Do you feel the need to have a camera with you at all times?

[robklurfield]

for all the times that I didn't have one with me over the years, I try to have one nearby, if not in a pocket or bag, as often as possible. I always have one when I bicycle. if you don't catch things when you see 'em, they vanish into thin air, often forever. also, carrying a camera makes me see differently and probably deeper. and, since the gear wasn't cheap, why not use it as often as possible.

 

[maddoc]

Very true maddoc... maybe there is some wisdom in your words that I can learn from...

... no wisdom at all ! 🙂 I just learned from experience (missed a couple of really good opportunities to take a photo ...😱) and now bring a camera with me almost every time I leave my apt, most often buried in a bag ...

 

[btgc]

I can leave a phone at home, but camera??? 🙂

Well, sometimes I know I will not want to take pictures, like this cold busy mornings when all my attention is spent otherwise. If Elvis would appear near me, I doubt I'd regret not having camera with me. Anyway I'd be blamed for faked shot 🙂

It also depends on weather - now I don't really want cold metal camera on me, this days I'm reverting to plastic stuff - I mean, for carrying daily.

 

[greyelm]

I wish I had my Lumix G1 to hand when I saw this in my front garden today. All I had to hand was my HTC Desire phone and managed to get about 20 shots with digital zoom on so the resolution is pretty low. This one is cropped.

 

[Peter S]

I am sure this has been posted on rff before www.unphotographable.com/ a text account of missed pictures.

 

[jsrockit]

I guess I've come to find that I'm ok with missing photos as long as I'm doing something else worthwhile with my time. On the way to work or going out alone, I always have my camera. However, I don't feel the need to bring it to a bar or restaurant.

 

[oftheherd]

For me there's a difference between need and enjoyment. I like to have a camera at hand, so I try to keep at least one, sometimes more in the car. However, at my work, I am not allowed to take photographs unless they are job related.

If I am not driving to work, it is sometimes more hassle than it is worth. However, even then I may have an XA, or Welta 35mm, or P&S digital.

 

[oftheherd]

Yes.

I carry a camera to keep the world around me safe and quiet. When I carry my camera, nothing dangerous or interesting happens within 10 miles of me.
I'm convinced we could achieve world peace by putting a camera in the pocket of every wannabe photographer in the world.

I have found where I live it helps to keep the tigers away. YMMV

 

[bensyverson]

I always have a capable camera on me. Usually in my hand. I define "capable" as "capable of making a nice 16x20," which, for me, rules out all digital compacts.

 

[exiled4979]

I've been thinking about buying a Canon S90/S95 for awhile now so I can have a camera on me at all times (despite having the iPhone in my pocket every day). However, I just don't get any joy from using these types of cameras... they just don't do it for me.

Also, lately, I just don't feel the need to have a camera with me at all times. I don't want to be "looking" for photos all the time ... sometimes I just want to float down the sidewalk daydreaming looking at pretty ladies, etc. 😱

Anyway, my point is that I've come to find that the type of camera is very important for me to get in the mood. People say the its the lens that matters, but I really feel it is the body as well. When I use the cameras in my sig, I feel joy. Also, I just don't want to be in photo mode all the time.

How about you?

Do I need camera with me all the time? Really need? NO

Do I usually carry one and often find myself missing it if not? YES

Which camera to get in mood?
Honestly,and I know I'll sound like a snob, but there's nothing like my M6 for this, as soon as I pick it up and look through a viewfinder, I have that "itch" for taking photos.

Any other? PEN is pretty good choice, too, fun, small, built like a GFs aunt, almost indestructible 🙂 also, Leica D-Lux 4 or Panny counterpart.

 

[igi]

Also, lately, I just don't feel the need to have a camera with me at all times. I don't want to be "looking" for photos all the time ... sometimes I just want to float down the sidewalk daydreaming looking at pretty ladies, etc. 😱

I feel this too... even when I have a camera hanging by my neck.🙂

It's not really a need for me... In the words of an eight year old camera freak...

"I just like taking pictures"

 

[rbsinto]

No.
Sometimes it just isn't practical.
I play hockey three nights a week and find it very difficult to use a camera while I'm playing goal.
Similarly while I'm in the shower or enjoying a romantic interlude, as it were.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I no longer feel the need to have a camera with me although I do frequently have a 35mm RF in my car. I do a lot of observing just not photographing. I just am not one to photograph anything and everything as I usually work on a longer term series.

I think my attitude comes from years of generating photos where I look at the neg and think "nice but not great, now what the hell do I do with it?"

 

[jsrockit]

I think my attitude comes from years of generating photos where I look at the neg and think "nice but not great, now what the hell do I do with it?"

See, this is my point. I feel that I'm going to get a S95 and photograph a bunch of mediocre stuff that I will never use. I already do that enough with my other cameras. 😀 However, that one time you get something, it'll be worth it.

 

[jsrockit]

Which camera to get in mood?
Honestly,and I know I'll sound like a snob, but there's nothing like my M6 for this, as soon as I pick it up and look through a viewfinder, I have that "itch" for taking photos.

Exactly how I feel about the M series. No other camera does this to me. Weird.

 

[nikon_sam]

Do I feel the need to have a camera with me all the time...Yes...
Have you ever seen Linus without his blanket...???

 

[Instantclassic]

Yes, I am in the habit of carrying a camera.
Wherever I lay my camera. That's my home.

 

[shadowfox]

Yes.

There are occasions when I simply don't want to take a picture, but that's rare.

As to the "what do I do with the pictures?" question, sharing online and looking back in a few years are almost always enjoyable. Much more so than no pictures at all.

 

[thegman]

Not 100% of the time, but maybe 90% of the time now I have my little Lomo LC-A+. It's not the cheapest camera, but cheap enough that I don't worry about it too much. It's film, scale focus, and quick to use, easy to have with me most of the time.

 

[Ti29er]

Panasonix LX5 when I leave the house.

We're never off duty really.

Re-visiting old cameras / formats / styles / fixed lenses - it's all good and keeps things fresh & keeps you engaged with "seeing things", which is all photography is anyhow.