Constructive Thread #1: Where's your camera?

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Canon

05/20/2010 06:24:53 PM · #1

Okay......going under the assumption that the responses on some of these various threads indicate that there *IS* an interest in constructive threads, I propose that anyone, and everyone, who would like to, engage in discussion about who they are, how and why they do things, and to offer up their particular insight into what works.

My interest lies in the majority of the people that are here......the regular everyman/woman who has something of an eye, loves this ~~obsession~~ pursuit, and has various ways of doing things that when some others read about them, may think, "That's a cool idea! Maybe I should try that!".

So I thought I'd start out with my attitude, and way of having my camera available. In a nutshell, I take my camera virtually everywhere. Really. Everywhere. It's usually in the crook of my arm when I'm walking, it lives under the armrest in the center of my car between the seats when I'm driving, it sits on the counter of my workspace at work, or it's on the pew beside me in church.

That was kind of a PITA 'til I got myself trained, and it induced a certain level of self-consciousness 'til I got so used to toting it everywhere. Now it has gotten to the point where people actually ask me where it is if they don't see it. It just seems to me that I get shots that I wouldn't simply because I do have it all the time and since it's so much a part of everywhere I am, it's nothing for me to just stop what I'm doing and shoot.

All of these are pretty much semi-random shots that are because I have my camera with me all the time.

Each one of these is an image that when I look at it, I feel blessed for being in the right place at the right time.....they were wonderful glimpses of life. Having my camera with me to capture them made it really special.

So.....tell us about where you keep your camera, how you make it, and yourself available to get that shot that makes the difference between you, who is serious about this, and the person that usually remembers to take their P&S to the family cookout.

Message edited by author 2010-05-20 18:27:16.

JokersSoul

Canon EOS-50D

05/20/2010 07:05:34 PM · #2

While I am not as ~~psychotic~~ diligent as you are about carrying around my camera, I continuously ~~kick myself in the ass~~ wish that I had it when a great photo opportunity arises. I think about photography obsessively and think about all the great things that I have learned here on DPC.

I think a part of the learning process for me is taking pictures at every possibility and learning something from each of my shots. I have taken some really good ones, and some REALLY bad ones, but those few good ones keep me coming back for more.

Prash

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/20/2010 07:05:52 PM · #3

This is a great initiative. I do not think I have enough skill set or knowledge base yet to share my work here, but I appreciate you taking the time out to start this constructive thread. And I look forward to others sharing their work and stories for everyone to learn from.

P.S. I especially love image#4 with the kid. The presence of rock kind of adds a rawness to it.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/20/2010 07:18:27 PM · #4

If you don't have a camera with you it's hard to capture scenes like this ... ;-)

I almost always have one, and often two, cameras with me. I shoot lots of things which just seem interesting, even if they won't make a "great picture" (especially by DPC criteria). And, there are quite a few times when I didn't have a camera with me and wish I had -- far more than the times when I wondered why I'd bothered to drag the thing along.

JokersSoul

Canon EOS-50D

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Canon

05/20/2010 07:19:28 PM · #5

Originally posted by Prash:

I do not think I have enough skill set or knowledge base yet to share my work here,

Prash, looking through your portfolio, I see amazing shots. Share what you like. Who cares what other's really think. We are all here to learn and have fun, so don't be shy!

05/20/2010 07:31:16 PM · #6

Originally posted by Prash:

Well, I'd argue that you *do* have the skill set and/or knowledge base, but that isn't the point. What I'm trying to encourage by this thread is other posts, and threads, like this, outlining the things that make you the photog that you are, not as a skilled teacher, or technical expert, but the little things that make a difference here and there.

Surely there something that you do, or know, some little tip, trick, style, or mindset that you've developed that may help someone here just that teensiest bit.

Tell us about it.

Originally posted by Prash:

P.S. I especially love image#4 with the kid. The presence of rock kind of adds a rawness to it.

Thank you.

I was thrilled with that image. I was walking down the mountain from the day's work we were doing as part of our church mission. I was dog-tired, yet hhappy and fulfilled, and this little girl was just watching me from the schoolyard at the base of the path. The kids in this little village were just wonderful, and this image with her just hangin' out, and watching me with those big, beautiful eyes will stick with me forever. And I can share it, 'cause I took my camera with me to work that entire week.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/20/2010 08:32:24 PM · #7

Originally posted by JokersSoul:

You will find it gets easier as you take it with you more often. I feel funny when it's not with me....8>)

Originally posted by JokersSoul:

I think a part of the learning process for me is taking pictures at every possibility and learning something from each of my shots. I have taken some really good ones, and some REALLY bad ones, but those few good ones keep me coming back for more.

I don't even want to tell you how many shots I have since I got my D70s in July of '06. But I *am* getting better and it's because of this place and shooting constantly. The thing that most delights me is that some of the things I struggled with three years ago have become second nature. That means a lot to me.

pixelpig

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 1.8/50mm SAM

05/20/2010 09:11:30 PM · #8

Hey.

I have 3 cameras with me right now (I'm at work). We are experiencing Tstorms tonight & I am hoping for heavy rain as I drive home at 10pm. I bought my pocket camera (Lumix TZ3) just for shooting motion blurred lights in the rain at night (I can easily operate it with 1 hand). My fav subj doesn't go over very big at DPC, but it thrills me every time.

It might be easier for women to adapt to carrying a camera, as we are used to carrying a purse.

My question is, to be motivated to lug a camera around, a person has to want to take pictures. Why do we do it? Are we creating mementos? Exercising creative will? Chasing perfection? Seeking fame? Is life easier to bear if one is looking at it thru a viewfinder? What were you thinking when you took your first picture?

Abra

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/20/2010 09:21:13 PM · #9

I started to take my camera with me everywhere last year when I decided to start taking photo's for my own pleasure and not just for the family album. I got a shoulder bag that fit my camera and my other daily essentials. Most shots I take are opportunistic as I have yet to leave the house specifically for a photo shoot. I know my photographic skills have a long way to go before they are good and even further before I take shots that are in the higher end of a challenge result. But every challenge has taught me something new. The important thing is that I enjoy taking photos and having my camera with me all the time avoids disappointment and makes me feel a little bit like a photographer.

Here are some shots that I took last month that I like and would have missed without having my camera with me all the time.