Help Advice On Taking a Camera Out Again

Fuji Dave

Fuji Dave

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Like so many on this thread and around the world I have been effected one way or another by this horrible virus, yes it's great that we are now coming out of lock down. But my big problem now is when I do go out I don't take a camera with me as I know my days of shooting jazz are over as don't fancy the thought of in door jazz photography any more, I know it sounds silly but a part of me is still scared to get out with camera in hand and shoot what I like even if it's people photography. Please can anyone give me any tips on what to do. Thank you.
 
I'm sorry but I can't remember exactly what you've posted in the past but you're dog pictures are pretty nice :D

In your place I'd force myself to take the camera and who knows, you may use it and get yourself going. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step... and all that.

I don't set out to create masterpieces (you may have noticed.) All I want to do is take pictures of people, things and places I love and things I find interesting. Maybe start with that yourself? Just take the camera and use it when you see something that catches your eye? You may get interested in a genre or just shoot lots of people and stuff. As long as your happy, that's the main thing.

Good luck with getting going :D

PS.
Going back to my film days I used to take a lot of pictures at music gigs with a Nikon SLR. I haven't been to one for years now.
 
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Stick the 100v in your pocket and bring it out if/when you feel the urge.
 
Lack of or mojo varying....... happens.

We had a walk yesterday and I regretted not taking a camera, because a Dunnock singing in a tree no more than 6ft away caught our attention. We really enjoyed watching it & listening to it but I thought, why didn't I have a camera to have photographed it :)
 
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I have had lack of mojo for much of Covid - Last April aside when I made the most of Cambridge being empty and got some great shots of the colleges and river.

Like many a lot of Covid has left me feeling low (even though I have not been affected directly with Covid re: people or jobs) - and much of my photography goes hand in hand with days out which involve shops/food/drink etc... Hoping that the next few weeks will see me get back into it.

Are you into landscapes and suchlike as now may be a good time for that?
 
woof woof said:
I'm sorry but I can't remember exactly what you've posted in the past but you're dog pictures are pretty nice :D

In your place I'd force myself to take the camera and who knows, you may use it and get yourself going. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step... and all that.

I don't set out to create masterpieces (you may have noticed.) All I want to do is take pictures of people, things and places I love and things I find interesting. Maybe start with that yourself? Just take the camera and use it when you see something that catches your eye? You may get interested in a genre or just shoot lots of people and stuff. As long as your happy, that's the main thing.

Good luck with getting going :D

PS.
Going back to my film days I used to take a lot of pictures at music gigs with a Nikon SLR. I haven't been to one for years now.
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Thank you Alan, when I do have a camera in hand I am happy.
 
Box Brownie said:
Lack of or mojo varying....... happens.

We had a walk yesterday and I regretted not taking a camera, because a Dunnock singing in a tree no more than 6ft away caught our attention. We really enjoyed watching it & listening to it but I thought, why didn't I have a camera to have photographed it :)
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Thank you, it could be a lack of mojo.
 
cambsno said:
I have had lack of mojo for much of Covid - Last April aside when I made the most of Cambridge being empty and got some great shots of the colleges and river.

Like many a lot of Covid has left me feeling low (even though I have not been affected directly with Covid re: people or jobs) - and much of my photography goes hand in hand with days out which involve shops/food/drink etc... Hoping that the next few weeks will see me get back into it.

Are you into landscapes and suchlike as now may be a good time for that?
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Thank you, I did try landscape a good few years ago but gave up maybe a thought to try again.
 
Fuji Dave said:
Thank you, I did try landscape a good few years ago but gave up maybe a thought to try again.
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I would give it another shot ['scuse the pun!] - I plan to get out a bit more with the camera too, been a while since I felt any kind of motivation outside of the bit of photography I do with the guys at work. Landscape is a good idea in that you can take your time, get used to just having the camera out with you again, and maybe you'll get a chance to get some people shots in too - people out for walks etc
 
I am not as interested as much as I was before, in cameras and taking photos. I have got a few more interests to pursue, so photography has taken a bit of a back seat.
 
Fuji Dave said:
Thank you, I did try landscape a good few years ago but gave up maybe a thought to try again.
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That may well help - somewhere you can re-familiarise yourself with taking pictures, but without the people. Although your life has been turned upside down by what's happened to your family, you don't have to surrender to the situation. While it may be much too big a change to go straight back to normality, each little step you can take is another victory over the effects of Covid.
 
Fuji Dave said:
Like so many on this thread and around the world I have been effected one way or another by this horrible virus, yes it's great that we are now coming out of lock down. But my big problem now is when I do go out I don't take a camera with me as I know my days of shooting jazz are over as don't fancy the thought of in door jazz photography any more, I know it sounds silly but a part of me is still scared to get out with camera in hand and shoot what I like even if it's people photography. Please can anyone give me any tips on what to do. Thank you.
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Buy some more gear ;) :ROFLMAO:

Seriously, what did you shoot before Covid? Surely not just Jazz? And scared in what way?
 
