Remember to leave your camera behind.

[Matthew James Norman]

Hi all,

I don't know how many of you take your cameras wherever you go, either to capture an event or perhaps get that once-in-a-lifetime shot, but I'm certainly one of them. Or at least have been up until now. Weddings, holidays, birthdays... wherever I went so did my camera. When visiting places of interest I would often find myself alone, the wife having got fed up with my dawdling and shooting everything in site that she wandered off ahead, leaving me to snap away and catch up. I'm sure this is something that a few of you at least may understand.

I took this week off work to spend the week camping with my wife. Unfortunately the typical British weather has once again spoiled our plans so we opted instead to do various day trips to Wales' various and many hertiage attarctions - Old coal mines, iron works, caves, waterfalls, steam railways etc.

I didn't take my camera to any of them.

And, for the first time in a long while, I simply enjoyed walking hand-in-hand with my wife, enjoying the day. I didn't worry about finding interesting subjects to shoot, what angle to shoot from, which way the light was coming, what mode to use, why didn't I bring my tripod, damn my batteries are low... where's the missus? This week I have instead managed to absorb things of interest, planned further walks and visits, enjoyed uncomplicated time with the wife and enjoyed nature for what it is, not the image that I make it.

So maybe next time you're going somehere special or interesting and you automatically reach for your camera, reach for someone elses hand instead, or a flask of tea, or a packed lunch, or a guide book and a pair of boots. Leave the camera behind and view the world around you with your eyes, not through a lens.

All the best,
Matthew

[jujitsu1]

Hi Mattew I too went camping this week with the wife and children. We went to Mill farm in Bridgwater. The weather wasn't the best but we did have a good time and managed to visit a few places...Wookey hole being one of them. Unlike you I did take my camera with me and over the course of 5 days I took over 550 photos. Now the hard work of editing them all out a deleteing the ones that are simply no good.

[xxpinballxx]

all too true.....what i did was make a deal with my wife. SHe knows how passionate i am about photography and knows she can't fight it. Also she feels neglected....we go to watch a sunset and im off looking for the shot and she's looking for the comfort.

We decided if we take a trip somewhere that we will be spending an hour or two i get a small portion of it at the end to shoot. I'll leave the camera bag in the car, if its close and convenient, until we are about ready to leave then I'll get it and shoot and she'll either walk around or wait in the car or whatever.
Sort of a happy medium, although i still find myself wanting my camera all throughout the walk...llol!

[windrider86]

oh boy, what a touchy subject. My husband is in the same boat.

[arphot]

Matthew, interesting and so true. I think it also gives you the ability to scope out potential subjects without stopping to shoot them every time one pops up. This way you can go back at your leisure and snap away. No harm in looking, as they say (although, I really don't know who they are). Thanks for the enlightenment

[prrs4me]

You are right about just enjoying the day without a camera. However, whenever I leave my camera behind, I spend the entire day saying "Look at that. I wish I had brought my camera".
I can't win. When I don't have it with me I wish I did and when I do I wish I didn't.

[PnwGuy]

Well I must give you credit as it would be extremely difficult for me to do. I would spend all day lamenting the fact that I didn't bring my camera and the shots that I missed.

However, if my lady requested a day out without the camera I would respect and honor it.

[Laurence]

My boyfriend is also a photographer but he doesn't bring his camera all the time like I do. I at least have my point & shoot in my purse. When we go on vacation we are pretty much side by side taking photos. I would be surprised if he asked me to put down the camera and hold his hand. We do share the beauty in the moment together.

[hpebley3]

Nice reminder Matthew. A friend of mine refers to this as removing the crystal veil.

[imagesbyjk]

Good post. I stopped carrying my camera with me years ago. I got tired of being the spectator and official recorder of everything. I found when I left my camera I was a part of the action. I'm at a point where I want to find a balance though. I think its because on our recent trip to Mexico there were so many opportunities and my wife's pictures were...how do I put this gently....TERRIBLE!