Guilt and Photography - Page 3

Carterofmars · 09-07-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave lackey

No, that is simply life. Music would be nothing without the pauses between active notes and the same is with life. You make your own music as you go along with pauses now and then, until the end.

It is what you do overall that determines your outcome, so enjoy the breaks and come back each time re-invigorated with passion!

So nicely put. Ever think of taking up the pen?

Tijmendal · 09-11-2012

I do to an extent. Having all this expensive gear and not using it gives me slight guilt. Nothing too bad though!

jkrumsick · 10-19-2012

For me guilt isn't the correct term. I feel a bit more empty inside. Like I haven't walked outside or smelled fresh air. Making photographs makes me feel somehow whole.

denizg7 · 10-20-2012

i feel like i am missing something. I saved up a lot of money to get in to the leica system I wanted and I've probably shot twice with it so far , with the lens imperfectations and the cla and busy with life and all

robbeiflex · 10-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tijmendal

I do to an extent. Having all this expensive gear and not using it gives me slight guilt. Nothing too bad though!

When it comes to fitness, dropping a big wad of cash on new cycling / (pick your fav) sport gear is one way to guilt yourself into burning some calories. When it comes to photography, often not using the gear is due to working too much (in my case in a field other than photography), so the same dynamic doesn't work for me - not that I mind.

robbeiflex · 10-20-2012

^^ yup, busy with life. Well said and no need to feel guilty for that!

Nikos72 · 10-20-2012

It feels like missing something big! Sometimes I feel like the need to be creative but missing doing so. I think I get depressed!

Roger Hicks · 10-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by denizg7

i feel like i am missing something. I saved up a lot of money to get in to the leica system I wanted and I've probably shot twice with it so far , with the lens imperfectations and the cla and busy with life and all

?

How long ago did you buy into the Leica system? Why? And why have you spent more time on RFF than shooting with the Leica?

I've not shot with a Leica for 6 days (and then, just 2 pics). Last time I carried it was last night, when I shot nothing Do I feel guilty? No. I carry one, and when I see something I want to shoot, I do. Otherwise, why should I force myself?

Cheers,

R.

denizg7 · 10-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

?

How long ago did you buy into the Leica system? Why? And why have you spent more time on RFF than shooting with the Leica?

I've not shot with a Leica for 6 days (and then, just 2 pics). Last time I carried it was last night, when I shot nothing Do I feel guilty? No. I carry one, and when I see something I want to shoot, I do. Otherwise, why should I force myself?

Cheers,

R.

Well Roge,

I have this tradition where when I just wake up and before I go to sleep I lay on my bed and on my macbook, I check my emails , news , and recently RFF and other forums..

My job has been very boring lately and I've been waisting a lot of time on the internet at my work at the moment.

Richard G · 10-20-2012

I have an intense desire to be out and taking photographs. I particularly enjoyed the process with film and having to get the exposure right and make decisions and consider the 36 shots only on a roll of Velvia which cost 36 dollars. This so absorbed me that I almost did not care as much for the results as the act of taking the pictures. I now have a digital M and the process is a little different, and perhaps similarly absorbing, but in a slightly different way. So it is not guilt but frustration that I have when I am not out with a camera. I think I feel less guilty than ever at all the unfiled negatives, unscanned negatives, uncatalogued digital images and the almost complete lack of printing. It is the last thing listed here that I ought to attend to first.

And please don't call me Rich.

denizg7 · 10-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G

I have an intense desire to be out and taking photographs. I particularly enjoyed the process with film and having to get the exposure right and make decisions and consider the 36 shots only on a roll of Velvia which cost 36 dollars. This so absorbed me that I almost did not care as much for the results as the act of taking the pictures. I now have a digital M and the process is a little different, and perhaps similarly absorbing, but in a slightly different way. So it is not guilt but frustration that I have when I am not out with a camera. I think I feel less guilty than ever at all the unfiled negatives, unscanned negatives, uncatalogued digital images and the almost complete lack of printing. It is the last thing listed here that I ought to attend to first.

And please don't call me Rich.

Richy does have a point. When you have 36 exposures you don't just waste shots and think more about them. Plus it's more of a thrill to see your final product after the processing than immediately in a digital.

Richard G · 10-21-2012

Q.E.D. - quod erat demonstrandum

Photo_Smith · 10-21-2012

What about when you have three kids, a job, house etc and have so little time that when you take images you're aware you have other things to do.
So guilt? Yes when I take time out of life to make an image that is my guilt.

Fedupwithdigital · 10-21-2012

I go for long periods without using my cameras due to having to work like a dog periodically. I feel guilt, but that's because I'm neglecting my wife and kids, not because I'm not taking photographs. As far as photography is concerned, what I feel is frustration! I've got a Ricoh 500G and a Konica C35 in pieces and can't get round to fixing them. And I've got a Konica Auto S2 that needs some attention but is sitting in a box. Grrrr.

But hey at least I've got a job!

falleri · 10-23-2012

Option one but as others pointed out, mostly frustrated. A bit guilty because I'm always too hard on myself and don't accept periods of not making anything (of some importance). However for me breaks from photography can mean I start drawing a lot and then it's healthy for me, I don't feel comfortable when I don't create anything for a while. It makes me nervous. Like somehow I lost something. And it makes me feel lazy. I need to at least make something.

alun severn · 10-25-2012

Yes, I do feel guilty - to such an extent that over recent months, after much heart searching and navel-gazing I sold every bit of my Leica gear. Use it or lose it, they say, and in a spirit of self-piunishment (I think) I decided that this should also apply to me and expensive camera equipment. To be completely honest, it still feels like the right decision - a curious sense of relief that I am no longer compelled to go out constantly to take pictures I thought were for the most part second-rate....

Spanik · 10-25-2012

Neither, more regret I didn't take/had time.

Paul Jenkin · 10-26-2012

As of today (26/10) it's less than a percentage point difference - which I find surprising.

I sometimes go for a few weeks without taking a photo. Occasionally, it's due to other priorities and other times, I just don't feel like it (which is unusual in itself). My mood tends to be more one of frustration than guilt - I can't understand why anyone would feel "guilty" about not taking photos - unless, of course, the photos were commissioned by / paid for by someone else.