Leaving the camera behind while traveling

For the photography people: Have you ever left behind your camera while traveling to a new country in the interest of just 'taking things in'? And did you regret it?

9 years ago

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19 replies

Latest reply was from rabbit

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, me. And I ended up hogging other people's cameras all the time (from the group). I think I always need something to take pictures for myself, even if it's just a small point and shoot camera and not my DSLR. I've managed to cut down the picture taking in the last few years all the same, even when I have my camera with me - I just force myself to consider for each picture if I would want to take it if I had to use film (and pay for it).

9 years ago

Emily

Veteran

I haven't, because I would go crazy. I think taking photographs encourages me to look for what is beautiful and interesting and thereby enhances my experience.

9 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i have found that often a camera keeps you from really enjoying where you are. i now mostly just use the camera in my phone, really i dont need a ton of photo's to remember where i've been, i really want photo's of the people i'm with....and my phone's pictures are good enough for that.

9 years ago

catseye

Veteran

Exactly what kkards said. I found taking photos completely distracting from the experience. I still take them. But sometimes wish nobody is taking pictures so that we can all be more in the now, KWIM?

9 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

Have to agree with kkards. I hardly ever take photos of places anymore, just a few of people because those are the ones I think I will want to look at years later.

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I've very rarely taken any pictures while travelling, I just find it distracting from the experience of being there and that better images of pretty much any landscape or building that someone has photographed before you exist online. I particularly hate visiting an art museum and everyone is taking pictures of the paintings but not actually looking at them in the flesh. I do take pictures of family members and friends we visit, or bizarre and unique little things we stumble across.

9 years ago

abc

Veteran

I guess it is a personal decision based on how into photography you are. For people that aren't really photographers or into taking pics, it's pretty easy to leave a camera behind, but if I understand the question correctly, gradfashionista is asking more about when you love taking photos if you have regretted leaving a camera behind - a different scenario altogether.

I see the benefit, being more present and in the moment. You could take the camera and try to be more mindful, or like Astrid said, maybe take a point and shoot instead (you have the security blanket feeling of having a camera but with less bulk)

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

That's a good point abc. Some of my artwork does involve photography but it's a very different mindset I'm in, kind of a highly focused and directed and 'working' space, rather than the more encompassing, aware of everything happening with all my senses 'discovering' space I like to be when travelling.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's hardly fair for me to answer the question, but I would HATE to leave behind the camera while traveling. It is my job, after all.

However, there are plenty of times while traveling when I leave the camera at my side and stop to enjoy things as they unfold, rather than experience them through the viewfinder. I don't bother with taking pictures in places like museums -- I'm there to LOOK at the art, not document it.

I was just in Cuba for 10 days, and my most memorable interactions with the people there occurred without any photos being taken. Granted, I'm not a great "people photographer," but it was still noteworthy. I also spent a full afternoon on the beach without taking any photographs, and it was a wonderful break for my eye, mind, and soul. I don't think I did my best photography on this trip, but it was more than worthwhile to take the photographs anyway.

To each his/her own. A camera is a critical part of my travel experience, because I'm always open to the experience of creating art, and I'd hate to miss an opportunity. However, some experiences are best viewed without anything between the eyes and the scene.

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I don't take pictures in museums either, at least not direct pictures of the art. The pic below is one of the few pictures I took during a visit to the Louvre a few years ago. I definitely agree that you miss out when you only look through the camera, but I wouldn't want to go completely without either. It's all about moderation. I'm still learning to stick to that myself!

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9 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

If I'm going to save anything about the museum, it would be the ticket stub.
At various points during my travels, my shoulders and back have become so sore from carrying electronics that I think, why bother, when there are tons of photos online. Buuut...
I loved what Janet said about being open to experience of creating art. When I have a camera, I do tend to look at my surroundings differently, particularly when it comes to light and negative space. A point-and-shoot initially seemed like a good compromise, until I realized how frustrated I'd quickly become by not having control over the shutter or aperture. Hmm. A few more days to decide until Germany.

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Ooh, you're going to Germany? Where to?

(And there are some higher end point and shoots where you have the option to easily control the settings yourself.)

9 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Berlin! First visit, with a few days after my engagement to wander around and take in the sights.

9 years ago

Elly

Veteran

This is a hard one for me. I love photography and often enjoy spending a day "crafting" shots, as well as taking advantage of opportunities. That said, I hate to be "pressured" to shoot when I am not feeling like it or would rather just enjoy. Despite the weight, I like to lug my big camera with me but try not to spend all my time looking through the lens. However, if I had a high mega-pixel count camera that was easy to manipulate, I might opt for a point and shoot. I really like to have both.

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Ooh, have fun then. Feel free to write me a PN if you have any questions.

9 years ago

Joy

Veteran

This is hard. I have found a camera distracting me from the real experience. On the other hand it seems the best way to recall a trip later back home. Sometimes I have depended on buying postcards of sites. Balance.

9 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I always pack and carry around my camera, but I rarely remember to take pictures, because I'm usually caught up in the moment. So I think it's a good thing.

Besides, the BF takes enough pictures for both of us

9 years ago

Irene

Veteran

I used to, back when I didn't care about photography at all. I still remember my first trip to Dublin, my mother giving me a camera to take pictures with, 'please take some pictures', me giving the camera to my best friend so that she took those pictures for me. I think I enjoy travelling a lot more now that I take those pictures myself, and take in my surroundings, pay a lot more attention. That said, I have a peculiar interest and sense of beauty, so that when, just yesterday, I visited a modern art gallery, these are the photos I came up with: http://littledalloway.blogspot.....llery.html I figured that since I couldn't get rid of the people in the photos, I might as well 'use' them to my advantage lol

9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Irene, your photos are beautiful!

9 years ago

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