What are you wishing for?

Well, it's that time of year. What are you hoping Santa Claus/Chanukah Zombie/Kwanzaa Bot will bring you?

I'm hoping that there's a shiny new Sigma 10-20 under the tree for me. And if I've been real good (and I don't think I've been that good) a couple of HDDs and a RAID card so I can make a RAID 1 array for backups.

So, what's everyone else hoping for?

More time outdoors shooting.

I'm hoping that my wife and family will buck the system. Our society has gone crazy during this season, forgetting what it is about and putting themselves in tremendous debt. During the Christmas season alone we spend 154 billion dollars for things, most of which will be forgotten in a few weeks, with almost half of that spending being debt which we spend the rest of the year paying off! It is insane!!! The retailers have somehow convinced us that the way to express love for our kids and others is by the amount we spend on them. It is ludicrous! I'm hoping that this year I can find ways to express love through giving things that actually have meaning: time with people, photos I've taken, cookies for neighbors, etc. Perhaps some of that money I save I can spend on those in our world who don't have clean water to drink, clothes to wear and many of the things we take for granted.

Sorry for hijacking this thread! I'd love a new camera and new gear but only when I can justify having it. Our country has gone wild with consumerism and debt and it's driving me nuts! Rant over!

I've got the Sigma 10-20mm, nahnahnahnah. On the serious side, I'm hip to what Erik says. We're not Americans anymore, we're consumers, and consuming at all costs. I hope my photographs arent an artifact of the the world as it once was. Peace to All of You.

i tend to give pictures for christmas and birthdays. i like to personalize my gifts and give them a picture of somewhere i know they like. At least my family likes it! :)

Well first of all, I'm with Erik on this one, but I say that after getting an early gift. A New Job, but not just any job, the job I've been trying to get back in to since I finished my Navy career. I just got a call offering me the job of Photojournalist for the Mountaineer Newspaper out of Ft Carson.

While it's not a glam glam sit in the office job I've had for the past several years, it is doing something I love to do everyday. I finally feel like I am going to be able to bring more security to my home and more harmony with my inner gratification of self worth!

Amy, I think I'm going to do the same as you and if I can get my tail in gear and get my newest book finished, I'll give them out as gifts this year!

But really, all i want for Christmas is the same thing I wish for every day. To be closer to family and friends, to share in the best of times and know that they are there during the worst of times! Peace on Earth and a bunch of other sappy crap.

If Santa wants to throw in a D3 or D300 and a Mac G5 with Adobe CS Preloaded, I won't complain!

I'm primarily asking for instructional books for CS3 and Lightroom.

I have a neice who's now three years old, and I was able to take a reasonable number of photos of her over the course of her first two years. Last year, my mom (her grandma) had been hassling me about getting some prints made, and I kept saying I'd get to it one of these days. The whole time I was putting her off, I was putting together a little photo book, and I gave one copy to mom and one copy to my sister for Christmas. They both cried as they flipped through all the pages and re-lived those first two years of Madison's life. I was the best son/brother ever! Sadly, I don't have anything to match that for this year.

Erik, I hope that's not the sales pitch you use at your gallery . Actually, I agree that going into debt to buy frivolous things that won't make you any happier is silly and out of control. Fortunately for me, no one would ever make a loan to a self-employed photographer .

It's hard for me to tell Santa what I want cause if I say I want a "77mm, 0.9 Neutral Density Filter," Santa just looks at me with a confused expression and I end up getting a 7.7 mm Type 99 Rifle. So now I just ask for a Playboy subscription and buy my own equipment .

I've been eyeing an Aquapac Waterproof Case for an old film camera. I think I'd need to buy a nice strobe light to really make good use of it and I don't think I want to invest in that just for the few times I'm near the ocean. But the Aquapac and 400F film might be fun to mess around with to decide if I'd ever want to get into it more seriously. Or maybe I'll just start with a disposable camera to see what kind of crappy results I'd get w/out a strobe.

You forgot a Festivus for the rest of us.

I'm shamelessly begging for a 70-200 F/2.8, or maybe an Epson 1800.

I'm with Eric, too. If Someone decides to gift me with anything, I hope it's some gorgeous scenery which I can photograph...

Santa doesn't usually spring for a $500+ lens, and my wife and I got a mutual present this year in the form of a very nice musical instrument... I just want Peace On Earth and an image to express it with...

Well said Eric.
Hope I don't sound like to much of a scrooge to say I've been thinking the same thing for the last 10 years.


But if Santa wanted to bring me more vacation time so I could come to Colorado more often that
would be great.

I like Adam's answer, but to get more time shooting outdoors away from home, I'd have to get more vacation time or just go without pay. Not too appealing.

I already got what I wanted for Christmas and I paid cash for it.

More Time.

Eric - well said. Seriously.


Me? I'm wishing for lots of snow.

I agree with your comments, Erik.
But, if people feel obligated to spend, I hope they pick up some of your prints as gifts. It's for a good cause.

A "restructuring" was just announced at the office.
In the past, that meant wishing for a job after the dust settled.
This year, I was overjoyed to turn in an "expression of interest" for a severance package.
The would be a great, unexpected, retirement present !!!
Either way, I plan to be in the San Juans for the wildflowers this summer.

