I have been finding that my photography seems to fall into two completely different scenarios: One scenario is when I go out to "do" photography with my DSLR with my heavy bag of lenses, filters, extra batteries and tripod. In those situations I am usually heading somewhere specific like a marsh, ocean or to visit places I have made a mental note to photograph. At least 50 percent of the time I am looking for HDR shots or long exposure shots or am doing animal/sports with a long lens.
The other scenario is one of opportunity taken with my point-and-shoot camera which lives in my pocket or cycling jersey. What is interesting is I am finding that a great many of my better pictures are taken using my point-and-shoot and are scenarios I just happen to notice as I happen upon them. This has happened so much in recent months I just ordered a far superior point-and-shoot camera to replace the "three-second-pause-when-depressing-shutter" low-megapixel-POS I have been using.
What about you guys? Do you find that you take pictures both ways too? Which happens most?
I manage both ways, but I'm trying more at the moment to plan photographs to stretch myself a bit. I only have a P&S at the moment, but am saving for an SLR, but even when I get one I'll be taking my P&S everywhere too.
I don't plan at all; very seldom do I make the effort of setting up a photo. It's fun though and it helps keeps me organized when I really don't feel like it, but I signed up in hopes of getting real shots, so I prefer "accidents" :)
I have to say that I just carry my point-and-shoot and take pictures through out the day of whatever catches my eye. Most are spontaneous but I do sometimes set up a picture too. It's all good.
I always have a camera near me, the exception being when I'm out cycling (but then I'm not usually looking for pictures because I'm focussed on the training). So, shots sometimes just come to me, and at other times I go looking for them. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other - I love both - but because my work revolves around my camera, it can often seem as though I'm always planning the next shot. All that said, I rarely set out with a particular shot or brief in mind. I tend to shoot what I see, with minimal intervention in the scene, but I do guide my human subjects subtly.
All said and done, I think the lines are rather blurred for me.
I have a big camera (not digital) and found that I didn't use it as much or enjoy using it as much, because it was heavy and obtrusive. In fact, I have found for me, the smaller the camera, the better. The one I am using now fits in my pocket and purse and I can carry it everywhere and take pictures unobtrusively.
I think it depends on what kinds of pictures you are after. If you want the pretty, wow factor, pictures of nature and animals, a bigger camera is probably the way to go. Like you said, the scenic stuff. If you want more slice of life pictures, then a smaller camera is better. A smaller camera is also more available to take all kinds of settings and scenes, and therefore there are probably more small camera pictures, so it has a better chance to catch a nice shot.
I like variety in my pictures and settings. So I like the P&S to capture whatever catches my fancy that day. Probably having both types of cameras would provide even more variety.
so far for the majority this year, i've been taking my 450D everywhere with me - to work, down the road, to events and yes on holiday. Ive got it in a slingshot 100 with my 50mm prime and find that its not too heavy so i'm pretty happy with it. I do use my point and shoot sometimes (like right now when i'm in malaysia) but I find that I miss my 450D :)
For me it's about 50-50. I always have my P&S in my purse, so if I see something interesting, I take a pic. And I like that, because I realise I am more aware of what is around me. But I also plan shots, especially when I don't have a picture for a day yet, or when I have a specific idea in mind. I think great pics can come out of both ways.
for me both work. but i kinda put the point and shoot on the shelf to collect dust. I tend to take my camera everywhere... even though its a canon 7 d and weighs a bit with the lens and some accessories. I even bring it with me if im going to the store, just in case i find something on the way, or take it to the river when im swimming, or family outings. I just love the quality of my dslr far better than a point and shoot captures moments.
David...all I have is a P&S ( "of the three-second-pause-when-depressing-shutter" low-megapixel-POS" variety )...and yes...I find the best photos are the ones that
I just happen upon.
One of my fav photos was a close-up of a dragonfly in my garden, that had alighted on a plant hanger, and sat there for a few minutes while I snapped away, without skipping a beat, while talking to my brother on the phone.
I saw an opportunity, the camera was just sitting on the table, so I picked it up in my other ( not holding the phone ) hand, opened the patio door, and kept talking, while I shot. My brother never even knew what was going on.
I LOVE those moments!
One more comment.....Lots of cyclists on this site!
My husband is a cyclist/ 365-day-a-year ( yes! even in Canada! ) bike commuter, and writes a cycling column for our local paper.
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All said and done, I think the lines are rather blurred for me.
I think it depends on what kinds of pictures you are after. If you want the pretty, wow factor, pictures of nature and animals, a bigger camera is probably the way to go. Like you said, the scenic stuff. If you want more slice of life pictures, then a smaller camera is better. A smaller camera is also more available to take all kinds of settings and scenes, and therefore there are probably more small camera pictures, so it has a better chance to catch a nice shot.
I like variety in my pictures and settings. So I like the P&S to capture whatever catches my fancy that day. Probably having both types of cameras would provide even more variety.
I just happen upon.
One of my fav photos was a close-up of a dragonfly in my garden, that had alighted on a plant hanger, and sat there for a few minutes while I snapped away, without skipping a beat, while talking to my brother on the phone.
I saw an opportunity, the camera was just sitting on the table, so I picked it up in my other ( not holding the phone ) hand, opened the patio door, and kept talking, while I shot. My brother never even knew what was going on.
I LOVE those moments!
One more comment.....Lots of cyclists on this site!
My husband is a cyclist/ 365-day-a-year ( yes! even in Canada! ) bike commuter, and writes a cycling column for our local paper.