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Comment by ghaff | Hacker News Reader

While the OP's case is somewhat Instagram-specific, people also just get burned out of hobbies. I was very seriously into photography in school, editor of various school pubs, etc. After I graduated I really just shifted to taking slides on vacation for quite a few years. It was really only after digital came in that I did photography more seriously again--and, even then, still mostly when traveling (which is normally a lot of the time).

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Hm, interesting...

Every once in a while I think about whether I should sell all my photo equipment. I got a Fuji S5 Pro, some flashes, stuff like that, nothing fancy. Really loved using all of it before I went to study and work afterwards, so pre-2015.

These days I'm fascinated by the quality of my smartphone camera and haven't touched the Fuji for years (ok, took a dozen profile pictures last year, doesn't really count for me).

I feel like I've "burned out" on that hobby and should probably free the space in the cabinet by selling everything.

What's your take on this?

I find taking photos with my phone much more accessible to these days. Memory cards, editor programs, just too much of a hassle.

Same goes for me. I also got Snapseed installed which really help with touching up one or two bits, but I rarely use it.

Copying files, starting up Bridge and Photoshop... It just feels so... "stressful", when I just want to take a picture to send to a friend.

While I will share "snapshots" from my phone, I do like to periodically go in, add metadata, curate, lightly edit, organize, etc. photos in Lightroom. It's pretty much the only way to access them in a reasonable way a few years later.

I use the Apple Lightning to USB dongle to attach my camera to my phone and then edit the photos in Darkroom to be able to quickly share with others the photos I just took. The hassle of memory cards and sorting happens later.

Every time I take a photo with my phone I'm disappointed with the result. I'd almost prefer a camera-less phone so I'd be forced to take a proper camera with me.

Smartphones are pretty good for a lot of people and, truth be told, I probably use mine more than my other gear.

I have a pretty big Canon EOS system that had its start back in film days although it's a not-current FF digital body now. I mostly use it for events where the lighting isn't as good or where I want a longer or wider lens. But it honestly doesn't see a lot of use. I've thought of selling the whole thing but there are times I would miss it so I haven't.

I also have a Fujifilm X-E3 with a few lenses which is my go to for travel when I'm not just going to shoot some casual shots with my phone.

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