Seems like a simple and easy thing to do, doesn’t it?  But for many it really isn’t simple or easy at all.

Why’s that?

Well, first there can be the issue of gear and Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). I’ve written about this extensively. Here is a little bit about what I said … I will be the first to admit I like film cameras irrespective of what their purpose is.  They are neat, precision mechanical devices and yes I have gone through a lot of gear.  One of my friends kindly called it equipment churn.

Look, I don’t have a problem with trying new brands or different formats to see I how like them.  While it is true that you can make a great picture with any camera/lens, anyone that says there isn’t something special about the intimate relationship you have with a particular mechanical device and how it works is simply not telling the truth.

So there, I’ll say it; you should be one with your equipment and enjoy what you are using!  I am, and I do! I’ve kissed a lot of frogs along the way, only to end up selling them because I felt they were too complicated to use, or they didn’t intuitively enable me to produce what I wanted to produce, etc.  And I can honestly admit I don’t have a problem with that.

But I think GAS occurs when you have too many cameras and lenses that you don’t need, and acquiring them becomes the journey instead of actually getting out in the world and making pictures. Let’s face it, it’s fun to buy things and certainly it’s not as scary as having to put yourself out there and possibly fail at what you set out to do, or not enjoy yourself because of unreasonable expectations you or others have created or instilled within you.

This is not to say that it’s wrong to own and use more than one format for different applications, or even two types of cameras of the same format, such as a rangefinder and a single lens reflex (I do).  I think where things go haywire is when you start buying much more than you can ever reasonably use because you feel a need to have things that go beyond your true need to use them.  That doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to own a lens that you may only use ten percent of the time.  In fact there’s nothing worse than being in a position where you need that lens to make the picture and you don’t have it.  In fact, while it is well known that Henri Cartier-Bresson used the 50mm lens to make the vast majority of his wonderful pictures, he also used other lenses on occasion when the need called for them.  On the other hand, the great photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt favored the 35mm lens, but also used others when necessary such as the 90mm for his iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe.

So do yourself a favor and get the GAS out of your system. You will be happy you did, both photographically and financially!

Great, now you’ve made a great accomplishment, or perhaps you never had GAS at all.  But what if you have another hundred reasons not to get out there and photograph.

What’s the point of any of this if we don’t make photographs? Yes, I know we all have busy lives, often filled with distractions … particularly during this difficult time in which we live. Well, guess what … all the more reason to photograph!  But more fundamentally, if you are not photographing, or photographing very little, you need to think about what is the point after all. Maybe you just want to collect neat gear because it’s fun. Or you want to spend your time on the forums and watch YouTube channels, or who knows what. If that’s the case then just go ahead and admit to yourself what you are and what you’re not.

I’m hoping you want to photograph and get out there, and if you’re having trouble that you want to do something about it. I’m convinced one of the biggest reasons why people don’t photograph very often, despite having the time available and equipment that would shock many of the greats, is the feeling they need to travel to some exotic location to make great pictures.

Nonsense!

You have to open your eyes and become more aware of your surroundings and the range of possibilities they offer.  That means new thinking concerning what’s really important in your life … and for that matter … life in general.

One of the best things I ever did was to create a focus for myself called the Two Hour plan, and I’m quite convinced that among the many things you can do, following it might be one of the single most important ways to get you to stop screwing around, get out there and make meaningful photographs. So what’s the plan? Again, for those that missed it, here is some of what I wrote before … Looking out for and discovering things of obvious and potential photographic interest that are within two hours of where I live. That sounds pretty vague but I actually think it’s a stroke of genius.  I can always be on the lookout for interesting and even bizarre and other out of the ordinary events to checkout. Or I can learn about things that are important to those that live near me and hang out with them. And guess what – it takes a lot of pressure off me concerning what to be photographing.  Now I’m surrounded by all sorts of opportunities!

So you might say I am pretty lucky to live where I do and that I have an unfair competitive advantage – Bucks County, Philadelphia, the Delaware River, New York City, the Jersey Shore, the Poconos … I could go on.  Yes it’s great, and I love living here, but I don’t think I am better off than anyone else. I truly believe that there’s always fertile opportunity wherever one might be if you’re open to it.

And by the way, none of this means I have dispensed with specific projects. Far from it!  A benefit of the Two Hour plan is that with enough outings and results new themes demanding additional focus may emerge.

I never thought about this idea before, despite it being so utterly simple and obvious.  Now that I’ve had this news flash I feel much looser, less pressured, and yes, somewhat liberated. When I am out and about I feel more creative and have even more fun.  Consider the Two Hour plan for yourself. It may be all you need to get out there and experience the same benefits and results I have!

Stay well,

Michael