5 Things I Learned During My (GAS) Break From Youtube

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[@petersuvara]

KZbin is 90% GAS... Creativity comes from within, now what you buy.

[@OneMonthTwoCameras]

My favorite kind of video. I can relate to all your takeaways.

[@dericsanchez4081]

I do also think that it’s a balancing act with becoming obsessed and also allowing yourself to enjoy things you like.

[@JackieDElia]

This is a conversation worth hearing. I’ve struggled with my addictive personality and you’re right awareness is the first step. Getting more things is not the answer to improving your skills. Projects vs products! Stories vs reviews! Consumerism is not fulfilling, experiences are.

[@RandumbTech]

Lots of people can relate to this! The videos I feel best about making are the ones that I’m solving for someone’s pain point or providing a long term review rather than first impressions. In my head, I think I’m going to do way more with my gear than I actually do, which helps justify the purchase. That being said, I do think it’s ok to invest in multiple systems that serve different purposes. There is no one camera that can do it all, that’s for sure!

[@koba2802]

One of your best videos. I think a lot of viewers can relate, especially if we have a family and are busy with kids. We don't have the same amount of time and money as the young single demographic, but it's worth it (most days 😆). I've stopped watching camera reviews since I already have 6 cameras for various purposes, including family stuff and KZbin videos. I "only" bought two cameras this year, but i also traded away three so my collection is shrinking. Consuming less KZbin has helped as it's hard to be tempted by things that I don't know exist. Frankly, it's hard to keep up with all the new gear. Please continue to make these talking head videos. Sure, they may be buried by the algorithm, but they are valuable to those who have been watching for a while and can relate to the family/work/hobby balancing act that we all struggle with. This video will be going into my Favorites. 🤙

[@MikePGuitars]

I think one of the reasons you have a good number of faithful followers is that a lot of us can relate to exactly what you’re describing here. GAS is real. And you’re right that doing the thing, whatever the thing is, will keep the GAS at bay. I’ve experienced this across many different hobbies. When you’re actually doing the thing and run into legit limitations or frustrations, that’s what should drive the gear. Not KZbin scrolling. The addictive personality thing is also very real. For me (and it sounds like you too), one of the ways it manifests is in a desire to create the thing you enjoy consuming. I really envy the people who can just enjoy a thing without being driven to learn how to also do the thing. Whatever that gene is, I don’t have it.

[@ericrjennings]

Yeah man spot on.

[@dan.allen.digital]

Picture your day as a shelving unit full of boxes. You were given the ability to take one box off the shelf at a time and focus on what's inside with intensity. It sounds like you always take the same box off the shelf though. Imagine if you were able to use that super power of yours to focus intently on all the different boxes on your shelf (one at a time still), those boxes being your family, kids, etc and not cameras? Hearing you speak it was like looking into a mirror of my own personality. Now that you have awareness of the way your brain works, it's time to make the best use of your super-power.

[@randkalik]

Eric, not boring at all. Really nice conversation. For those of us who are addicted to something, we get you. And I liked hearing about your Android phase. I was the same, but I never adopted an iPhone. It's a Google world, got to have a Google phone.

[@wheezzy101]

Really deep self-reflecting. I relate to everything you said. I too have a bit of an obsession issue, friends are probably annoyed by all the useless camera knowledge I have in my head. I have all these ideas down but I don't act on them because I end up doom scrolling or endlessly watching videos (in my down time/typically at night). As a dad with two kids I also spend almost all of my time supporting them. I just can't or don't want to take the time to work on a project which would take my (already limited) time away from my kids. I have a few projects I work on that are not tied to people directly but even that just gets thrown into a folder and I don't spend the time I should on them. It is a hard cycle to break. Since getting a Leica M I really have slowed down with the gas, but I am always wanting to pick up some AF camera for one handed shooting around family. I'll pick something up and it just feels hollow so I sell it and go back to the M. Until eventually those feelings start creeping in again. Also, when there is a bit of a lul between shooting is when I find myself researching gear. Then I finally get some time to shoot and that gas goes away for a while. My current "dilemma" is that I moved to an overly rainy environment and now I am looking up weather resistant solutions haha, it is never ending really. My goal eventually is to include my daughter in my projects when she's older. She shares an interest in photography (for now) so it would be something we can do together and grow closer all while satisfying that creative itch in a more meaningful way. The meaningfulness to it could very well just be that I am spending time with my daughter through a medium I am passionate about.

[@kyleruth6921]

Can relate a lot. Been there with a lot of things, android phones included! That hyper focus and need to know everything or be able to do everything in some area is both a blessing and curse. I can get really good at something really quickly but that comes with a very high level of obsession and need for perfection.

[@ryanpiercefurniture]

I’ve got a similar personality. Thanks for putting this out there!

[@arbolifestyle]

I really identify with you and what you say in the video, and I also went through a phase of leaving KZbin for a while and realizing that the gas disappeared. However, the amount of photos I took also decreased. It's funny that when I go back to KZbin it inspires me to take more photos but also to want to buy more gear. In the end I feel like I'm incredibly easily influenced and that what I should do is go to therapy.

[@JoeLopez]

I tell ya. My X100 and X-T3 cover most things for me. I only have the 27mm and 50-140 (for hockey). I am looking to add a pocketable RX100V to the mix however.

[@GatorheadLuis]

I can relate to a lot of this.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

Struggles of the suburban dad photographer 🙋‍♂️

[@MikeLikesChannel]

My new to me 50R is pushing 8. My film camera is pushing 40 years old. I gave up 120 because it’s $3/click in color 😳 - the 50R is close enough with a Portra and Tri-X recipe. And I still have a 35mm. We’re at a point where if you’re not shooting pro sports or need advanced autofocus, you’re fine with what you have. But yeah, that sentiment doesn’t benefit the KZbin algorithm.

