The Rules
On 1st February all photographers enter ‘the pact’ it has only one rule –
No new cameras or lenses for the rest of the year.
Participants have the rest of January to order any/all new cameras for the year. The cut off is actual order placed midnight on January 31st in your local timezone.
The Liquid Photographers zine was born out of the One More Stop Discord server. I am Hot Pink Bulb, a portrait photographer who also works as a Graphic Design, Photographer and Maker.
The ‘no new camera’ pact started off as a rule for myself, it wasn’t about stopping buying gear, it was about locking in a set of equipment to get really used to over the majority of the year.
For 6 years now I have gave myself the challenge of no new cameras for blocks of 6 months or whole years.
We ran Liquid V1 in 2021, Liquid V2 and V2.1 in 2022, but they were just warm up for our first full year Liquid in 2023
Already Done Liquid Before?
Then you have to do one of these higher difficulty modes too.
Option A – No taking/sharing photos of cameras, unless its a selfie taken on said camera.
Option B – No browsing eBay or other camera shops
Option C – Do the One Only Challenge
Option D – Do the Every Day Carry Challenge
The FAQs
If it feels like cheating, it is.
We aren’t gonna check up on you, its up to you to keep tabs on yourself. You could lie, but then you are just cheating yourself.
Make a list.
Every time you find yourself looking for something specific, put it on a list, strike off anything you realise you don’t need, then work towards buying that stuff at the end of the year.
Work gear is excluded
If you use it to make money, that you have to declare to your goverment, thats work stuff and is exlcuded.
Can I buy ‘This thing’
If its a camera – No. If its a Lens – No.
Anything else goes, this includes add on ‘optics’ like teleconverters or filters.
What if someone buys me a gift?
Assuming you had no idea it was coming, didn’t drop any hints, then thats allowed. Make sure you give the person a print back in return to say thank you!
What if I get offered something cheap/free, or stumble across a great deal?
If its a blind ‘gift’ see above, otherwise I suggest a ‘Pay it Forward’ approach. Tell the person ‘I don’t need this, but I have a friend whose totally wanting to get into using this’ then find someone to gift it on to. Sell it on for a really good deal for someone else to enjoy.
I inherited something
If you inherit something from someone whose died, this is totally allowed. Its likely to be a sentimental item, that you should have a good go at using.
What if my camera breaks?
You are allowed to buy a replacement if its not economical to repair it. However it has to be like for like, if your RZ67 breaks and you fancy giving a Pentax 67 a go, then you are out.
Is my phone a camera?
If it has a camera, it counts. Getting a new phone, that isn’t a direct replacement for a broke one means you are out.
What should I spend my spare money on?
More film backs, better straps, a decent tripod. It is a good chance to improve all the areas that are lacking.
However my recommendation is to save up money to put towards buying loads of film, photo books, photo magazines, a nice sketchbook to take notes and create ideas.