selling my gear, that is end I think once the kit has been sold it is hard to get back into it.
 
I've spent thousands on my kit over the last few years. Photography for me is only a hobby and sometimes I won't touch my kit for weeks on end but on the other hand some days I go through four batteries with my 70D. I have loads of other hobbies and photography isn't at the top of my list. I work two jobs and have two kids so it's not easy for me to fit everything in.

Saying that I would never consider "stopping" and selling everything. I do enjoy photography but maybe I don't do it enough to get sick and tired of it.
 
paulc said:
I dip in and out of photography and have done for years but never made the mistake of selling my gear, that is end I think once the kit has been sold it is hard to get back into it.
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Exactly! A couple of years ago I had a bad accident and I didn't think I'd be able to go out mountain biking again. I sold all my stuff to only regret it then it cost me 3x as much to start over again.
 
Im currently in the middle of a huge equipment cull, as my interest has diminished quite a bit over the last year or so. I cant justify having thousands of pounds worth of gear that doesnt get used.

I do still want to be able to take a nice photo when the mood takes me, but want to keep it more as a fun hobby rather than something I feel I HAVE to do because ive got all the kit. I decided to limit myself to a couple of Fujis (an XF-1 and an X20), and one 35mm film SLR. I feel quite liberated to be honest.

I never imagined myself not shooting as much as I was, but things change...life and responsibilities change.
 
I've done very little photography in the last two years, my work and the renovation of my home have consumed all of my time. I've also done no motorsport (in competition terms), just some working at events that doesn't involve any pre-event commitments (e.g. course controller), nor worked on the racing car for the same reason.

I haven't sold any of my equipment, as I plan to return to it when I have some free time available for hobbies again.
 
Eddzz!! said:
I've seen/heard of a fair few people who have just stopped with their photography. When I say they've 'stopped', I mean they've quit. They've given up the hobby (or profession in some instances) and sold every last bit of camera gear they own. That concept seems completely alien to me. The past few years I've put so much into consuming the knowledge and I've invested hundreds and hundreds of pounds into purchasing equipment. How can one just kick it all to the curb and say "I'm done"?! I understand if someone is under serious financial strain, but other than that it baffles me!
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Surely this can happen for other hobbies. I used to play golf 2-3 times a week without fail - got to single figures and had quite a few £ worth of golf bats along with associated kit. (OK I still do have it all.)

Haven't been on a course in best part of 2 years - interest was waning and other priorities. Likewise to an extent with photography. My favourite kind is landscapes - however done most of round here what I can think of, and cannot be @rsed to drive a couple of hours each way for a couple of hours. Yes I know the same area can produce different results in about 2 mins... however, just haven't been bothered.
 
Lynton said:
Surely this can happen for other hobbies. I used to play golf 2-3 times a week without fail - got to single figures and had quite a few £ worth of golf bats along with associated kit. (OK I still do have it all.)

Haven't been on a course in best part of 2 years - interest was waning and other priorities. Likewise to an extent with photography. My favourite kind is landscapes - however done most of round here what I can think of, and cannot be @rsed to drive a couple of hours each way for a couple of hours. Yes I know the same area can produce different results in about 2 mins... however, just haven't been bothered.
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To be fair the sproglets might have had a little to do with the golf :lol: hopefully next time your in the area I can drag you out dogg.....erm light painting again :P
 
crofter said:
Photography isn't the be all and end all, there are other interests, people take up other hobbies and do that instead, I have many interests but can't do all of them all of the time.
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I completely agree. Photography is just ONE of my hobbies and though I sometimes I feel passionate about it, there are times when I cba.
 
"Golf bats" :p

murcielago_vampiro.jpg
 
I pretty much stopped with photography in the early '80s since I couldn't afford to keep doing it after I left school (where we had a fully equipped B&W darkroom.) If I stop again, I'll be keeping a selection of kit since what I have isn't really worth that much now compared to a) what it cost and b) what it will cost to replace in the future!
 
Don't really see photography as a hobby, like visiting places and the camera comes along. Do sometimes pick places/subjects that I would like to photograph, but good chance I would have gone anyway
Consequently can't imagine giving up because I have been taking cameras with me for as long as I can remember
 
I'm currently considering giving it up as an active hobby and selling up.

I'd just keep my Fuji x100s and put what I've learned into the occasional "tourist" type shot.

I'm actually struggling to see the point of it all.
 
I've done virtually no wildlife photography since having 1st child just over 3 years ago. Use the DSLR periodically but just for shots of the kids as the autofocus is so superior. It's just a time thing- work and kids take up more time, so photography got squeezed. This forum keeps me hooked. I'm hoping when the kids get older we can learn together and try stuff like water drops etc, but that is a long way off.
 
I feel pretty much the same as a few posters on here. Sold all my canon gear a couple of years ago and bought a M43rds camera now own an XE2. Thought lighter would be perfect in semi retirement but still seem as busy as ever. Studying for a degree doesn't help, that and the grandchildren :). Sometimes I really enjoy going out with the camera but a lot if times just can't be bothered.
 
To be honest I can't imagine not doing photography, the missus says I'm obsessed!
But for me taking photos is only part of it
I'm into wildlife anyway and taking photos is just part of it
I'm quite happy going out to a pond and watch the dragonflies even if I don't manage any photos
 
LCPete said:
To be honest I can't imagine not doing photography, the missus says I'm obsessed!
But for me taking photos is only part of it
I'm into wildlife anyway and taking photos is just part of it
I'm quite happy going out to a pond and watch the dragonflies even if I don't manage any photos
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This,I'm a wildlife enthusiast not a photographer, photographs are something I can bring home from a day out, take the odd landscape but I'm not interested in taking photos of much else.
 
LCPete said:
To be honest I can't imagine not doing photography, the missus says I'm obsessed!
But for me taking photos is only part of it
I'm into wildlife anyway and taking photos is just part of it
I'm quite happy going out to a pond and watch the dragonflies even if I don't manage any photos
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That about sums me up as well Pete.

Sometimes just watching and learning is as satisfying as taking pics.
 
I had to sell all my gear when I became unemployed and have never got the urge to take it back up. got bored with it TBH
 
I was a hobbyst of 10 years who did drop it, as a serious hobby for about 34 years. But I didn't sell all my film cameras.
In the early 1970's I was shooting dirt bikes (motorcycles) and I thought these guys are having a lot of fun so I went and purchased a motor cycle.
Then I discovered girls.
Then I discovered saling (Catamarans and sailboards).
All much more fun than photography.
In 2006 I purchased my first DSLR - It was like comming back home, and I now have a "dark" room.
Beside I am now too old for catamarans and sailboards and falling off motorcycles, however I am still marired to one of the girls I met in 1972.
 
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