I often have the best of intentions about carrying my camera with me and making photographs when we’re just out doing random stuff. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, but way too often I talk myself out of taking my camera along, figuring that either I won’t see anything worth shooting, I won’t have time it will be a hassle or it will make me “conspicuous.”
Last Saturday night Kathy & I had planned a bit of an adventure, parking in uptown Charlotte, walking around a bit then taking the trolley out to the Elizabeth neighborhood for dinner and a concert. I went back and forth all afternoon about my camera, talking myself into and then out of it a number of times. Yes, self-inflicted angst is one of my specialties!
At some point in the afternoon I read one of Monte’s recent posts about Christmas in Old Town Fort Collins, and it gave me the resolve I need to say “darn it, I’m taking my camera!” I knew it wouldn’t be a problem anywhere, but just to be safe I figured out how to keep it out of the way at dinner and took one of my smaller lenses so it wouldn’t be too hard to carry (or hide, if I felt like I needed to).
As it turned out, we had a booth in the restaurant with plenty of room to put the camera on the seat next to me. One unnecessary worry out of the way. I knew it wouldn’t be a problem at the concert because it was at a church and not a big arena with metal detectors and security Nazis. Second problem solved! The only (relatively minor) glitch came when we found out that the trolley had broken down, and along with it our ride back into town! Fortunately it was only about a mile. We could have gotten an Uber, but it made for a nice, but chilly, walk.
All it all it was no big deal. I didn’t get any really great photos, but that wasn’t the point. It was more about the practice, and the point was just to get out with the camera. Hopefully I’ve learned a lesson that taking my camera along isn’t that big of a deal most of the time, and that I can spend more time making photographs and less time making excuses!
I’ve carried a camera for so long now it feels awkward not to have it, even though I also carry my smart phone. I wonder if my family and friends would think something was wrong with me if I showed up without a camera. It seems we will always find photographic opportunities. This past summer I was invited to my daughters house for a BBQ pork feast. After stuffing myself I took a walk around their home in the country. I grabbed my camera as I headed out for the walk. I captured one of my favorites sunsets images on the west side of their house. When I head to Old Town I almost always have either the 27mm f2.8 pancake or the new 35mm f2.0 lens. Both are small and inconspicuous. These lens mounted on either of my cameras seems to always open opportunities for conversations.
And, there is nothing worse for me than “self-inflicted angst.” Great set of images, by the way!
Monte, that’s exactly how I see myself when I’m feeling bold and confident, the guy who always has a camera. Some people see me that way but many do not. I’m definitely trying to do better!
I love the prime lenses because they are small and inconspicuous as you say. But I’m so used to zooms that I usually end up opting for one of them when I’m not sure what I’ll see. Fortunately the zooms are also relatively small compared to the big honkin’ Canon lenses I used to haul around. There was no hiding those!
I hope you have a great Christmas and get lots of good photos!
Well, I’m glad that you got some inspiration from Monte and decided to carry your camera. I go through these vacillations sometimes … take it, don’t take, take it, don’t take. Usually, when I take it, I’m glad that I did. If I don’t, well you know what happens, something “cool” will appear and I won’t have the camera. 🙂
Good point, Paul. We all have to find our inspiration somewhere. Sometimes mine comes from Monte, sometimes it comes from you, sometimes…who knows? It’s a subject for an upcoming post, but I’m intending to do a better job with taking my camera along this year. You’re exactly right, it’s tough to take a picture without a camera. And while we always have our phones it isn’t the same.