Cloud

Snapshots

Posted on June 27, 2008

With 4 kids and 3 shooters running around our home/studio daily, you might think we have hundreds of thousands of pictures, documenting the daily lives of all of us. You might be tempted to think that every time we go out, to the store, the mall, a museum, we return with CF cards full of fun, flashy, and unique snapshots.

I wish.

Contrary to reason, we have almost no snapshots of our day-to-day life. Why not?

Well, for starters, we’re spoiled.

I shoot with an 11-MP camera, and my favorite lens is a 28-300mm L-series. Of course, The lens and body together weigh in at about 10 pounds. When people see my camera, the immediate reaction is “Woah”. When I hand it to them, it changes to “Wugh”. I love my camera – but it’s too cumbersome and too downright heavy to tote with me everywhere I go. I’ve heard from people who carry a body and 5 lenses with them everywhere – usually in a photo backpack. They either have a really low activity level, or they’re nuts. My photo backpack, loaded, is the size of a full hiking pack and weighs about the same (30 to 40 lbs isn’t uncommon). I can’t imagine schlepping it to work, home, to the store, etc. I often carry it on trails and such, when I’m working, but for fun? Not so much. (Actually, Roz does have a smaller backpack, but she still doesn’t carry it everywhere she goes.)

So why don’t we buy a smaller/lighter/cheaper/more convenient camera for day-to-day use?

Like I said, we’re spoiled.

I’m used to a camera that has full-manual controls if I want them, push-button overrides for the automatics at my fingertips, and nearly-instantaneous response when I press the shutter. I have a kickin’ zoom lens. When I pick up a camera, I expect these things. I get annoyed or frustrated if they’re not there. I just wish I could find a Point-n-Shoot that has these things. Oh, and while I’m dreaming, can I get it to cook me breakfast in bed?

The second reason is less concrete, but just as big a barrier. When I pick up a camera, I’m working. When I press my eye to a viewfinder something subtle changes, and the world has to be just so. I’m a perfectionist about my pictures. Taking a camera with me means I’m not taking a break, not having fun with my family. I’m working.

For just this reason, we’re shaking up how we shoot, how we think about photography. We’re getting back into photography as a hobby, buying some new equipment, and revisiting some earlier ideas – with the experience we’ve gained. Don’t look for a revolution; we’re still perfectionists. Look for a shift – lighter cameras, lighter images, more spontaneity, and more fun.

Jason

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