I haven’t picked up my DSLR camera for quite some time now. I do take photos but just iPhone photos which obviously are not the best quality but capture where I am at and what I am seeing at a particular time.
I would usually have taken the camera to Sydney for example but decided that I didn’t want to and I won’t be taking it to the UK this year either.
I think there are a few reasons why I haven’t really wanted to pick up the camera which I think means it won’t be a permanent break as I do really love taking and looking at photographs.
1) I think I fell in love with photography partly because I didn’t want to be in front of the camera and it was easier to be the one taking the photos. I found I did really enjoy the hobby and soon learnt the skills to take some reasonable photographs through courses and joining camera clubs but now I am a bit happier being in front of the camera and also just like to be out and about more.
2) It is heavy and cumbersome. I have a DSLR (several actually) and the body itself is not light and then you throw on the lens and have to carry the alternative lenses as well as a spare battery, memory cards, a tripod and the list goes on. Then you have to stop swap everything around for maybe one or two photos before swapping back.
We go to plenty of places which would be beautiful to photograph but I am preferring to explore the location than have to worry about a camera. I am thinking about buying a more compact camera where I can change the ISO, aperture and shutter speed etc to suit but everything is all in one down the road, particularly if I don’t get back in to using the DSLR.
3) I just don’t want to worry about finding the perfect spot for a photograph at the moment. The iPhone does limit the quality of the photos I can take but I can just stop when we are out walking, take a photo and move on.
4) It takes a long time to process the photos you take! I would take photos in RAW format and then spend up to days editing them to end up with just a few photos from the huge amount taken. The process is satisfying but I don’t really have the time or patience at the moment to sit down and do that work. I’d rather be working out, walking/exploring or spending time with those around me.
5) I had planned to join a camera club when we got to Brisbane but when I looked into it there were so many clubs around I didn’t know where to start. I eventually planned to go to meetings at what I think is the nearest club but when it came to the club nights I just didn’t want to go. I know it would be good for me to meet like minded people and it may actually spark the passion for photography again but it isn’t appealing to me right now.
I am really sure that this is not the end to my photography hobby. I take a lot of photos still and when it is time I will find a camera which does suit what I want to do or pick that DSLR back up again.