I’m always a bit surprised when I hear folks say something along the lines of, “I’d love to find more time for photography,” like photography is an extracurricular activity for which one must set aside dedicated time. I hear tales of sad cameras left forgotten in a closet for months on end, and I just can’t comprehend this.
I’m surprised mostly because I easily forget that photography isn’t the same to everyone.
You see, photography is such an integral part of my life – such a part of me – that I never consciously think about explicitly dedicating time to it. Sure, I have to find the time for editing, blogging, and sharing, but the actual photography simply comes naturally. This is why I carry my little commuter camera with me wherever I go, and why my big camera pretty much lives right next the couch, within easy reach for that candid moment. I’m almost never without a camera.
Admittedly, the time does come from somewhere. I’m notorious for taking longer than most on hikes, and a simple foggy morning can make me much later to report into work. But a few minutes here and there, and I steadily accrue photos without ever “finding time” for it.
I’m much better at taking pictures than I am in actually processing them. In fact, there was a time when the endorphin hit from compressing the shutter was enough for me; I didn’t care much about even reviewing what I took. Months would go by before I’d finally offload a card. This blog forces me out of that negligence, but I still sometimes find photos I’ve forgotten I took. It’s like a mini-Christmas every time I insert that SD card!
Some might say my addiction to photography is an obsession, but I actually consider myself to be fairly well-rounded when it comes to this passion. Yes, I have a day job, and I do occasionally see my husband and kitties. But photography also fits into my life quite nicely. It can actually be a surprisingly social activity, and it encourages me to get out for regular adventures. It even gets me out in the middle of a blizzard to shoot the pristine beauty of a silent city, and it allows me to forget time, wandering until I realize I’m two miles from home, my fingers are frozen, and I’m famished…. that’s normal, right?
As opposed to some of my other hobbies, like reading or watching anime, photography pairs well with other activities, and it’s a great conversation-starter. Many of my friends are photographers, and they all have so many different interests that there’s always something to do – usually involving cameras.
So, no, I don’t set any time aside for photography. It’s merely there – a constant companion – and I’m happily along for the ride.
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[…] LotsaSmiles Photography WC: Finding Time for Photography […]
Beautiful fall impression from the Rose City! I can’t believe you caught that owl on camera i bright daylight. Amazing! I also love your comments on photography! Thanks for sharing, Brianna! Marcus
Thank you, Marcus. That owl was just hanging out in a park downtown! I was so surprised to see him just chilling there. I was sad to not have a longer lens on me, but he let me get pretty close.
i love this! i almost always have my camera with me! i will say, the one thing i wish i made more time for would be my ‘real’ camera (lol my film). i miss taking my film camera off the shelf and sliding in a new roll of film. it’s just so much easier to grab my digital.
I sold my old film camera years ago. I don’t think I’d be as motivated to shoot if I had to worry about film (mostly because I’d always be out of rolls!) 🙂
but film is sooooo much better… sigh just not as practical.
I’d be curious to see the difference after having shot digital for so long. I bet I could appreciate film a lot more now than I could then.
it’d be a fun project to take pictures side by side with digital and film.
Perhaps I’ll try that sometime 🙂
keep us posted if you do!