If you tuned-in to the This Week in Photo hangout last night, you heard a familiar theme surface once again: gear vs art.

Somewhere along the line, photography equipment became the mistress that everyone desired, but dared not admit it out loud. Instead I often hear: "It's all about the art." "People take pictures, not cameras."

Come on.

I can have a beer and not become an alcoholic. And I certainly can admire a finely crafted instrument without turning in to a Philistine. Just like everything else in life, it's about moderation.

I think about photography a lot. It's probably the second most pervasive thought running through my head. But I can't take pictures all the time. I have responsibilities: family, pets, laundry, bill paying, car maintenance, businesses to run and places to be. I'm lucky that I get to express my creativity as much as I do.

And the cool thing about gear is, I can think about technology, lenses, and cameras while I'm folding my T-Shirts (yes, I do my own laundry). I can mentally debate between the Sony a7 and Olympus E-M1 while I'm buying kitty litter. These are the things that keep me excited about photography when I can't take pictures.

I'm fine with, "It's not all about the gear." Of course. I'm an artist too. But I'm not going to let anyone rain on my parade. I'm having too much fun.

-Derrick