Imagine this:
You’re out doing the daily errands when suddenly you see a wonderful photograph. The sun is hitting in that particular way that makes stuff look magical, you reach for your camera ready to take a picture… Oh wait, you left it at home. You curse at yourself and carry on with the day, but it still irks you that you couldn’t take that photo.
This is a scenario that is so incredibly common for us as photographers, but I’ve found a way to make it happen… less.
And that is to get a small lens, actually so small that the camera becomes effortless to take with you.
And ever since I got that lens the camera has become so small and light. And because of how small and light it is, it naturally becomes easier to bring with you.
And that is the ultimate goal.
To have it with you at all times. Ofc you could always take a picture with your phone, but if you’re anything like me that doesn’t “feel” right.
That’s why we bought a camera, having it in our hands and clicking that shutter button, there is something in it that we enjoy… and ofc the off chance of whatever we snap being a banger is a added bonus.
But I will be honest, even when the camera is small and easy to carry, I still forget.
But when that happens I have this mental exercise you can do, which lightens the blow… a little.
As well as relieving the pain of a missed shot, it’s also a great exercise for your observation skills.
As Henri Cartier-Bresson says:
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart, and head.
And that is what this exercise does, it hones our senses.
And it’s incredibly easy all you do is;
1. Be present in the moment.
2. When you notice something that peaks your interest or you feel would look great as a photo snap it with your mind.
3. Envision how the photo came out.
This lightens that feeling of “missing” the shot, because in a way you’ve taken the picture.. with your mind.
And this exercise will always be with you, because you are the camera, and you always were.
So give it a try and let me know if it helps!
Hope you have a great weekend!
– Dines