What is the effect of photo-abstinence on you?

[Matus]

Sounds maybe like a crazy question, but I am really wondering how are others affected when the circumstances simply do not allow to enjoy your favorite hobby - the photography?

For me - apart from the urge to take a day off and go out shooting - I start to feel like I need to change my most used camera to mitigate its weak point (every camera has them of course) or I start to "seriously consider" getting another camera that maybe would allow me to shoot at situations my "main" camera does not. Really weird - and hard to fight. For example - right now me and my wife are changing work and moving to a different city - so there is pretty much no time left for photography.

My main camera is Mamiya 6 and I nearly feel I would be able to swap it for Contax 645 or I could at least get maybe a 35mm manual focus slr (cheap these days after all). I know I like the Mamiiya of course (save for the metering - that sucks) and although I have it just about 8 months I really got some nice photos with it (did not even manage to print anything large yet 😱). And I have at least 15 rolls of 120 slides waiting to get scanned and I did not get my hands on my 4x5" for a long time too and ... whatever.

So - how do you feel and handle photo-abstinence?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I ride a bicycle.

Phil Forrest

 

[Darshan]

I start getting the shakes and tremors, I sweat and become fidgety, and when I complain of nausea people let me have my free time to go make photos to prevent me from throwing up...😀

 

[Darshan]

In fact, I am going out this evening to make some more of those "squares". 😉

 

[back alley]

i come here...

 

[keytarjunkie]

I play piano. Multiple forms of artistic expression for the win.

 

[Keith]

A thread titled ... "IIIf rewind shaft lubricant?" suddenly looks more interesting! 😛

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

there is no photo-abstinence for me. 🙂

 

[TXForester]

i come here...

Me too. I also visit other photography sites.

What's worse than not going out to take photos is passing up a chance for a shot when you have a camera with you. This morning on the way to work, I saw a plane low over the highway. Didn't take but a second to recognize the silhouette. A crop duster working the field beside the road, and I didn't have time to stop and shoot it. :bang: I hate driving by opportunities to avoid being late to a prior engagement. 😡 😀

 

[Pablito]

It's not a choice

 

[charjohncarter]

Just like coffee, I make sure I a camera hanging around. Last week I had to spend the day (not for me) at UCSF Medical Center. I took a camera, and waiting didn't seems to exist. Now, without real light, I have to read.

 

[Pfreddee]

I break out in hives and begin to hallucinate. Also, my voices become more strident and importunate...

Actually, although I know my voices are imaginary, sometimes they have some pretty good ideas.

Like, fie on everything, go out and take some pictures.

Moderation in everything, including moderation.

With best regards,

Stephen

 

[Keith]

Moderation in everything, including moderation.

Oh yes ... I like that! 😀

 

[efirmage]

An increase in reading if it's just the conditions that are bad. If it's time to shoot I usually spend more time on flickr, learning about photographers, or doing something completely different.

I too find myself lusting after other cameras with different strengths, and then when I get back out into the field I remember why I love my camera, and how it does at least 80% of what I want to do photographically.

 

[paulfish4570]

no abstinence for me, either. i shoot even when i am in the hospital for surgery, and during recovery ... 🙂

 

[gavinlg]

My social skills improve... haha

 

[cosmonaut]

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; blood in the stool; chest pain or discomfort; confusion; decreased concentration; decreased coordination; decreased urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; memory problems; new or worsening aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, hostility, impulsiveness, inability to sit still, irritability, panic attacks, or restlessness; persistent or severe ringing in the ears; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent anxiety, nervousness, or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, stomach pain, or weakness; shortness of breath; significant weight loss; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; trouble concentrating; unsteadiness or loss of coordination; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; unusual weakness; vision problems; worsening of depression

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I have such a huge backlog of film to scan that on days when I cannot shoot, I scan film and edit photos or work on my website.

 

[jsrockit]

So - how do you feel and handle photo-abstinence?

I don;t see the need to abstain unless I want to. I can photograph on the way to work, during lunch break, etc if I need to even. If you are moving, I would imagine there are photos someowhere within that move. Perhaps you just need to be open to what is photographable.

 

[jky]

...I feel like a caged animal - "gotta get out & take pics" is all I can think of.

It's funny because when I'm not out taking photos, that's when I feel like I'll make decent images. Then when I finally get out.... well, whatever.

I have taken a hiatus from the hobby - a voluntary photo abstinence - which I've found helpful in again lighting the fire & in getting those creative juices flowing.