You carry the camera, do you stop anywhere while driving?

[teinee]

I stop my car. Course I live in a rural area and I do some of my driving home from work thru a wildlife refuge just so that I can stop and snap. True there isn't always a great place to stop, but I can usually get most of the way off the road and get a fairly decent picture. And, yup, I've done a u-turn a time or two. I have also just leaned and shot thru my rolled down window, and more than once, on the highways, I have held up my camera, on auto, and snapped the pic in the hopes I would get something as I kept on rolling. that's always fun and exciting. I haven't had my camera with me the last few days because it has been so cold outside and I haven't wanted to carry it into work with me, but I learned my lesson well just this morning. I had a very large bird fly right in front of my car, trailing something it had in its talon. Would have doubled back in a heartbeat, if I'd only had my camera. Stopped and bought a large/sling camera bag on my way home from work, no more excuses.

[ike]

I walk everywhere or get the bus, so if i have my camera on me, (which is happening more and more) i will always try and get the shot, unless it is dangerous for me to do so, (i was setting up last weeks assignment shot and nearly got run over by some fool doing 40 down a quiet lane)

Living in a rural(ish) area also helps as i can go for lots of walks, but never too far from a town/city if i feel the urge for a city shoot,

I have 2 bags i use for my camera depending on what i am doing,

I use an old school shoulder bag for carrying all my gear in it, (tripod, torches, camera, spare batteries, high vis vest (country lanes are dangerous), drinks, notepad etc,)

If im just going to work, i carry just my camera in the 'fuji' bag i got with the camera, slips nicely under my jacket so it is discrete, and has space for 1 set of spare batteries,

So, in short, stop if it is safe to do so, a good photo is not worth a good life,

ike,

[FrankenPengie]

I've got a shot where I stopped in the middle of a bridge, opened the door, stuck out the camera and shot a pic. I've been doing some regular driving in East Texas but sadly that's likely to end. I don't take mine everywhere but that's just my own un-prepaired nature.

[smc1377]

Not only do I stop, sometimes I make allowance for photography time in my trips (both long and short).

[PnwGuy]

I do service calls for a living so I drive to many different places, city and rural. I always have my gear with me. I also keep a list in my car so in case I see a shot and either don't have time or cannot find a quick easy and SAFE spot to park, I simply note it and return on a weekend, or allow extra time the next time I'll be in the area.

I think we all have a responsibility to shoot responsibly so as to not screw things up for other photographers. Just use common sense. Respect private property, don't endanger yourself or others by stopping or parking on the road. Find a safe spot to park and walk back if you have to. Walking is good for you. Ask permission before going onto someone's property and offer to give them copies. You'll get some No's, but you'll get Yes's as well.

That's just my approach.

[TaylorSiluwe]

I stop all the time. I rarely get out of the car though. It's winter and I prefer to stay in the warm confines on the car. Sometimes I do get out and trespass, but I make sure I'm fast and out of there as quickly as possible.

Sometimes I feel vaquely criminal, as if I'm 'stealing' something. I think it adds to my thrill.

[PnwGuy]

Originally Posted by TaylorSiluwe

I stop all the time. I rarely get out of the car though. It's winter and I prefer to stay in the warm confines on the car. Sometimes I do get out and trespass, but I make sure I'm fast and out of there as quickly as possible.

Sometimes I feel vaquely criminal, as if I'm 'stealing' something. I think it adds to my thrill.

nevermind....

I had a few comments, but just nevermind.

[step]

I'm actually quite new at this. Bought my first real camera last month and I am trying to train myself to slow down and be willing to stop when I see something interesting. It's a good exercise for me although I've missed a couple of really good stormy sky shots already. I live and travel mostly in rural areas so I keep my camera with me at all times.

[TaylorSiluwe]

Originally Posted by PnwGuy

nevermind....

I had a few comments, but just nevermind.

Please do comment; I'm intrigued now ....

[PnwGuy]

Originally Posted by TaylorSiluwe

Please do comment; I'm intrigued now ....

LOL...nah, it's best to just drop it. I'm here to have fun and to do my part to enjoy photography and to do what I can to help others enjoy it and to set an example as a good photographer. A good photographer doesn't necessarily mean being able to take great shots. It's the other things like respect, good judgement, caring about how your are percieved as a photographer, and not doing things to ruin it for others or anything to give photographers a black mark.

When I was younger I often wondered why older people just didn't say anything at times. I now understand and I'm slowly coming to terms with it. Obviously I'm not quite there yet but I'm close.

Welcome to the forums and happy shooting.