Is photography a hobby or an obsession?

[Roy C]

I have only been into photography for just over two years. It started as a hobby when I took early retirement but I fear it has now turned into an obsession

[miketoll]

Hobby or obsession? Both.

[robski]

My name is Rob

My obsession with photograph started 30 years ago.
My addiction quickly started to grow.
It first started with the mags.
Then the craving started.
Sweats were breaking out as I waited for the bookshop to open for the next issue of the monthly AP
This led to the hard stuff.
Caught peering through photographic shop windows.
Search through the mags for new venues to get a better fix.
Entering these premises and spending the Child Allowance to feed my addiction of sniffing film developer
I ended up exposing myself in public
They tried to get me join a club for my addition but I saw there were in a bigger mess than me.
This went on like this for 10 years or more.
It led me into sin and making graven images for all to worship
A flood in my darkened room made me see the light, help was able and I slowly become less dependent
But the odd urge was difficult to resist and I would find myself slumped in a corner with a disposable having a quick flash.
Three years ago some slease bag introduced me to the digital stuff
Ten time more addictive.
When you can't get the good stuff the withdrawal pains reduce to to fits of depression.
To see people so high and happy with their new gears drives you to crime to get a fix
I assaulted my lens 3 weeks ago and now I am imprisoned within 4 walls as a punishment
After I have paid a heavy fine to the repairman and served 100 hour of community service I will be allowed back into society

[jamieZ740]

Originally Posted by robski

My name is Rob

My obsession with photograph started 30 years ago.
My addiction quickly started to grow.
It first started with the mags.
Then the craving started.
Sweats were breaking out as I waited for the bookshop to open for the next issue of the monthly AP
This led to the hard stuff.
Caught peering through photographic shop windows.
Search through the mags for new venues to get a better fix.
Entering these premises and spending the Child Allowance to feed my addiction of sniffing film developer
I ended up exposing myself in public
They tried to get me join a club for my addition but I saw there were in a bigger mess than me.
This went on like this for 10 years or more.
It led me into sin and making graven images for all to worship
A flood in my darkened room made me see the light, help was able and I slowly become less dependent
But the odd urge was difficult to resist and I would find myself slumped in a corner with a disposable having a quick flash.
Three years ago some slease bag introduced me to the digital stuff
Ten time more addictive.
When you can't get the good stuff the withdrawal pains reduce to to fits of depression.
To see people so high and happy with their new gears drives you to crime to get a fix
I assaulted my lens 3 weeks ago and now I am imprisoned within 4 walls as a punishment
After I have paid a heavy fine to the repairman and served 100 hour of community service I will be allowed back into society

superb!

[jamieZ740]

Originally Posted by birdsnapper

"My other constraint is time. Maybe when I'm retired I'll let loose properly!"
Time: probably the most important thing a photographer can have - after patience.

a lanky Philosopher once told me,

"Jamie, if we do not have time, we make time"

He was refering to the massive job list he gave me, that he thought could be executed within 'no time'. I took this wisdom onboard and now use this system during my cigarette breaks.

i feel this wisdom, deserves, now, to be passed on.

Use this system at your own risk

[Ant]

Why join a photography club? Especially when your already a member of the best photography club.




Incase your wondering, it's this one.

Thank you all for the delightfully wide spectrum of replies.

I liked Duncan's advice and pleased to find a heap of Daler card, a dedicated 45deg rule mounted cutter etc came to less than a 20 pack of A3 paper and I may still have a drawing board and T square in the shed

Derek's climbing pics show one the difference between mild addiction (tho sorry about Rob's slightly worse case) and true obsession and addiction usually ending in death

I would have thought a decent philosopher would have been able to persuade you that time is a false artifact of the human mind, Jamie

Although WPF is an excellent club for computer displayed pics, which may also stretch to projected ones, printed pics seem to me an almost totally different world which one can only learn by looking at and comparing prints. The other thing I remain mystified over with WPF is why folks vote for particular comp pics, sometimes it is obvious, sometimes a complete mystery. A live judge explains a bit about what is grabbing him/her and one may not agree, but at least a point of view is explained. We get that to an extent on comments

[jamieZ740]

Originally Posted by Chris

I would have thought a decent philosopher would have been able to persuade you that time is a false artifact of the human mind, Jamie

yeah, he was not decent.. i shouold really try remember them all, it would make a good mind boggling post!

[Birdsnapper]

My name is Mike: I'm a photographer. There, I've said it, and getting out in the open helps. Perhaps we could have regular meetings to give each other support in our addiction.

[SDPhotography]

I would say for me, its a fine line between the two

For example, cars are my hobby and my obcession...everytime I get money, I think about what project I can buy to start something new, or what I can buy to get my current car up to show spec (long way off)

With photography, I love it, I love experimenting with different styles of photography, but much like my car, I keep finding myself with money and instantly bouncing on Ebay fighting with my conscience as to whether I should buy myself something for the car or a new lens......

Just to add, theres a Canon 50mm prime F1.8 on its way hahahaha