LeeRatters said:
Buy some more gear ;) :ROFLMAO:
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Don't encourage him :ROFLMAO: @Fuji Dave has just bought some lighting stuff recently. Presumably Dave it's more to do with going out for photography rather than photography in general?

You were pretty active with your phone in recent times, so why not just have that with you and go for a walk, or a cycle if you're well enough and just get used to getting out and about again.
 
Cagey75 said:
I would give it another shot ['scuse the pun!] - I plan to get out a bit more with the camera too, been a while since I felt any kind of motivation outside of the bit of photography I do with the guys at work. Landscape is a good idea in that you can take your time, get used to just having the camera out with you again, and maybe you'll get a chance to get some people shots in too - people out for walks etc
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I do need to put the X100V in my pocket when I do go out and just go from there.
 
ancient_mariner said:
That may well help - somewhere you can re-familiarise yourself with taking pictures, but without the people. Although your life has been turned upside down by what's happened to your family, you don't have to surrender to the situation. While it may be much too big a change to go straight back to normality, each little step you can take is another victory over the effects of Covid.
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I do have to think small instead of jumping in, so I will have a think of some new subjects to photograph.


LeeRatters said:
Buy some more gear ;) :ROFLMAO:

Seriously, what did you shoot before Covid? Surely not just Jazz? And scared in what way?
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Last bit of gear I got gets delivered tomorrow, my telescope as love just waiting the stars and night sky.

Even with Canon and then Fuji it was always people, but most person I ever photographed was my daughter so I think that maybe a reason why I think I'm scared.
 
Bebop said:
Don't encourage him :ROFLMAO: @Fuji Dave has just bought some lighting stuff recently. Presumably Dave it's more to do with going out for photography rather than photography in general?

You were pretty active with your phone in recent times, so why not just have that with you and go for a walk, or a cycle if you're well enough and just get used to getting out and about again.
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You do have a good point on the going out for photography, as when I take Susie out for her walks it's back home have a brew then back out again.
 
Fuji Dave said:
Last bit of gear I got gets delivered tomorrow, my telescope as love just waiting the stars and night sky.

Even with Canon and then Fuji it was always people, but most person I ever photographed was my daughter so I think that maybe a reason why I think I'm scared.
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There you go then. Grab the A7iii & the 24GM & go shoot landscape milky way/night sky/star trail images ;)

I guess a lot of it depends on your interests & where you live. For me I like being outdoors, early mornings, walking & hiking, planning routes/locations, hopefully wild camping this year. I think that sometimes counteracts a wrong weather forecast because I'm out doing what I enjoy anyway so I'm equally happy with no images, several or just one good one. I'm half an hour from the Mendip Hills, several good woodlands, a Victorian Pier & that's where I prefer to go. Yes, I have photographed Bath before but I started at 7:00 on a Sunday morning ;) I can't remember the last time I took any photos actually IN urban Bristol..... I guess if I lived in a big city I'd be more into a Sean Tucker style of shooting or architecture sunrise/sets rather than landscape.
 
Fuji Dave said:
You do have a good point on the going out for photography, as when I take Susie out for her walks it's back home have a brew then back out again.
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Does she get off the lead and chasing balls? I bet one of your stable of cameras would be more than able to capture her mid leap/miss!

As Lee said, aim a camera South from the beach to catch some Milky Way when it's clearly visible. Might be worth looking in to a way of connecting a camera to the telescope too.
 
Don’t know how to put this nicely , but here goes . Dave it’s not loss of mojo it’s simply depression something I think a lot of us are suffering from . You and only you can tackle it .. give yourself a goal and set out to achieve it . Or you will end up as a lot of us are as a couch potato wishing for the good old days to return .. and that’s not going to happen
 
the black fox said:
Don’t know how to put this nicely , but here goes . Dave it’s not loss of mojo it’s simply depression something I think a lot of us are suffering from . You and only you can tackle it .. give yourself a goal and set out to achieve it . Or you will end up as a lot of us are as a couch potato wishing for the good old days to return .. and that’s not going to happen
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That is just what my doctor said too, so he gave me some anti depression pills so maybe just need to let them start to kick in.
 
Fuji Dave said:
That is just what my doctor said too, so he gave me some anti depression pills so maybe just need to let them start to kick in.
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I've struggled with depression for decades. One thing that helped me and indeed changed my life was thinking about what I wanted to change and making lists and thinking about how to achieve change. Thinking of where I was, what I wanted to change and making a list genuinely helped me to move forward. I still have my struggles and I suppose they'll be with me until I die but I am in a different place now and I am much happier and much less troubled.

So I suggest making lists and doing things to move forward. It might help, men often like lists and plans and the like :D

PS.
I don't know what that is. But I want one :D
 
Sometimes I find pushing yourself to do something out of your comfort zone really helps. Like last year I biked a bit, up to 20 miles (would often do a 14 mile round trip to work) and then just decided to bike to Ely and back, 36m. Stopped, had some lunch and a wander... now I have spent loads on a road bike and other stuff and have done a number of 40-50m trips and lots planned for this year. Same with my kayak. Nice day back in Sept, so paddled 4m or so down river to a pub, and had a pint then paddled back. Spur of the moment stuff.

