Carry a camera. Then use it

We’ve had -16°C, snow, ice, sunshine, 0°C this week. A total rag-tag-bag of weather. It’s the end of the world as we know it.

I want to capture everything in pictures. That’s my ikigai. Well, that and bassets, but that’s another story.

Taking photographs like a madman is why my hard drives are full. I think I’m at 16 TBs and counting as I write. Maybe more. 

But the thing is, I often forget to take pictures.

Yes, even as a dedicated photographer I can’t always be bothered. 

It’s a hassle carrying a camera. It’s a pain digging out my iPhone when I spot something snap-worthy. And sometimes I’m just plain ol’ scared of what someone might say.

Another shot from the same day that killed two birds with one stone, so to speak. I post "#postboxsaturday” snaps on social media on Saturday’s. This was one to add to the bank. I also managed to get another Colour Red. Note the woman’s coat, the “7” the red bit on the balcony and the red store sign towards the end of street. None of this was intentional other than my intention to take a photograph. The postbox drew me in and the rest all came together in that moment. There was so much snow blowing in my face that I really didn’t hesitate, too busy heading for the subway. 

Have you got the mindset of a photographer?

I think it all comes down to your mindset. Pushing myself to take photographs even when I can’t be bothered is part of my praxis. 

Being conscious of the benefits, of the thrills of taking something special, of the stories you capture when you’re really not up for it, is something I strive to remind myself when I can’t be bothered.

I try to stay cognisant of it.

That’s why I was snapping away in the middle of the biggest snowstorm we’ve had for a while this Wednesday en route to an interior shoot. 

Bloody hell it was snowing. I was worried my kit bag would be drenched through by the time I got to the shoot. Wednesday this week. Again. Shot with my pocket camera and gloves on.

Going the extra mile for a shot

I was about half an hour early, hadn’t eaten breakfast and could just as easily found a warm café and grabbed a cortado and sandwich. 

Believe me, I was this close. But instead I took pictures. I even put my non-weather sealed pocket camera in harm’s way to get a few shots. 

I’m bloody glad I did (and, yes, the camera is fine).

The snapshots I collected tell the story of the day and something of the people out and about. 

I also got some pics for my Colour Red project. 

More importantly perhaps, I felt good about the pictures when I opened them up later. Not as in they were great pictures. I felt good that I’d scratched my favourite itch. That I’d got something special. For me. 

About a minute after this shot a street photographer stepped into frame and asked me if I got the shot. I jumped. But I was touched he stopped to say “Hej”.

So, be mindful

Be mindful to carry a camera (or be prepared to use your phone) and remind yourself regularly to take pictures of the world you see around you. Even if you really can’t be bothered. 

And then just get out there and do it.

You don’t know the treasures you’ll collect.