So, are you getting enough?

FrankS

FrankS

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I'm married with 2 children at home, so I'm not getting enough. My job extracts a mental toll, and the day to day basic living considerations leaves me with not enough energy or inspiration. So how about you, are you getting enough photography in your life? How many times a week? I'd love to use my Leica M6 more than I presently do.
 
I'm not getting enough either Frank, I'd like to do it a couple of times a day, in new and interesting places and with other like-minded people.

But the people in city in which I live have a rather short-sighted view of this activity, being influenced by the hysterical mass-media.

So. I sit here, frustrated, rubbing an unopened film canister.
 
My daily commute includes about 30 minutes in downtown between buses on my way back. That totals to some 2.5 hours dedicated to photography per week, which seems about enough. At least there's always a backlog in processing/scanning.
 
Have a new house that needs a lot of work, keeping up with bills, helping my wife with her business and working a fulltime job leaves zippo time for me right now. I usually carry a camera to and from work but rarely shoot anything. When i do get a rare bit of time to myself I usually just use it to zone out and do nothing.
 
I have no family commitments to tie me down but the 'day job' gets in the way a bit - and the good old English weather can be a problem too. It's very rare that I don't shoot something 2 or 3 times a week (whether or not it was worth the bother is a different question!).

But by the time I have kept my website up to date, viewed and contributed to this and other forums, and read the odd photo magazine or two, photography is never far from my mind.
 
Most of what I do would be called "travel protography", and since I'm working I do'nt get enough time to travel. And when I'm out of work I don't want to spend the money.

Next big trip appears to be late January. Although I'll get in a weekend or two before that I'm sure. I have to finish the roll of B&W in the GSN.

And I like the thread title BTW...
 
Definitely not.

Still one kid at home - so not enough time.
One kid in college with the second heading there next year - so not enough money.

So sometimes I just fondle my IIIg or dry click my Visoflex.
 
I only work three days per week at a birding center in the San Pedro River National Conservation Area, and always have a camera at hand. When driving around, my camera sits on the passenger's seat in case I see something of interest.

So I use it most every day.
 
Photography is my day job too. But it's just that...a job. Doesnt give me any creative satisfaction really. Only on very rare occasions. Dont get me wrong I love our house and everything that goes with it, but I do get depressed about my lack of free time to do what I have a need to do but can't. Nice group therapy thread Frank!
 
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This has always been a frustrating thing for me since photography is not my profession. Until recently, I would do most of my photography while away on trips. But two-three weeks a year isn't enough.
About a year ago, I came up with a plan to change that. As a photographer who enjoys documentary work, I needed something more. So I started documenting the life of community theater. I basically just went into a theater and told the owner I'd like to photograph them. Whenever I can, I'll go by and shoot photos of all the behind the scenes stuff - generally ignoring the actual performances.
For me, this is great. I have a group of people doing interesting things in interesting settings. And if I go enough, they sort of look at me as just another piece of furniture in the place.

I'm not sure how much longer I'll work on the theater thing, but I've already got my eye on a few other potential projects, including a group that's trying to restore an old WWII bomber.

The point for me is that it provides a purpose for my photography. It's like I have an assignment that motivates me to get out more.
 
The story is told of a man who got a job backstage at Le Crazy Horse. The same story used to be told of the Folies Bergeres. Pick any other location you can think of where there are lots of scantily-clad or nude beauties.

The first month was heaven.

The second was hell.

After that, it was just a job.

Now, I don't think that photography will ever be 'just a job' for me, but there are bits I can do without. Shooting lots of TMY2 was wonderful. Eastablishing new dev times, checking its developer repertoire, losing the pink dye, etc., is a lot less fun.

The new Summarits are another matter. I can stick with the Ilford films and devs I know and love (and with E6, C41 and the M8) and there are no real drawbacks.

This is not to denigrate TMY2. It's great film, certainly better than TMY. But there is unenjoyable work involved in getting the best out of it (just as there was with HP5 Plus when I went back to that a few years ago).

So, sometimes I get too much. But generally I get all I want.

Cheers,

Roger
 
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I have found to be a problem of having too much time and too much money. The problem is when I have the time, I don't have the money and vice versa. I have resigned myself to the fact conditions are never going to be perfect so I have to push myself into working. It can be hard as I like to work on long projects. Once you gat passed the initial inertia, you have to keep the momentum going and that can be really hard.
 
More seriously, wifelette is taking the boy to a Flat Stanley play in Providence on 12/1 so that will be the first free day for myself in a long time. I have my fingers crossed for good weather and I would like to go out and shoot. I have only had one other "day off" like this in the last 6 months and that day I was home relaxing, then realized I was wasting time and I went out and played my only weekend round of golf of the year.

Time is an issue, but not a problem. I have a lot of fun even when I am "on the clock."
 
Not nearly enough. Between work, school, wife and daughter, there's little time left in the day. Typical; now that I have the means to get whatever gear I want, I don't have the time to use it! But at least I have a great subject when I do find the time 🙂
 

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Definitely not enough! Either don't have the time, or at times I find myself totally lacking in energy, inspiration, or motivation. I'm recording the entire Ovation TV series on the Genius of Photography in hopes that over the Thanksgiving holiday I can get some inspiration to go out and take more pictures.

I know part of my problem is this entire apprehension about even taking pictures in public any more. Our culture and atmosphere have become so antagonistic, that I have to admit I find myself asking "why bother." Isn't that cynical.

I have to figure out something, though. The longer I go without taking any pictures, the more my overall disposition begins to really sour.
 
On months I don't shoot, I print. Printing is so rewarding.

(2 kids, 1 wacky dog, 1 full time job, 2 part time jobs, kid's soccer, kid's baseball, skool projects, and helping my wife in her classroom job, I just take my camera with me everywhere).
 
Tuff question Frank ... I would like to quit my job and work in Leica factory, as a
simple worker ... I'm just a worker even now - and to take one film M body on 20
years credit ... I'm serious!
 
Well, who with a family, house and job doesn't sometimes feel like they don't have enough time for themselves? whether it's for photography or anything else. I am certainly in that boat. But you make your choices and you live with them.

I think Winogrand said to some students once, "When you're in school, your life is all arranged to do this. It's easy. When you get out and have a job and family, that's
when your passion for it will be tested".

One of the great things about photography is that you can do it anywhere, any time. Carry a camera all the time and you will find frequent opportunities to take pictures. You don't necessarily need big blocks of time alone. That's pretty much all I do. I don't often go out just to photograph any more. I might like to, but it is what it is.

I guess if you really need the time you will find it. Give up something else. Like the internet.

Cheers,
Gary
 
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