So Frustrated!!!

[Ishyid]

Okay, to be honest I don't remember the last time I was able to go out shooting. I am so frustrated cause I have no time to due to firefighting academy, EMT class, and shift work. IT SUCKS!!! I am going to push to make time to go out and take some pics. But I am worried that the knowledge I ounce knew about 5 months ago is not there anymore lol. Just thought I would let you all know my dilema.

[BEGM83]

Hows about getting creative in your home environment? Get the ole grey matter working

[gturner]

Shoot up the firestation -everyone loves fireman and Emergency shots

[candidrachel]

I know how you feel!! I've completely lost my mojo with it all that the moment and if anyone finds it can you send it back first class post pls? It doesn't help when I post on SYS and get no replies Not that that is anyway a popularity contest. At the end of the day I like my photos and that's all that matters to me.

On the subject of firemen they are HOT in their uniform! There is a firestation down the road from me and I'm like

[Raoul Isidro]

It happens to all of us.
There are days I would take only 2 images. Nothing inspiring.
I would take a picture of a blue sky... maybe just to check for dust bunnies...
But sometimes, you just never know when something will come up...
Like here...

[IMG][/IMG]
Boeing 737 at 32,000 feet

[PhotoPatzer]

Looks like some people already beat me to the jokes about firemen!

So I will try to give you a couple tips that i've practiced so that I can take photos more often.

1. Try to bring your camera EVERYWHERE! - Now I know this can be difficult, and I'm not sure where you live, but usually you can bring it and leave it in the car (unless its hot or cold etc..) if you have a locker that is lockable at the firehouse etc.. put it in there. Point is, you can't shoot if you don't have a camera. If you have it on you, you are more likely to stop and take a snap.

2. Build a light box - This one really heped me to take more pictures. You can find a link for a cheap light box at strobist.com. You can set this up on the coffee table and start grabing interesting things around the house to use.

3. Schedule time - Like every discipline, photography takes time. From your post, you are a very busy person. I know what that is like. I very rarely have a second to just go shoot. I try to set up a time that is "reserved" for photography. I choose to use Saturday mornings at 6:30-8:00. I go out to the places where I think there may be an interesting shot, and I just start clicking away. This has by far helped me the most. If you don't have time... make time!

4. When the sun goes down... The camera comes out! - Spend too much of your day working and taking care of your responsibilities? Grab your camera and go out after dark! Today's cameras are extremely resilliant when it comes to shooting at night. Digital Cameras can do amazing things after dark. You would be suprised at how much you can photograph and what you can find. Especially in urban settings.


I hope these help... I really know where you are coming from, but these have helped me.

Does anyone have some other ideas to add?

[kathiemt]

Can you carry your camera around with you? As I'm a female I found a bag in the US that looks like a handbag but it is padded and my camera is with me constantly, even when I go to the shops or post office or anywhere else. I know of men who carry backpacks with them constantly with their gear in it.

I also roam outside around home in the early hours of the morning and in the evening before it's dark. You could go for walks in your street. There must be some time when you can just grab 5 or 10 mins for a wander with your camera.

[Rolling Stone]

Instead of getting online and posting your dilemma, you could've been out taking some shots.

[CeeJay]

I try to carry a camera with me at all times, but then take too long to get the cover off or lens cap off, and the moment is sometimes lost, hey ho!! Nice to meet you all, this is my very first posting since joining, been too scared to join in, but we all have to start somewhere..

[RichardTaylor]

@ Ishyid

Have a look at this fire fighters Flickr stream and see what can be done.

Flickr: Firefighter with a camera's Photostream

and on the job pics.

Fire Related - a set on Flickr