How often do you shoot?

[hipsterdufus]

So, I've been lurking on this forum for quite awhile. I've gotten some great information from a lot of the members here and I really enjoy reading such a civil forum.

One thing that I've noticed in my lurking is that a lot of the members on the board seem to shoot on a daily basis. I don't know if this is just my perception, or if they are actually in the minority.

Personally, I am lucky if I get to go out shooting once every two weeks. A lot of it may have to do with the type of photography that I do; I like to do planned, conceptual portrait photography. I am a terrible nature/landscape/street photographer, so I like to play to my strengths. Doing a planned portrait concept takes a lot of work; you have to set up time with a model, get the makeup just right, and also get whatever props the shoot may use. On top of that, since I don't have access to a studio, I have to scout out a location.

Between the type of photography that I do and my love for film (digital made me terribly disinterested in photography for far too long of a time), I also find shooting very expensive.

Additionally, I don't feel that I have the time to go out and make pictures every day. I work a full time job (as does my wife). We equally share (though she might disagree 😎) in cooking/cleaning/etc. By the time we are done with our daily chores, I'm too burnt out on the weekdays to go out and try to make art.

Given this information about myself, I wonder about the type of people who shoot on a daily basis. What type of photography are you shooting? Why do you feel compelled to go out and make pictures each day? How can you afford it, if shooting film? What type of subjects inspire you to go out? Finally, how do you have the time?

I hope this isn't too long and drawn out; it's just something that I've been thinking about as I've been reading the forums. Looking forward to your responses. 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

I certainly don't shoot every day of the year, though equally, I may shoot for days or even weeks in a row, or I may not shoot for a week or more.

Then again, photography is a major part of my job...

Cheers,

R.

 

[hipsterdufus]

I should clarify that photography is only a hobby for me, not my job.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I carry a camera with me every day, and photograph whatever catches my eye. It's easy enough for me to do - I have a half-hour stroll each way from London Bridge station to my workplace in Brick Lane, and the odd lunch break free to wander, so finding time or subjects isn't that much of a problem.

Some days I'll burn through whatever film I'm carrying, others I won't take even a single shot. It's not something about which to worry.

 

[xxloverxx]

I take my camera with me everywhere, so I can shoot whenever I see something interesting (I mostly do street or candids; very rarely will I ask someone to “notice” me).

I shoot about 2-3 rolls a month (36 exp rolls), so it's sustainably affordable. Sometimes I shoot more, sometimes less. If it's a “bad month”, I might shoot 1 roll or less.

I do set aside at least 2 hours a week to get out and do nothing but shoot, and that's usually on a Friday afternoon, due to the nature of my schedule. Usually, after lunch, I go out at about 3 and get back at 5 or 6 —*my timing really depends on the light (HK has so many tall buildings, most places are in shadow or too dim to get good DOF).
It's supposed to rain this Friday, and if the light isn't good enough, I might not go out. I might, however, take my SLR out and do some landscapes.
I find myself rather envious of people who have schedules that allow them to seemingly be out all day and still have a regular job.
I also envy those who live in an area where light is kind…and there aren't too many buildings blocking the sky out (2 hours train ride away, Guangzhou is much brighter than HK ever is, due to things being more spread out)

I feel “compelled” to go and make photos every day for the memories. A record of life.
I do keep a “word” journal, where I occasionally record thoughts and the rest, but my photos are a record of my experiences and things that I've seen (occasionally, I get a photo that's worthy of uploading).

What kind of subjects…
I guess shapes, juxtaposition, expression, action and movement (especially on children) and light (without which photography wouldn't happen…)

I don't think it's too long — I sometimes wonder how people can afford to shoot multiple rolls a day on vacation or even when at home!
I guess 1 way would be to buy cheaper film…but I have not found a film to replace Tri-X or Ektar, which are my 2 main films now. Both around the same price…~twice the cost of Superia, but much higher in quality IMO.

Also, I don't randomly shoot, even when doing street photography…I try to shoot like HCB and predict The Decisive Moment. If you watch some of his videos, sure, he shot a lot, but he didn't make multiple shots of something (if the Moment is gone, it's gone) and in a video that I once saw, which filmed him actually walking around shooting, he looks before he shoots.
I've been trying to imitate that style for a few months, and it actually is very hard…the mental energy it takes to predict when something will happen in a busy city…I guess France was less crowded back then. It probably still is less crowded than HK.

One area that I have succeeded in imitating him is shooting without worry — I think it was he who said that he didn't think about how many photos he was making a day; some days he made less and some days he made more — if he saw it, he shot it; if he didn't, he didn't.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I should clarify that photography is only a hobby for me, not my job.

I think you made that clear initially.

My point, really, is that very few professionals actually do shoot every day. They are organizing shoots, processing, dealing with clients...

Only a certain kind of amateur can shoot every day, and as you point out, there are many kinds of photography where it is not feasible.

Probably, I shot on more days across the year when I was a student/ hobbyist and before I started earning money with my camera(s). Much like ruby.monkey.

Cheers,

R.

 

[funkpilz]

I always have a camera with me, but I'm a hobbyist and not very good at street photography, so I really only shoot portraiture. This means that my rates of shooting vary depending on how often I hang out with my friends.

 

[robklurfield]

This is a hobby and a passion for me. I try to shoot daily. Practice might make me better someday; in the meantime, the process itself is fulfilling and almost therapeutic. It takes me away from the stress and drudgery of my day job. Even shooting one image a day is better than none for me.

 

[Mcary]

Maybe a few times a month depending on the weather and access to suitable locations.
As far as the amount of film used probable about 15 rolls of 120 a month.

