Wearing RF every day.

[:: Mark]

I thInk that it is mainly a street photography thing, where good opportunities are so rare that you do not want to miss any chance. Some of my best street shots were of prostitution, taken on the way back from shopping in a local supermarket with a bag of goods in one hand and a Ricoh GR in the other.

The biggest problem for me at the moment is knowing which camera to take, as I have two ongoing street(ish) projects - one using B&W film and one colour digital :bang:

(There is a lot to be said for standardising on one camera, lens, film and EI, and then carrying and using that everywhere.)

 

[Archiver]

This discussion reminds me of dedicated "concealed carry" guys who scoff at anyone who doesn't pack their pistol on them during all waking hours, out and about or in their home. Carrying a piece of metal all day everywhere takes a level of dedication that most photographers, or CCW gun owners, don't have. I own many small, pocketable cameras, and I don't carry any of them every day... except for my iPhone. Even my Olympus XA is giant compared to an iPhone.

It's funny, but thinking about the past 15 years or so, I can't think of a day when I didn't have at least one camera with me. Taking photos has become so important that it's as habitual as eating.

At home, there's always a camera in reach, and when I'm out, there's at least two, sometimes three. For a couple of years, I carried a film RF with a fast 35 and a digital zoom compact like the Canon G7 or G10. Now it's a Ricoh GR and Panasonic GM1. So maybe I'm the camera equivalent of those CCW guys!

Winter jackets: I've got a fantastic double layered black jacket (stylish water resistant layer on the outside, quilted second jacket on the inside) with pockets large enough to stash a Zeiss Ikon ZM. Another favourite is the Scottevest Outback jacket (now sadly out of production).

When I'm out, I almost always have a bag of some kind, either a shoulder bag or a bum bag slung across my body. Occasionally I'll use a light backpack, like Samsonite, Crumpler or Incase. I don't know how I lived without a bag, before.

I carry every day.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Not always, but quite often I have a camera with me but no extra lenses. The reason therefore is simply that I do not want to be tempted to change lenses, because then all concentration on the subject is gone. So: one camera (M2, M3, M5 or S2), one lens (50mm or 35mm).

Erik.

 

[Vince Lupo]

While still in undergrad at Ryerson in Toronto (in their Still Photography program, as it was called at the time), I had a chance to visit with a working photographer at his Toronto studio. He was a friend of one of my sisters and she thought it might be a good idea for me to meet him and get some insight into the business from a professional photographer. We spoke about the trials and tribulations of being a commercial photographer in Toronto etc etc, and then I asked him: “So what do you do photography-wise in your spare time, for yourself?” His response surprised me: “After working all day, every day in photography, the last thing I want to look at in my personal time is a camera.” At the time I thought: “How can you say that? Betraying your craft?!” I was fully convinced that I would never ever become like that, as I knew my commitment to photography was unshakable.

Yet here we are, about 27+ years after that meeting (and currently 21 years in the business), and sometimes I find myself saying the same thing as he said. I still do take pictures ‘for myself’ and am working on a personal project when time and money allows me the opportunity to work on it. But after working all day, virtually every day in some aspect of photography, sometimes the last thing I want to look at in my personal time is a camera.

 

[Erik van Straten]

after working all day, virtually every day in some aspect of photography, sometimes the last thing I want to look at in my personal time is a camera

That is one of the reasons why I never jumped into professional photography. I have seen what Vince says with other professional photographers too.

Erik.

 

[leicapixie]

We spoke about the trials and tribulations of being a commercial photographer in Toronto etc etc, and then I asked him: “So what do you do photography-wise in your spare time, for yourself?” His response surprised me: “After working all day, every day in photography, the last thing I want to look at in my personal time is a camera.” At the time I thought: “How can you say that? Betraying your craft?!” I was fully convinced that I would never ever become like that, as I knew my commitment to photography was unshakable.

My thoughts and feelings about that answer and one I give to such fellow photographers.
"You are a hack. Only work when the meter is on!"
Photography like any of the arts, requires constant working!
I always carry a camera, mostly a "toy" digital but often a film camera.
The Leica used in worst cold winter days!

 

[robert blu]

I don't wear a camera with me every day. I have very oft a camera with me, when I feel to be "inspired" but not daily.

But every day I see almost one good picture I could have taken if I had a camera with me (and with the right iso film was in it!). Ok, sometimes I snap it with my i.phone (old one!).

On the other side a part from family/friends photos I do not like to take pictures which do not fit in any of my projects...at my age I have already taken so many pictures...

robert

PS: before someone jump into explain it I know that with digital I can in any moment select the correct iso 😀

 

[Vince Lupo]

My thoughts and feelings about that answer and one I give to such fellow photographers.
"You are a hack. Only work when the meter is on!"
Photography like any of the arts, requires constant working!
I always carry a camera, mostly a "toy" digital but often a film camera.
The Leica used in worst cold winter days!

I guess my only response to your response would be: Walk a mile in his shoes. Not sure if you've ever been a commercial photographer, but I think I've walked in his shoes to an extent, so I can now better appreciate his sentiment after all these years.

Sometimes you just need a mental break, not to mention other interests.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I get exactly what Vince is saying and I have seen it too with other photographers I have known over the years. For me the personal work is what keeps me going and has kept me from burning out all these years.

This had been full time for me since graduation in 1986 so 32 years. There is rarely a day that I am not shooting and or processing images. There are some days I have to push myself to get out for me. Some days I can't wait to get out.

The commercial work is in many cases a collaboration with other visual professionals and ultimately the client is making all the final decisions so it is the client's. My personal work is all mine and without that I would have been crisp years ago.

