Don't you wish sometimes you had mini cameras in your eyes?

[SwissJon]

I was just thinking today, sometimes if only I could tap into my eyes and somehow record (selectively) what I was looking at, it would be so nice. in my life I've seen some sights that I have left me breathless and I would love to share with other people but I couldn't, either because I didn't have a camera with me, or because a camera wouldn't have been appropriate, or the moment was so fleeting, it was gone by the time I got my camera out, or because I just don't feel like I have the skill to do it justice.

Today I saw the sun shining through the clouds and slight rain, making rays and lighting up the castle on the hill and the forest. It was lovely, but I didn't have my camera with me because I was out with the family. I've taken to pointing these things out to my family, but I tend to get unexcited grunts, which surprises me because my wife is an artist. (Although admittedly she makes stage props rather than painting landscapes)

Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving a beautiful smile from a very pretty young lady because i found a dog biscuit in my pocket and gave it to her cute puppy, that left me thinking "Wow, I'd love to take your portrait" but how do you approach people like that, epecially since I'm a landscape photographer and would probably make a hash of it.

So here I am wondering if it's just me that's left disappointed at not being able to record everything I want to so I can share it woth others? What have you seen recently that you would love to have captured but didn't? Are you planning to go back?

[mshockley]

Jon, these are such wonderful thoughts you've written. I have felt that way many times and like you just didn't have my camera along, or felt too weird wanting to take a photo. Photojournalism/street photography type stuff is an example of photography that I would love to become more skilled and comfortable with.

Also, as I was out for a run today with my best running partner in the whole world.....my big golden retriever.....i was thinking how I would love to take his picture, this is a perfect example of the notion of having a camera in my eyes would be great! It takes pretty much all my skill to keep trodding along while he effortlessly flies down the road! It would make such an awesome shot.

[milosh]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I was just thinking today, sometimes if only I could tap into my eyes and somehow record (selectively) what I was looking at, it would be so nice. in my life I've seen some sights that I have left me breathless and I would love to share with other people but I couldn't, either because I didn't have a camera with me, or because a camera wouldn't have been appropriate, or the moment was so fleeting, it was gone by the time I got my camera out, or because I just don't feel like I have the skill to do it justice.

Trying to imagine that I imagine myself carrying a camera all the time and being able to perfectly record everything I see and notice. That's why people carry their cameras all the time and hone their skills to perfection to be able to capture subtle emotions and fleeting moments. Of course, as you said it, not everyone can be perfect in all fields, landscapes and portraits for example. As for me, I didn't pass by any beautiful scenes recently, but the number of those that I plan to visit grows bigger and bigger every week. It's got me thinking when will I actually visit and shoot all of them.

[NgaiHill]

There''s been many a time that I'd wished I had my camera with me, or had it but felt I've not really done justice to what I've seen. I think the up side to this is that my interest in photography has certainly made me more aware of the beauty around me. I prefer landscape photography and so pay particular attention to the view around me. Like you John I alsopoint things out to my family and don't get the enthusiastic response I was hoping for.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

I find myself much more aware of the sights around me since getting serious about photography. And for a while I used to beat myself up for not having a camera to hand when that 'perfect' image presents itself. But lately I have decided that simply noticing, enjoying and remembering the beauty and stunning imagery that is all around us, if we only look, is a gift that I'm thankful for, and don't waste my time on regret any more.

[Indigo November]

Originally Posted by AnonymousKiwi1

I find myself much more aware of the sights around me since getting serious about photography. And for a while I used to beat myself up for not having a camera to hand when that 'perfect' image presents itself. But lately I have decided that simply noticing, enjoying and remembering the beauty and stunning imagery that is all around us, if we only look, is a gift that I'm thankful for, and don't waste my time on regret any more.

My thoughts exactly. I've been feeling recently that I just need to live and enjoy things.
I could spend my whole life regretting things, but that wouldn't be living.

And the more time spent regretting, the more things you miss and therefore have to regret!

[nickbedford]

Originally Posted by Indigo November

My thoughts exactly. I've been feeling recently that I just need to live and enjoy things.
I could spend my whole life regretting things, but that wouldn't be living.

And the more time spent regretting, the more things you miss and therefore have to regret!

Totally agree. At first, you want to spend every waking hour, camera in hand, taking photos of wondrous things, but after a while, you start to realise you're disconnecting yourself in a way from the actual environment if you do it too much. Nowadays I step back a lot of the time when presented with a "photography opportunity" to allow myself to just plain enjoy it (event, party, whatever). It also helps that I've settled into my "genre", even if I want to try other things in photography.

[metallion58]

[QUOTE=SwissJon;1238164]I was just thinking today, sometimes if only I could tap into my eyes and somehow record (selectively) what I was looking at, it would be so nice. in my life I've seen some sights that I have left me breathless and I would love to share with other people but I couldn't, either because I didn't have a camera with me, or because a camera wouldn't have been appropriate, or the moment was so fleeting, it was gone by the time I got my camera out, or because I just don't feel like I have the skill to do it justice./QUOTE]

In fact Jon, you DO have a way to record them.
It's called memory.
Those special images, those that really matters to you, will stay in your mind and help you develop your vision. I've been to your site and it's obvious to me that you do have the skill. It's just that sometime, you have to step back and just look.
I'm an amateur astronomer and recently, while on an outing with my astronomy club, I asked the others when was the last time they've stepped back from the scope and just looked at the sky to see how beautiful it was.
Every single one was amazed at how long it's been. And they did.
The same apply to photography.
You have to take time to see life happens. Your future shots will be that much better.

[Indigo November]

I have something to add to what I said before.

I used to regret not having the camera and/or skills at that perfect moment.
Now more often than not, I find myself regretting pressing the camera to my face as I hurry to record the moment.
Rather than feel as though I have captured the moment, I feel that I have missed it. Missed just observing it and enjoying it.
Missed living it.

[AnonymousKiwi1]

Originally Posted by Indigo November

I have something to add to what I said before.

I used to regret not having the camera and/or skills at that perfect moment.
Now more often than not, I find myself regretting pressing the camera to my face as I hurry to record the moment.
Rather than feel as though I have captured the moment, I feel that I have missed it. Missed just observing it and enjoying it.
Missed living it.

You're dead right. Sometimes of late I've made a conscious decision to leave my camera behind, particularly on family outings. When you're behind the camera, you are not involved. And you do miss a lot. Saturday was my son's first rugby match for the year, and I took along my camera as always. I'm concentrating hard to catch the action, etc. One of the other parents came up to me and commented on how well Jake was playing and I was "Oh, really? I didn't notice..." Bad, bad, bad.