 

[paulfish4570]

It is a passionate hobby for since I returned over the past year. I shoot at least one frame a day, not because I have to, but because I cannot not shoot ... 🙂

 

[hipsterdufus]

I always have a camera with me, but I'm a hobbyist and not very good at street photography, so I really only shoot portraiture. This means that my rates of shooting vary depending on how often I hang out with my friends.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of portraits do you shoot? Are they mostly candid/slice of life? Do you have a link to any pictures you've shot? I'm always curious about fellow portrait photographers and I'm looking for inspiration on how to shoot my friends in candid situations.

 

[degruyl]

Since I moved to larger format (medium and large) I have been more lax in carrying a camera with me. Added to that is the fact that there really is nothing particularly interesting for me to photograph on the way to work, and only occasionally on the way home.

All that being said: lately I take pictures a couple of times a week, usually in bursts. (Lately I have been going through 50 sheets of 4x5 and 10-20 sheets of 8x10 per month, before this winter, it was about 30 rolls of 120).

When I have a backlog of developing or printing, it cuts into my shooting.

 

[jsrockit]

Almost every day.

 

[bwidjaja]

hipsterdufus, I am glad you posed this question. I, for example, works in an office and does not have the luxury of walking or taking public transportation to work. Stopping somewhere along the road to take picture is not exactly something I have done many times for 2 reasons:
1. safety
2. no time

So, thus far my shootings have been limited to weekends when time allows. Also, I think I am a low-volume shooter. On a good weekend when I do intend to shoot, I might go through 2-3 rolls of 120 film. So cost has not been too prohibitive for me.

 

[Matus]

in 4 years:
- 4x5 - about 230 sheets
- 120 - 90 films
- 35mm - 20 films

that is about 1.4 shots per day. So I actually shoot daily 😉

 

[batterytypehah!]

This seems terribly obvious but since nobody has mentioned it so far, maybe it isn't: Would you like to explore other subjects, other than planned portraits? Then load up some cheap film, get out any time you can, and shoot a lot. You'll never improve without practice.

There has to be something on your way to and from work, during a break, etc., that is worth a practice shot at least. More likely, there will be many subjects, and as you explore them, it will become more than practice and give you results that please you, whether they're gallery stuff or not.

Here's a tip: Watch Smoke (1995 movie) if you haven't seen it. I will not reveal how it relates to your situation but it does...

 

[batterytypehah!]

This is a lunch break shot, not even half a block from work:

 

[hipsterdufus]

Would you like to explore other subjects, other than planned portraits?

That's a good question and one that I've been wondering myself. I love taking pictures, but I'm wary of the Stewie Griffin type of photography:

"Every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she's a photographer. Oooooooh, you took a black-and-white picture of a lawn chair and its shadow and developed it at Save-On. You must be so brooding and deep."

Not that I'm a hot girl (or a girl at all), but I have a whole album full of negatives from my college days (I've been shooting for about 10 years) that has that type of stuff on it. I don't really need to create any more. I guess that's why I'm wondering the type of stuff that daily photographers shoot.

If anything, I would be most interested in learning how to take really interesting candid pictures of my friends. If I had to pick a "daily" (not that I see them every day) type of photography, that would be it.

I have a suburban commute, which means taking a car (similar to bwidjaja); that means I don't get any of the great street opportunities that a lot of big city photographers get.

Here's a tip: Watch Smoke (1995 movie) if you haven't seen it. I will not reveal how it relates to your situation but it does...

Hmmm, sounds interesting (read the IMDB). My wife loves independent films, so it won't take much to convince her to watch it with me. 😀

 

[furcafe]

I average about 3 or 4 rolls of 35mm a week & shoot almost every day. While I try to shoot as much as possible, I'll occasionally miss a day or 2 due to illness, work, etc. Weekdays are slower because of the day job, but I make up for that by shooting more @ night & on weekends.

How do I afford it & find the time? I'm fortunate to have a job w/regular hours that pays well & I keep my non-photo expenses pretty low (single without dependents, no car, small apartment). A matter of priorities, I guess. Photography is my only real hobby & I can easily combine it w/other leisure pursuits (food, music, travel) because I basically take a documentary/photojournalistic approach to my life. As a sideline, I also shoot events & shows for local publications, web sites, blogs, etc. Those assignments, plus the occasional project, can easily add the equivalent of 4 or 5 rolls of 35mm to the week's take, but I'll usually save time by shooting digital.

 

[batterytypehah!]

I love taking pictures, but I'm wary of the Stewie Griffin type of photography:

"Every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she's a photographer. Oooooooh, you took a black-and-white picture of a lawn chair and its shadow and developed it at Save-On. You must be so brooding and deep."

I love that quote (it's somebody's signature on here, dcsang if memory serves) but heavens, don't let your life choices be determined by a cartoon TV show! I mean, there is nothing that hasn't already been lampooned on Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park... Does that mean the only legitimate cool activity is writing and drawing cartoons?

Like with any other art form that has been around for a while, it is very, very hard to do something fresh and original in photography. That's an impossibly high standard for nearly all of us. Me, I don't need to be innovative to have fun.

Example: I spent a week driving around Utah and Arizona last summer and had a blast taking landscape pictures that have been taken zillions of times before. I don't care how many others have photographed Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon with a 28mm lens before -- those shots are mine, (C) 2009 by me, myself and I. And I find this applies to more mundane subjects, as well. Just this last roll I did, I went around with an SLR for a change to explore close-ups. So I have a b&w shot of a utility pole, cracks, numbers, years worth of staples. Boy has that ever been done before, and better, too -- so what? This is the pole that I walk by every day.

P.S. To finally answer the title question: I try to shoot every day, and a roll per week is a comfortable and affordable average.