Like many I found myself getting involved in the Strobist fad made popular by the original Strobist David Hobby.
I bought the manual control flashes, the wireless triggers, the portable light stands and compact umbrellas. The thing I forgot was that I did not really have a need for portrait photography in the first place.
I did learn alot about lighting during this phase but most of the gear is now sitting unused in a closet. And I do not hesitate to drag out the gear when the situation demands it but I have to think that I did a bit of overkill on the purchasing.
I feel that photography in general seems to have that “more Gear required” attitude to it. I can’t get the shot I want because I don’t have … This can make photography a whole lot more expensive than it needs to be and can actually reduce your enjoyment of the hobby as well.
If you are using photography to make money then it is a different story and the more power to you on your purchases but again ask yourself How often am I going to use this? Can I do this another way without a big outlay in equipment?
Save you money so you can travel to those locations you want to take that great shot in.