Sometimes just making the decision, often at last minute, to do something and just do it can open up new doors! Easy to say but maybe just get up tomorrow and even if you dont feel like it, do ZYX... like go to a local park and aim to take a nice picture of tree blossom.
 
woof woof said:
I've struggled with depression for decades. One thing that helped me and indeed changed my life was thinking about what I wanted to change and making lists and thinking about how to achieve change. Thinking of where I was, what I wanted to change and making a list genuinely helped me to move forward. I still have my struggles and I suppose they'll be with me until I die but I am in a different place now and I am much happier and much less troubled.

So I suggest making lists and doing things to move forward. It might help, men often like lists and plans and the like :D

PS.
I don't know what that is. But I want one :D
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He has given me Sertraline to take, but they are waiting for stock in the chemists doctor said it's for maybe depression or PTSD.

The scope is a Bresser Messier AR-102/1000mm Refractor telescope.
 
cambsno said:
Sometimes I find pushing yourself to do something out of your comfort zone really helps. Like last year I biked a bit, up to 20 miles (would often do a 14 mile round trip to work) and then just decided to bike to Ely and back, 36m. Stopped, had some lunch and a wander... now I have spent loads on a road bike and other stuff and have done a number of 40-50m trips and lots planned for this year. Same with my kayak. Nice day back in Sept, so paddled 4m or so down river to a pub, and had a pint then paddled back. Spur of the moment stuff.

Sometimes just making the decision, often at last minute, to do something and just do it can open up new doors! Easy to say but maybe just get up tomorrow and even if you dont feel like it, do ZYX... like go to a local park and aim to take a nice picture of tree blossom.
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Last year I was riding my E Bike but health issues stopped that, only at the moment though as plan to start again when my chest gets better.
I plan to go out tomorrow so will force my self to take one on my cameras.
 
Fuji Dave said:
Thank you, I did try landscape a good few years ago but gave up maybe a thought to try again.
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Maybe do what I did last year. Go out for long walks, take a cheap or old camera (I took the old Sony A700) with a wide angle zoom. Then catalogue the seasonal changes. The weather is bright at the moment, the trees are bare, the skies blue, good lighting conditions. At some point the foliage will appear, then different plants will blossom (On yeserday's walk, the orchids were starting to blossom), different butterflies and birds etc.
The more time you spend outdoors, the more you see and experience.
Good luck Dave.
 
andya700 said:
Maybe do what I did last year. Go out for long walks, take a cheap or old camera (I took the old Sony A700) with a wide angle zoom. Then catalogue the seasonal changes. The weather is bright at the moment, the trees are bare, the skies blue, good lighting conditions. At some point the foliage will appear, then different plants will blossom (On yeserday's walk, the orchids were starting to blossom), different butterflies and birds etc.
The more time you spend outdoors, the more you see and experience.
Good luck Dave.
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Thank you Andy.
 
I have two very good photography friends who I tend to shooting with, however, I've only seen one of them in the last year and that was bumping into him in a supermarket.
My camera has only been out of the bag once since the first lockdown began and I didn't take a single photo.
I was thinking about selling up and just keeping the Olympus for holidays etc but my girlfriend has made be see sense.
Hopefully my mojo will eventually will come back.
 
hashcake said:
I have two very good photography friends who I tend to shooting with, however, I've only seen one of them in the last year and that was bumping into him in a supermarket.
My camera has only been out of the bag once since the first lockdown began and I didn't take a single photo.
I was thinking about selling up and just keeping the Olympus for holidays etc but my girlfriend has made be see sense.
Hopefully my mojo will eventually will come back.
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I have come close to jacking it all in, but as I know I love photography I'd regret it straight away. I have to go out tomorrow so batteries are all charged so one of my cameras will come out with me.
 
Fuji Dave said:
I have come close to jacking it all in, but as I know I love photography I'd regret it straight away. I have to go out tomorrow so batteries are all charged so one of my cameras will come out with me.
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I did that in 2011 and ending up regretting it.
I got back into photography in 2017 but not going to make the same mistake twice.
 
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Well I did not force my self at all today, but I totally loved it. It was the X100V that came with me so got my glasses fixed then had a pint out in the sun in a lovely beer garden then out came the camera and that was it. It felt so damn good being out with a camera again after so long.
 
woof woof said:
Great stuff Dave :D

On thing that's been helping me is research, looking for and buying old lenses.
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Noooo! That is so addictive. Years ago, when I was getting into nature photography, I bought a load of manual focus Takumars and Zeiss lenses and extension tubes. The quality and engineering is superb.
 
andya700 said:
Noooo! That is so addictive. Years ago, when I was getting into nature photography, I bought a load of manual focus Takumars and Zeiss lenses and extension tubes. The quality and engineering is superb.
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I've just bought two Takumars, 50mm f1.4 and 28mm f3.5. I'm having trouble with adapters but hope to be up and running next week.
 
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