Comments on: Traveling With Non-photographers

By: Megan

Megan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 04:23:20 +0000

Of course you’re going to miss the shot. That’s the entire philosophy behind Murphy’s Law. And if you choose to go to (enter desired location here) two times, the one you attend as a family will be the one where all the fantastic photo ops happen. And the one where you lug all your gear will, of course, be plagued with stomach flu. I say, pack the gear anyway and then the photo gods can’t mess with you.

By: Earl B

Earl B — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:21:25 +0000

I know the feeling as all of you do, of “hurry up and shoot”.
Even with some of the organizations I travel with I’m always running to catch up.

In those situations I try to schedule some time to work alone so I can focus on the project at hand.

Great post and enjoyed everyone’s responses.

By: Dana Reed

Dana Reed — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:27:49 +0000

Hi Jeffrey,

Traveling (or at least a day or two on the trip), and even just going out for an evening walk can actually feel almost liberating without the camera. I don’t know about you, but often when I am concentrating on getting a shot, I don’t have the same appreciation for what I am seeing. When I just stop to see whatever beautiful thing has caught my eye, when I don’t have a camera, I find I can simply immerse myself in the experience without thinking of anything else, and it can be a richer experience for that. You also become participant, rather than simply observer.

You can always start slow and take a camera on the trip, but choose to leave it behind on several outings.

Cheers

By: jilske

jilske — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 09:32:25 +0000

Thanks for thinking this through Jeffrey. I didn’t realize either until walking with some of you on KWTF how big the difference can be.
Even between shooting with different photographers there was a big difference in how I felt and reacted – which is reflected in my pictures.
I guess the most important is that you can communicate with the person, whether they’re a photographer or not. Like Amie said, discuss both your needs beforehand. If you did and they are still not getting it, or you are not, then at least you tried. Iterations, adjust and try again if need be?

By: Domestic Executive

Domestic Executive — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:34:30 +0000

I’ve just come back from a few days holiday in Sydney. Photographically it was not a “success” as I wasn’t clear in my own mind how to distinguish between photography and holidaying. I think I need to work this out myself and then enlist the support or request some time specifically do set off with my camera. As someone learning photography I have an appetite to take every opportunity but from this trip I’ve learned that is probably putting too much pressure on myself and ultimately leads to disappointment. I’ll try and work this out before I venture forth on my next big trip at Christmas where the stakes will be higher – am travelling with a bigger family group but at least one of them is into photography. No pressure but…….

By: Flat white and other photographic dilemmas | Domestic Executive

Flat white and other photographic dilemmas | Domestic Executive — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:22:39 +0000

[...] heaps more time. Interestingly even professional photographers struggle with this dilemma if this article by Jeffrey Chapman is anything to go [...]

By: Jeffrey Chapman

Jeffrey Chapman — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:57:49 +0000

Geir, gifts work too!

Lisa, going out alone is a good plan.

Jessica, David who?

By: jessica

jessica — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:43:42 +0000

i found your blog from david duchemin’s. i have had some of the same thoughts traveling over the last few weeks with family. i took my gear to new york, and san francisco, they were patient, but i felt rushed, and didn’t come away with any shots that i will really use. got a lot of great idea’s and sketches, but nothing for my portfolio.
i was in nashville the beginning of this week, and left my gear at home. it was tough, but i was more engaged with people, and while i want to go back with my gear – i am not taking it with me when the trip doesn’t allow space for me to have the time i would want to shoot. i took a small point and shoot to remember ideas…

By: Lisa O

Lisa O — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 01:40:06 +0000

When I want to travel light I go with my Micro 4/3 cameras, Olympus EPL2, EPL-1 or Panasonic GF-1. They are not much bigger than a recent Canon G series camera. Lenses are much smaller and lighter then their DSLR equivalents and image quality almost as good as crop sensor cameras. Where they begin to fail is in low light but still much better than current crop of P&S cameras.

If I don’t take pictures of on vacation I feel as if I wasn’t really there. Keeping non photographers happy is hard for me but I try to go out early on my own but if I see a cool picture it’s hard to stop me.

By: Geir

Geir — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 23:29:15 +0000

What keeps the non-photographers happy is when you get back and they get to use the lovely images you captured while they were waiting – or even posing.