You know 2007 has just crushed me with work and stress and bad health issues, first time in my life I have had to visit an emergency room (twice). I am just hoping I can get out more stay healthy and just enjoy what life brings me.

Good health for our two remaining pooches. A return trip to Colorado by Porcupine Tree. Naked, girl-on-girl-on-girl pictures (Or video! Even better!!!) of Jessica Simpson, Jessica Biel and Jessica Alba.

Agreed on the hyper-consumptive perspective, but as with most things, moderation with Christmas giving seems to be a reasonable balance. No photo-related stuff for me this year, though. Once the move is over, I'll be looking at a large-format printer. But given the upcoming move, Santa will likely be delivering a refrigerator...

50 sheets of perfectly developed shots would make my year..

RichieV

50 sheets of perfectly developed shots would make my year..

RichieV

That sounds like a New Years resolution issue Rich, but I'd be pretty darned happy with 50 correctly exposed and developed LF shots too.

Mel-

Mel,

BTW - Congrats on your new toy. Give me a call when you want to play sometime.

RV

A few things on my list:

More: time spent climbing and shooting, snowfall in the mountains, good books
Less: storms during the weekend, red apple sales, knee-jerk politics, traffic on I-70

For the Musicians, anyone looking for a Percussionist, Conga, Bongos and all the other little noise makers? If so, let's Jam!

Scott,

I agree with all of those except

More: Storms on the weekend!!

I'd like 6 free workshop sessions from Erik or Tony! Seriously though, I would like to become a better photographer and share my images with people who can appreciate God's creation. When I can afford it, I'd like to get a new Canon 5d and a 24-105 L lens. I don't want to run up credit charges though.

In the spirit of me not accumulating more debt, Mel feel free to give me a 4x5 for Christmas Or Les, a Taylor T5 so we can jam dude . Yuh, made the mistake of playing one of those at Guitar Center last weekend... in serious lust now! But, No! Erik... you hit a home run so lets remember whose birthday it is and spread a little peace on earth to our fellow human kind! It costs nothing but a warm wish and a big smile - so this one is for all of you my friends
John

Mamiya 28mm lens is high on my wish list. Oh yeah, I would like a workshop or tour with David Muench, Tom Mengelson too. Z3100 printer, yada, yada, yada!

Don't be a scrooge, worry about the debt some other time - the economy needs you.

Merry Christmas to All

...and Happy Holidays to anyone offended by that!

Uhh, 36-24-36?? (that's a form of lens )

I am hoping and wishing for my health and family to hold strong during the 2 years on the road. I am wishing for ALL to remain in good health and those that are sick to get better as soon as possible. And that the new year may be filled with happiness, and that ALL men re-learn how to care about fellow man, May everybody have a blessed rest of this year and a happy new year.

Time with the family, Time to get out and shoot, Time to enjoy the beautiful land we live in. More time would be nice (A new 5D wouldn't hurt either )

Happy Holidays everyone!

I was just informed minutes ago that the camera I had on preorder is shipping out and I should have it by Saturday at best, and Monday at worst given the time of year it is.

Oh yeah, the camera is a Canon 1DsMkIII. Just in time for my trip to Antarctica in January.

Erik, I couldn't agree with you more. I've done some evaluations and engineering design for homes for multi-billionaires in the resort areas of Colorado, plus every economic level in between. Our society is way out of control on spending. My parents live out of state, so our gifts to each other mostly consist of spending money on airfare and spending the time together. That's most important.

That being said, I think some gifts in affordable moderation are always nice. Like others, I wish I had more time than anything else.

James - congrats on the new job. I hope it leads to great things for you.

Great stuff everyone!

I echo Kalin's post 100% - More time with family and time to get out and shoot!

Of course we are all photographers and all enjoy nice new shiny gear when it comes our way.

But I think the thing to remember this time of the year is what really matters most - our friends, family and fellow man.

And even though it sounds like a cliche it is really hard to do when we get trapped in the consumer hamster wheel that Erik referred to.

This is especially true for me in my new job which I work as a contractor. So the more I work the more I get paid. And that next lens, camera, etc... is only n hours away.

Here's my list...
- Tromping through the forest on a blustery, snowy day with my family to cut down our own Christmas tree, and drinking hot chocolate afterwards. (already got that present)
- Having my whole family in town for the holidays.
- Experiencing the magic and delight of Christmas through my children's eyes - big, wide-open eyes full of wonder, happiness and love.
- Skiing and sledding on fresh fallen snow (Mother Nature, help me out here!).
- Broncos vs. Vikings tickets and a 4th quarter Broncos come-from-behind win.
Best wishes to all!!

A healthy family - especially since we're welcome a little girl into the world this winter (our 2nd)! The ability to keep doing what I'm doing is not taken for granted.

Although the pricey 220 ml ink cartridge or two in the stocking is always welcome!

James and John, unless you're interested in playing alongside a tinwhistle or a bodhrán, my skills are probably a bit lacking. I've got a nice keyboard and about a 5-year hiatus in practice on it...

Good health to all, and a Happy Holiday season!

Not sure this is what I'm looking for this season, but kind of a funky gift for us photographer-types:
http://www.whitestripes.com/lo-fi/lomography.html

More time to shoot and more wildlife subjects!