Embarrassed by your camera? I am...

[J. r. Weems]

I have to just laugh at some of the replies on this one. I fail to understand the degrading of a so called P&S. Some of them today can rival many of the so called 'PRO CAMERAS ' of even 10 years ago. I am NEVER, with out mine. Just the thing if there is a accident, or other problem. ANY photo is better than NO photo. Try and not be such a snob. That being said, , When you are old like me, you will be glad you took all the photos of the kids that you did, and will wish you had taken more. You can trust me on this one. We lost a BUNCH of photos, and they are gone and can NEVER be replaced. I will ALMOST always be found with by 'bag', which is a back pack type thing. A LOWPRO MINI TREKER 200, and BOTH my D 80, and the D 700. One in the bag, the other around my neck. I never hear a complaint, anyone who knows me, knows better. You just never know when a photo opportunity will present it's self. I didn't carry my F2A for years around, and am forever sorry. Stupid me, I thought it was too much trouble, or might get damaged. What an idiot I was. Don't you be one.

[mizcaliflower]

I try to never leave home w/o my camera...I carry my big Canon 40 with the stroboframe attached almost all of the time... I have the trusty 20 on a strap and occasionally carry both. (so I don't have to change lenses)
Never be embarrassed by your camera! If it's what you do...Who else can your friends and family depend on to get those great shots!
Yes, all you Mark users...I do consider my 20 D and my 40 D BIG cameras...Not full frame, but I'm not rich! Although I do dream of one day owning one (Mark I,II, or III...)

[ThriceBlessed]

I posted above that I didn't even have an SLR to be embarrassed about, but I do now!

And I don't think I've left the house without it since I charged up the battery... I don't really feel embarrassed, but I do notice people noticing the camera.

[MO Photos]

Originally Posted by LCS

If i was the OP, Id rent a D3s W/ a 70-200 and an SB strobe on top for giggles. then they wouldn't complain as much when he would grab his current gear.

LOL Isn't that the truth!! My hubby used to groan when I'd grab my Sony CyberShot DSC-H50 Point and Shoot right before we'd leave for something. Now that I've got a Nikon D90... the Sony looks like a dwarf in comparison!! Bet he wonders what his big fuss was about back then!

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

This reminds me of a story from when I was a paramedic. I had a partner who didn't like the siren or the air horn. She was embarrassed when I used them. I wasn't really interested in getting in accident - so I used both liberally. Finally, she asked me why I used them. I asked her why they put them on the rig if we weren't supposed to use them?

My cameras are sort of like that. Why do I have them if I'm not going to use them?

I LOOOOVE this example you've given. Hubby is an EMT and loves his lights and sirens and horns... I'll have to remember this one the next time he gives me grief!

(Whats even better is that I can remind him HE bought me the camera!)


And to answer the OP. I think you -are- being slightly ridiculous. You shouldn't let other dictate when, what or how you photograph. You have gone out of your way, somehow I'm sure, to get a good camera in your hands that gives you the amount of creative ability you're looking for, and you should be PROUD of it!

On the other hand, I understand that you need to be aware of how your family feels, and be considerate of them. Sometimes you CAN leave it behind. (Yeah, you're probably going to think on numerous occasions, "Oh!" "Doh!" "Maaaaan!" "C'mon!" wishing you had your camera anyways.) Times when you go without it, DIVE head first into the event or occasion. In other words, don't be a drag and whine about it. Have fun, give them your best "camera naked" attitude. Enjoy it to the fullest. They might even encourage you to bring the camera along next time for being such a good sport.

As far as what onlookers might be thinking... I'm right there with you. I'm a little nervous, especially for this weeks assignment to go where ever ten minutes takes you. What if I end up in front of someone's house? Or worse, in front of a house where there's a group of people sitting on the porch? LOL! While I'm timid, I'm also proud of what I can get if I stick my neck out there once in awhile, and I'm noticing that, more and more often, I'm sticking it out.

Good luck, have FUN!