The idea of always carrying a camera is not new. Many people carry a camera with them every day and have been doing so for years. There are daily photoblogs all over the internet.
One might argue that always carrying a camera lends itself to a certain shooting style, a style that is more documentary in nature. Street photography.
Recently I have become more and more interested in the idea of always carrying a camera. Up until recently I have always set aside specific time for photography. I would plan when and where I would go to photograph. I would then carefully pack my camera bag and drive to my location. Only then would I let the subject come to me.
This is in contrast to grabbing the camera on your way out the door to the local corner store, to work or wherever you might be going and then be at the ready if a subject presents itself as you go through your day.
In August 2009 I gave myself a personal challenge to carry my Canon G9 (since replaced by Canon with the Canon G11) with me in order to make photographs every day. This resulted in my August Snaps project. The images that I derived from this project were hardly coherent, but the project led to several images I’m very pleased with today such as this one.
My growing interest in the idea of always carrying a camera could very well be a function of lack of time to set aside specifically for photography. Since becoming a father about 17 months ago life has changed, and time has become a scarce resource for me. Don’t get me wrong though. There are many other things that attracts me about the idea of always carrying a camera with me.
In this video Jay Maisel just about sums it up with these little nuggets of gold:
If I carry a camera I never have to go out shooting, I’m always out shooting.
The serendipity of not knowing what I’m going to shoot is what keeps me going.
To me if I go out and there is something I have to shoot, that’s almost like a job. But if I go out and I have no idea what I’m going to shoot, that’s like an adventure.
Watch the video for yourself and gleen a few more wise words from the great Jay Maisel.
I’d also highly recommend that you listen to Ibarionex Perello’s recent interview with Jay Maisel over at The Candid Frame.
The idea of always carrying a camera with you have also recently been popularised by Chase Jarvis and his work with the Apple iPhone. Chase Jarvis has just published a new book titled:
The Best Camera Is The One That's With You by Chase Jarvis
I have been inspired by Chase Jarvis’ encouragement to use your mobile phone camera more often to make pictures. Consequently I made this photo with my camera phone recently in Bangkok Airport on my way to celebrate Christmas back in Denmark:
It’s not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but I was intrigued by the strong lines in the window combined with the complex reflections in each of glass sections of the window. I simply decided to make a capture of what I saw. It was easy, convenient and straight forward. Who said technology is not fascinating?
Anyway, I recommend that you check out Chase Jarvis book for yourself The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You: iPhone Photography by Chase Jarvis to get inspired to make photos with your mobile phone camera.
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31. December 2009 at 1:14 am
Nice article!
When I go out with a certain idea in mind (I call it “photo trip”) – then I take my DSLR and an additional lens with me.
However, when this is not the case and I just leave the house, I grab my compact camera which I “store” near our entrance. Sometimes I just put my keys directly besides the camera, so I don’t forget it when going out.
Congrats to the G11! I would be interested to see some pictures. All I have read so far are technical reviews, not personal ones.
31. December 2009 at 7:16 pm
Thanks Timo!
It’s a great idea to keep the compact near your other daily things like your keys as you mention. Simply but effective, I think I’ll adopt that idea!
Sorry, I must have expressed myself a bit unclear about the Canon G11, I still use the Canon G9, I simply meant to say that the latest model from Canon is now the G11.
The G11 is said to perform much better at higher ISO settings whereas I find that the noise levels in the G9 are quite high at ISO 400 and up.
Happy New Year!
1. January 2010 at 12:44 am
Great post, Thomas, I really need to be reminded that taking photos is more about the motif and a little less about what gear is used. And talking about mobile phones, one aspect that I find interesting is the ability to instantly upload and share the photos on the net. As you point out, some very cool things can be achieved on a mobile phone.
However, inspired to bring a camera along a little more often, I have invested in a G11, and I have to say that I´m really happy with it. And for christmas I got a Speedlite 270ex, so I hope I will be able to identify new photographic opportunities…
Anyway, Happy New Year, Thomas!
