Finding Time to Photograph

[photophorous]

How do you find time for photography?

Let me elaborate. I'm just curious mostly, but I'm trying to get an idea of what peoples routines and methods of photography are. When do you go take pictures? Do you get up early before work or leave work early to get evening shots? Do you plan road trips on the weekends? Do your friends and/or families go with you? Do you just take the camera everywhere without planning any shoots?

I'm always looking for new ways to squeeze photography into my daily routine, because I feel like my time is so limited, especially in the winter. But, when I carry my camera everywhere with me, I feel like it annoys other people who have to wait on me and then I feel rushed. There's not enough daylight during my work week, but then the weekends are full of "quality time" with friends and family. What to do?

I thought this could be an interesting discussion...to see how all of you deal with daily conflicts and still have time for photography. All comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Paul

[mmedlyn]

Good question...

I had to get really creative last month because I was trying to post a picture a day for November. (It didn't work exactly but here are some things that helped me get as far as I did.)

I took pictures during my lunch break at work. I took some of my best picture then because the light was good.

I took pictures of the family at home. This was especially easy to do on the weekend when we were mostly hanging around anyway (again good light too).

I took pictures at the family events and activities. Also a good time!

I took my camera with me as much as possible.

What I learned is that I really have to work at taking pictures. It's something I really enjoy doing but I also really need the practice. I tried to use my free time to take pictures as much as I could.

One other thing... Ben Lifson makes a great arguement for everything being subject in this link. One of the most important things to remember is that you don't need a big occasion to take pictures. Look for things in your everyday life that interest you and take pictures of them.

[Lionheart]

How do you find time for photography?


Thanks,
Paul

I don't really these days. If I happen to have my camera with me and I see something that I can create something with, I snap away. I used to be more disciplined about photography, but between kids, work, and my pinched nerve in my back...

[AntLockyer]

No family or friends, sleep little don't spend hours on internet forums

[Chunk]

It's you who sets your own priorities. What you are doing is what you most want to do. When photography is what you want to do most, you'll be doing photography. All of life boils down to this.

[srobb]

I think it may also depend on how serious you are about photography and what you want to do with it. I finally made the decision to take my camera with me at all times. That was simply because of too many missed opportunities when I didn't have it. If you are, or plan to be, a full time photographer of some kind, then that is something that you can't help. But you can always find something to take a pic of anywhere you are at.

[mtbbrian]

I am with Chunk on this one.
It's a matter of priorities. You just make the time to go out and photograph.
How can you call yourself a "photographer" if you aren't out photographing?
It's also a matter of lifestyle choices, if you really are a photographer it's just something you do.
Just my two...
Brian

[photophorous]

Melissa,

Thanks for responding, and for the link. I found it to be inspiring. I just took a picture of my garage from the street that I noticed bringing the trash can back in. What a dork. I think I'll try going out at lunch one day. Taking pictures of every day life is what I really want to learn to do, but it's the hardest thing I've tried so far.

Paul

Good question...

I had to get really creative last month because I was trying to post a picture a day for November. (It didn't work exactly but here are some things that helped me get as far as I did.)

I took pictures during my lunch break at work. I took some of my best picture then because the light was good.

I took pictures of the family at home. This was especially easy to do on the weekend when we were mostly hanging around anyway (again good light too).

I took pictures at the family events and activities. Also a good time!

I took my camera with me as much as possible.

What I learned is that I really have to work at taking pictures. It's something I really enjoy doing but I also really need the practice. I tried to use my free time to take pictures as much as I could.

One other thing... Ben Lifson makes a great arguement for everything being subject in this link. One of the most important things to remember is that you don't need a big occasion to take pictures. Look for things in your everyday life that interest you and take pictures of them.

[coachgns]

I found a good solution to finding time to photograph.
It's called Retirement! :-)

One of the first things I did was a Photoshop course. Still need more.
Next I'll take some photography courses.
And Practice Practice Practice

[masdog]

Retirement would be nice...too bad I still have 40-50 years worth of gainful emploment left before I can do that.

When I'm not shooting for my internship or my fraternity, I'm looking for ideas of things that I can shoot my own time. Its not that easy when you have to do it around class and homework as well. Hopefully, I can come up with something interesting for this winter.

[walterick]

I strap my backup on carry a tripod and walk/drive out into nature and always find something to shoot. Large or small, scenic or macro nature never fails to provide beauty.

I love shooting kids and people too but don't often make the time for it. Dealing with schedules is harder than taking a walk ;)

[mmedlyn]

Paul, Glad you liked the link but you can't tease me like that... lets see the picture

Melissa,

Thanks for responding, and for the link. I found it to be inspiring. I just took a picture of my garage from the street that I noticed bringing the trash can back in. What a dork. I think I'll try going out at lunch one day. Taking pictures of every day life is what I really want to learn to do, but it's the hardest thing I've tried so far.

Paul

[tink]

Time?? What's that? I dont have time for anything these days. I just pick the camera up when I feel like using it (much to my daughter's disgust I'm sure lol) but if we do planned w/e's out, I take it with me. If we are going to anything special, i take it then too. But otherwise, it's used for work or just sits there!

[photophorous]

Melissa,

I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait a while to see it. I'm shooting film and I don't have a scanner. I hope to get one for Christmas. I have some catching up to do.

Paul

Paul, Glad you liked the link but you can't tease me like that... lets see the picture

[mmedlyn]

Paul, I understand... I'm so used to digital now that I expect instant gratification... I'll look forward to seeing it later. (It'll be good practice for me.) Hope you get the scanner!

Melissa,

I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait a while to see it. I'm shooting film and I don't have a scanner. I hope to get one for Christmas. I have some catching up to do.

Paul

[photophorous]

Thanks to everyone for commenting! It seems we all have conflicts to deal with. I guess the important thing is to keep shooting. I plan to start, as of yesterday, forcing myself to take at least one picture every day. Hopefully, I'll discover new subject matter this way.

Rick mentioned walking around. I just wanted to say that I've learned how necessary that is. I've often driven around looking for the perfect spot to stop, only to loose the good sunlight. Light is more important. Sometimes you just have to get out of the car and use what's in front of you, instead of searching for the perfect spot.

One of my friends who liked a candid shot I did of him, asked me to take some portraits for him to give to people. This will be my first real attempt at portraits. I'm not getting paid of course, but I'm looking forward to the learning experience. I'll have to read up a little.

Anyway...Thanks again, everyone.

Paul

[mtbbrian]

Something else you might try, making or taking notes of places you want to photograph while you are out and about with your normal things.
You could also note the time of day the light seems "right" at that location too.
Just a thougght, that might help.
Good Luck!
Brian

[tink]

Paull, can i ask, what kind of neg scanner are you getting? I'm thinking of purchasing one as well and I'd love to know what's good, great or even better out there

Thanks
Wendy

I'm shooting film and I don't have a scanner. I hope to get one for Christmas. I have some catching up to do.

Paul

[photophorous]

Hi Wendy,

I've been spending a lot of time in the darkroom, so I want a flatbed scanner to scan my prints. It will do negatives too, but not high quality. The one I'm looking at is the Canoscan 8400F. Here's a link: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1712308,00.asp

I'm sure others on this site could offer better advice on negative scanners, but I think I've heard good things about Nikon's Coolscan V. Good, but affordable...so it goes.

Good luck.

Paul

Paull, can i ask, what kind of neg scanner are you getting? I'm thinking of purchasing one as well and I'd love to know what's good, great or even better out there

Thanks
Wendy