[@donjagoe]

That’s the most insightful thing I’ve watched in ages. You and I are very, very alike. We (both) need to select a project and execute it. Can be any subject, any output, just do it. Put an endpoint to it and just start. With whatever gear we have or select. No excuses accepted; just do it. Thanks for the honesty.

[@deathrat]

This video was hitting home until you talked about android roms. Then it hit me like a truck. Thanks a ton

[@ToddPangburn]

#3 about needing a purpose or project really resonated with me. Thanks for putting your thoughts out there.

[@paullafleur6112]

I can relate. Thanks

[@amy.naegele]

Good insights - I see a lot of that in my own life/photography journey. Happy holidays!

[@ericrjennings]

Thanks Amy. You too

[@bigrobotnewstoday1436]

Like others are saying KZbin is 90% gas. For the most part I have my gas under control. And I just watch KZbin for stupid fun entertainment. Sometimes gas will kick in if I watch a video and then go on eBay. I shoot weddings and I have a lot of M43 year. I have enough even if my gear for stole at a wedding and had a wedding the next day. Sometimes I think about going full frame but it's not cheap. For me I'll need three bodies and f2.8 zooms and some primes. Plus battery grips extra batteries plus new memory cards. And then a new computer. And you know what done of my brides care what I shoot on so why do I care? Because I'm a geek nerd. Emily from Micro Four Thirds Nerd. Did a side by side of her studio and she likes full frame better for that setup because her camera shelves are blurded out. I agree full frame looks better. But when she showed the M43 look the colors shifted to cold blue of she used the same white balance M43 is not bad. M43 is still in second place but a better second place. But if I go full frame then I lose the safety net that Olympus has displaying the image for 0.3 seconds. And I can still shoot if my finger is half press shutter lock. Those feature saved my butt a few times when changing settings and not messing up. I keep saying I might buy a full frame at some point but it's just going to be a add on not a full blown wedding setup.

[@stevemphoto]

Dude...I watch your videos to make sense of my mind lol. I literally have said the exact same thing about having thousands of dollars in gear just sitting on the shelf. That has been the fuel behind my gas for years. I'm getting close to ending my issues with gas...but it'll probably not go away completely. I think for me it is to have strict restrictions on what my main "inspirational" camera is...like one camera one lens and then my shelf camera can be any used whatever brand with a kit zoom when I need more flexibility. I'm not quite there yet...but my gear is starting to make more sense.

[@ericrjennings]

Same spot. The second camera I get needs to be simple (1 body / 1 lens) and go everywhere

[@grahamniven]

Hi Eric, gadgets are certainly very addictive, know exactly how you feel. On the subject of goldilocks cameras, have a look at the new Nikon Z50ii its subject detect AF is very impressive, it could be the one body to do everything for you. Mine could easily replace all my other cameras, but not my two D700s, nothing would make me part with them. Or my Fuji X-T10, its never going either.

[@rjbiii]

Consumerism is honestly bad 👍 Glad to see you're making progress. Not a boring video at all. Gear is fun but creating things is way more fun and rewarding. Try to avoid just moving on to another gear obsession, especially cars/trucks. That is the worst lol.

[@o.2372]

Nice to see You back 🎉

[@ericrjennings]

Thanks!

[@vincepetitjean]

yea the more you just go create the less you sit and think about what gear you want to get or what gear will "make" you go create

[@ginakitsuse2796]

Enjoyed this video and can relate to some points made. Look forward to more videos :) Merry Christmas

[@ericrjennings]

Merry Christmas

[@sdhute]

Nice to see you back EJ

[@ericrjennings]

My man

[@sdhute]

@@ericrjennings I can definitely relate to your sentiments in this video. I struggle the same way

[@LouisLuzuka]

Welcome back 😮

[@richardfink7666]

That was all just not boring. P.S.: Photography is just a hobby so no stress!

[@robmcd]

Buy an old 4 runner. Document getting it expedition ready Document a trip to northern peninsular A trip to yosemite Blah blah blah you can do this

[@hasenmyer]

I've told you this before but 5 years ago I could have told you about ANY golf club, by ANY manufacturer for about a 5-7 year span...LOL, so I know about the addiction. Part of the reason I stay out of the casinos around here. Cameras are getting pretty boring though, I buy one then send it back b/c the "excitement" wears off before the 30 days. I think when my youngest kid graduates (here in a few months) I'm going to sell all my FF gear

[@ericrjennings]

@@hasenmyer similar spot over here

[@RossLarson]

The t3i video that you're talking about might be "Does your camera matter? (Canon Rebel T3i)" by Ross Radcliffe. That video was indeed excellent. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKXceIOgqbt1gMUsi=TiVI-Omgpkw_yy5E

[@ericrjennings]

Yeah I think that’s it.

[@Honkus]

All this sounds so familiar to me. Way to similar..... Have gone all over the place with GAS for a few years and trying to reign that in. Currently just using X-E4 with the 27mm f2.8 for my pocketable camera (I still have the small f2s, but maybe I should sell) and I have a Nikon ZF when I need a "better camera" for kid concerts and sports and landscape trips. Have more lenses than ai need and I need to clear out some strategically. Have the same addictive personality and always go all in. Turning 50 next year and trying to get some direction in my life as I cross that milestone and simplify.

[@ericrjennings]

Seems we are at a similar junction