2. January 2010 at 3:53 pm
Thanks a lot Trond and Happy New Year to you too! Congratulations on the Canon G11, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the compact nature of this high powered camera. Perhaps you can share some images with us from this camera?
Sounds like Santa was kind to you with that Speedlite 270ex too!
Look forward to see your new images!
2. January 2010 at 5:15 am
Good article – & Chase Jarvis’ advice is very sound because it keeps me constantly thinking about photo opportunities, almost to the point of seeing everything through an imaginary lens!
2. January 2010 at 3:58 pm
Thanks David, I appreciate the feedback.
I know what you’re saying and I believe seeing even when you don’t have a camera with you (or perhaps when you just a mobile phone camera) is really great practice too. As you say it helps keeping you thinking about images and photo opportunities all the time.
Do you have the book by Chase Jarvis? I’ve got it on my shopping list for my next round of photography book purchases eventhough I don’t own an iPhone (not that you have to in order to enjoy the book).
6. January 2010 at 1:37 am
I agree with you whole-heartedly Thomas – having kids has done more to get me to value my time than anything else. I shall be getting a G11 for a present soon, and look forward to having it with me always.
I did take my DSLR to work with me every day for a few weeks, but I couldn’t keep carrying it all the time – certainly not on the way to meetings etc.
How many times have I seen something that’s held my attention for a while, such as that lovely set of reflections in your ‘photo? More than I can remember. There is something beautiful in scenes that have occurred once and will never be quite the same again. I don’t want to say “if only I had my camera” again!
6. January 2010 at 11:36 pm
Hmmm, so you know what you get in presents huh Mike? Have you been sneaking around the house secretly looking for presents
Thanks for your comment.
Well, it seems like a natural progression, to capture images when you can, from A to B, because it’s extremely difficult to take the time out for shooting we used to do, at least so it is for me.
I can’t remember the last time I took my camera bag and headed out for a few hours with the sole intention of creating images. If I do this today I immediately feel like I’m missing out on what is already quite scarce spare time with my daughter.
Hence the solution is to try and incorporate photography into life as it is now which might mean less dedicated time and more opportunistic photography.
However, on the other hand I upgraded my 20D to a 5DMKII, and I really want – and should – use that camera A LOT more.
Well, who said life was ever easy!?
Happy New Year to you and yours! Will we see you down under in 2010? Perhaps if we met up – just the two of us – that could be a good excuse to give the DLSRs a good workout!
Thomas
8. January 2010 at 1:44 am
Cheers Thomas,
I know what you mean – I feel torn between photography (which is often a solitary pursuit, by which I mean boring for any non-photographer who comes along with you) and spending time with my wife and son. Family time usually has the biggest draw for me – I keep thinking I can always take photos another day, but kids grow up so fast, I hate to miss a moment. Luckily I have a great wife and we manage to make space for each other to spend a bit of time doing their own thing.
I hope we make it to Sydney or Melbourne this year (depending on where I can find work) – we certainly don’t fancy another Scottish winter!
P.S. I’m really enjoying your critiques – it’s great to see how someone else thinks about a photo. Your responses are really well though through, and I am continuing to learn.
25. May 2011 at 1:19 am
I feel the same way, there is no way I would carry around my camera bag, sometimes for a walk I would take the SLR with a 35mm fast lens and wouldn’t even care for the bag at all. But for every day I definitely use either the iPhone or a P&S.
Here are some of my “snaps” with my pocket point and shoot (Canon S90):
http://flic.kr/p/9E2MEw
http://flic.kr/p/9DBFpW
http://flic.kr/p/9D94zf
http://flic.kr/p/9C8Ugb
And this with a crappy Canon P&S (SD20):
http://flic.kr/p/hTYen
And this with a Sony Mavica:
http://flic.kr/p/hvwF9