jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Boy, is this an appropriate article! How many times do we get questions from members who wonder how much photo gear they should bring with them on a vacation? I always wonder if it's a vacation or a paid photo-shoot. I would rather enjoy a fun event and take some nice pictures rather than spend the whole time concentrating on photography.

http://petapixel.com/2015/08/01/is-your-camera-keeping-you-from-experiencing-lifes-precious-moments/

Be sure to watch the movie clip. If you haven't seen the film - Walter Mitty - it's worth seeing.

GWR100 Loc: England

Brilliant clip,-- Im still smiling------ but it makes you think,
nice one Jerry

Geoff

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Want the real Walter Mitty? Read James Thurber's story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I know. Totally different from this movie. There was also the Danny Kaye version many years ago.

Harry Thomas Loc: Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

When I go places - - I take as many photos as I can - -
So that when I Can't go places any more, I can remember where I've been and what I've seen.
Best part will be - I can look at the same photos the next day, and be just as amazed <LOL> :lol:

btbg

There are moments when looking through the a camera lens and shooting can cause you to miss part of the bigger picture.

However, no matter how endearing the moment in the film clip might seem it is absurd for a professional photographer to not take the shot. That's what he is paid to do.

It's my job to shoot. That includes moments that are happy, sad, jubilant, angry, violent, even deadly. It's my job to shoot first and then worry about whether or not the photo should be seen by others later.

We recently had a fatal car crash in town. It was my job to capture the scene, no matter how unpleasant. That's what photojournalists do. Does anyone really think that a Life photographer would keep his job if he doesn't take the picture.

You should never take the context of the moment for granted and you should never be so engrossed in taking the shot that you miss what is going on around you. But some of us are paid to get the shot and that is our responsibility and duty.

Consider what would happen if a wedding photographer were to be caught up in the moment and never shot. How would the client feel then?

To have this debate about vacation photography is a legitimate discussion but for a professional photographer on assignment there's no way.

It's an absurd scene made even more absurd by the mismatched equipment.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

But what if you're a Pro Photog - - on VACATION :shock: :shock:

btbg

Nothing in the video that would indicate Sean Penn's character is on vacation. Care to comment on the fact that there is an autofocus lens on a camera that predates autofocus lenses?

I don't even get the point of the video because in context it has nothing to do with the point that the writer of the article is making. In fact it tends to hurt his case.

If a photographer is on vacation then the photographer and anyone else on the trip need to decide together what level of importance the photography is going to have as part of the trip.

I personally an very thankful for the memories that some of the photos I have taken bring back. If I didn't carry camera equipment everywhere I go and shoot as much as possible many of those memories would now be lost.

I agree that some of the people who are frequently in front of icons shooting selfies are missing out on the moment while they are trying to document it. However, generally it is possible to shoot something and still remain in the moment.

I for one am not buying the premise of the article, but that isn't worth being disagreeable about. The video on the other hand has plenty of reasons to sound off about it.

I haven't seen the movie, but if it's all like the video clip, then no thank you. I'm not interested.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

(1) Don't much care for Sean Penn - I think his brain is on permanent vacation - somewhere on mars
(2) Thats what I said
(3) See #1
(4) I understand the OP point - vacations should be that - of course I find it relaxing to have my finger on the shutter button - but then, that's not what I do for a living.
Some say you shouldn't mix business with pleasure - but if your work is your avocation, they you're truly blessed.