The professional work pays the bills buys the equipment and is the base that makes everything else possible. I do it not only to support the family but also to support the personal work thus I have complete freedom with my personal work. I can't think of anything else that I would rather do for a living. But there are days I just want to get away from it all. That is very human and I understand why some full time pros do not even want to touch a camera after a long and hard week of shooting for others.

 

[steveyork]

Almost always have a camera with me. Don't always use it but always there. Don't wear it though.

 

[Rob-F]

I will only wear a Leica or SLR, or carry a camera bag, when intending to photograph. That usually only happens on vacation or trips. But I often have a small P&S with me. My Fuji X20 fits nicely in a cargo pocket, and is secure there. My Leicasonic D-Lux 6 is smaller; and my old D-lux 4 is so small I can just keep it in my pants pocket even when not wearing cargo pants.

 

[rfaspen]

Interesting comments from folks who make a living with photography.....

I completely! understand. There are a number of reasons I didn't pursue photography as a profession, even though I had good success with my dabbling into it. One reason was how the fun gets sucked out of photography when it becomes a job. There are a few other reasons why I avoided photography. I probably don't have to go into those.

I had this same experience with woodworking. I truly enjoy building pieces (usually furniture) in my shop. But when I started making things on commission, it became a job and the fun was gone. Its a rare occurrence now.

Both photography and woodworking are for me creative outlets.

Now, as for wearing an RF every day. Yep. Drives everyone around me crazy. I've learned not to pull out the camera when certain people (friends) are around. I can just hear the sighs... So the camera (usually a true RF) stays in the briefcase or bag but still nearby for when it simply must come out. I have not regretted having a camera with me either. I have come home with images for my troubles.

 

[airfrogusmc]

Interesting comments from folks who make a living with photography.....

I completely! understand. There are a number of reasons I didn't pursue photography as a profession, even though I had good success with my dabbling into it. One reason was how the fun gets sucked out of photography when it becomes a job. There are a few other reasons why I avoided photography. I probably don't have to go into those.

I had this same experience with woodworking. I truly enjoy building pieces (usually furniture) in my shop. But when I started making things on commission, it became a job and the fun was gone. Its a rare occurrence now.

Both photography and woodworking are for me creative outlets.

Now, as for wearing an RF every day. Yep. Drives everyone around me crazy. I've learned not to pull out the camera when certain people (friends) are around. I can just hear the sighs... So the camera (usually a true RF) stays in the briefcase or bag but still nearby for when it simply must come out. I have not regretted having a camera with me either. I have come home with images for my troubles.

For me the fun never gets sucked out of my personal work. Photography is my job and what i do to pay bills. I love it though sometimes and some clients are better than others but my personal work is fun.

It is my hobby and probably not that different than an account that has photograph as a hobby. It just so happens it is also how I make my living. The two are usually very separate.What I do for me is a much different world than what I create for others.

I am a photographer. It not only is what I do is it is part of who I am. I wouldn't have it any other way. Well maybe I could just make a living on my personal work but then having the freedom to not have to eat from that part still gives me the freedom that helps me keep my sanity.

 

[rfaspen]

For me the fun never gets sucked out of my personal work. Photography is my job and what i do to pay bills. I love it though sometimes and some clients are better than others but my personal work is fun.

It is my hobby and probably not that different than an account that has photograph as a hobby. It just so happens it is also how I make my living. The two are usually very separate.What I do for me is a much different world than what I create for others.

I am a photographer. It not only is what I do is it is part of who I am. I wouldn't have it any other way. Well maybe I could just make a living on my personal work but then having the freedom to not have to eat from that part still gives me the freedom that helps me keep my sanity.

This is how I've felt about my career in science, although recent political events have essentially destroyed that. I remain a scientist as my core identity, and fully understand Photographer as identity; it makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Dan]

That is one of the reasons why I never jumped into professional photography. I have seen what Vince says with other professional photographers too.

Erik.

The trick might be to earn enough of a living as a commercial photographer without having to work everyday.

 

[Emile de Leon]

There are 4 things that usually need to be addressed & balanced..if personal satisfaction is to be enjoyed in life..
1. Work
2. Play
3. Study
4. Service
If these are not all addressed..then the person may feel...something is missing...
How photography fits into one or another of these 4 realities..is both individual..and often changes within the life..

 

[Swift1]

I always have 3 cameras with me... but I have a $25,000 wheelchair to carry them with 😀😀😀

 

[Gerry M]

My camera bag sometimes hitches a ride with Swift1 😉.

 

[skucera]

We spoke about the trials and tribulations of being a commercial photographer in Toronto etc etc, and then I asked him: “So what do you do photography-wise in your spare time, for yourself?” His response surprised me: “After working all day, every day in photography, the last thing I want to look at in my personal time is a camera.” At the time I thought: “How can you say that? Betraying your craft?!” I was fully convinced that I would never ever become like that, as I knew my commitment to photography was unshakable.

My thoughts and feelings about that answer and one I give to such fellow photographers.
"You are a hack. Only work when the meter is on!"
Photography like any of the arts, requires constant working!
I always carry a camera, mostly a "toy" digital but often a film camera.
The Leica used in worst cold winter days!

Actually, your professional photographer's outlook was much the same as mine when I was a professional graphic designer. I made art all day long, and when I walked out of the office, I looked forward to anything other than doing art. Only after changing careers to testing software, and later testing hardware, did I start making my own art again for the fun of it. (Now, after 25 years as a test engineer, I can still astonish coworkers with doodled portraits in meetings, or orthographic and perspective drawings of our handheld computers on whiteboards. Art is much more satisfying as a pastime than as a bread-winning job. 🙂 )

Scott

 

[David Hughes]

It's difficult to believe that people who earn a living from their cameras don't take pictures of their wives, sweethearts (but never together), children, cars, motorbikes, dogs, cats etc.

Perhaps they mean that they don't take so many pictures when they are off duty...

Regards, David