kind of crazy to think that one photo was shot with over 10g's worth of gear.
do you mean 1 camera + flashes, etc was worth 10,000$?
it is not that out of the question if you are combining things...
like say you take reynolds doing that same trick down carlsbad, he had at least 2 filmers on video cameras that were probably at least $3000 each, plus photographer, maybe even 2 photographers, and those cameras are pretty damn expensive im sure, plus all the flashes and shit, that had to be worth at least $10,000, and shit like that is going on daily.
im sure during some of your projects where you have had double angles and a photographer you would be nearing 10,000$