Sir Motley

I usually read UHH every morning and, for the most part, enjoy the various posts. But this question is probably my most favorite of all. What a great topic! I retired 12 years ago and had no problem filling my calendar with activities I enjoy. But photography wasn't one of them until recently. I am ashamed to say I spend more time browsing Amazon for gear than actually taking pictures. But the posts on this topic have convinced me more than ever that I have to stop buying and start taking more pictures. Promise.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

Since my retirement in 2006 I have taken photography classes, taken many workshops, entered many competitions and have traveled with my camera's. It has been very enjoyable and not at all boring. You will enjoy it believe me.

Jack

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Great discussion question. I retired in 2004. At that time I was using a point-and-shoot that I used mostly for travel pictures and pictures of gatherings of friends. Within a couple of years I found my stride in retirement. When I first retired I bought a Vespa to get around. But that was not enough so I bought a motorcycle and have been hitting the road ever since. That is what really jumpstarted my renewed interest in photography. Many of my friends were interested in my motorcycle trips so I started doing stories and pictures about my trips. Now I have several hundred people following my demented trips. Every trip I learned more about photography (and about writing for fun rather than formally). I started into camera/equipment creep (referred to as "GAS attacks" on this forum). Finally I moved up to a DSLR and Lightroom/Photoshop and I've continued to improve both through classes, listening and arguing with the folks here on UHH and by taking lots and lots of pictures. I also upgraded my computer to be able to handle the pictures I take and those I save off the internet and from scanning old pictures. I have been lucky enough to be able to travel all over North America on my motorcycle and all over the world with my wife.

BUT I do not think that is the defining point of my photography--you can take great pictures anywhere and find satisfaction. I know that sounds cliche but it's true--many of my best pictures are from just messing around in my yard, at local sites or at the Zoo which is in walking distance. Everyone has places to go that are close to home where you can get new perspectives on what you like to shoot. Also, you may find your own style and interests and can pursue them wherever you are. For instance, I like subject photography (people everywhere, animals large and small and in action and landscape features rather than more classic landscapes). That works for me. I suggest you just start shooting and see what you like. Take some online or local classes and try to refine that. Your equipment choices will follow naturally.

Hope you have a great retirement.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Retirement affords you more time to pursue whatever catches your fancy. No responsibilities or schedules to get in the way. The downside is the reduced income.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Retired 2012. Lived on BMW mc for 22 months with tent, camera, laptop. Met my g/f in 2014 and moved to processing, touring in cage for photos and food. Studied and keep refreshing photoshop skills. Taking on .more shooting projects. Events like rodeo, racing, lighthouses, stock photography. Haven't chanced camera but upgrading gadgets periodically. Part of every day is photography.

jmvaugh Loc: Albuquerque

Congratulations on you retirement! Retired 6 months ago after 40 years of full time work and 36 years at the same company. I'm taking some online classes and got to upgrade my camera. Bought several photography books and dedicate an hour a day reading about photography and maybe an hour a day reading UHH. We've had some things come up that are postponing our travel plans, so I'm photographing sunrises, sunsets, roses, crepe myrtle, humming birds, and our rescue dog to learn my camera thoroughly. I'm using my camera everyday, even if it's just going through the menus or trying back button focus.

I love looking at new cameras, lenses, and all the equipment that magically embeds itself in between UHH posts but am successfully postponing any further purchases until I really know what I need to take my photography further.

I still get up fairly early - 5:30 to 6a but it's better than 3:30a trying to work out and get the chores done before driving to work. UGGGGGGHHHH, so thankful that's over. It's so good to stop the constant "pursuit of happiness" and just be happy. 😁

Pine Warbler

One of my first goals when I retired from teaching science last year was to organize my pictures. I had been a Lightroom user for a number of years, but needed to increase my working knowledge, so I was able to combine LR and my goal of organizing. I spent many winter days looking though 12 years of digital photos...what joy! I savored seeing "old friends"...favorite photos that I loved that had been forgotten in the midst of all my photos.
One of the reasons I take photos is to capture the moment...a dew-dropped spider web, a bumble bee on my galliarda, a yellow-rumped warbler singing in the tree...not to mention pictures of my children and grandchildren.
I had been taking photos of a specific location for years...at the very same spot...so had finally had time to create a wonderful slideshow showing those changes over the years showing the color changes as well as the rise and fall of the small creek. I picked 8 of the best, and printed them, so now have them on display.
I also had been taking lots of "Birds & Blooms", "Butterflies & Blossoms", "Insects, Spiders & Flowers" for years. I found all of them, so sorted them (easily within LR) and made some Shutterfly Books.
Found some favorite Bird photos, and chose to create a display using 4"x4" wood tiles from Shutterfly.
Made 2 books covering our trip to Ireland and Nantucket...so want to go back and make books out of some of our other trips.
I also have the time to identify my many insect, butterfly, wild flower pictures to build a base that satisfies my scientific citizen side. I have contributed photos to different sights that help record these organisms.

I did get a new camera, so am now adding new photos to my collections. I know I may run out of wall space and cover my coffee table, but I know I will keep taking photos.

allanj Loc: New York City

Congratulations on retirement. I started phasing down my workload in 2011, and am now almost completely retired. As for photography, I hit a dead spot in 2013; I was coasting and not really enjoying it. A couple of classes turbo-charged me, and now I love it more than ever. I think I just needed a push to motivate me to learn new skills and start noticing all the nearby sites that might provide some good pictures. I also have had the good fortune of always liking macro. My one major purchase since 2011 has been the Canon 100mm L macro, replacing the Tamron 90mm that I had been using. Once one starts looking for tiny things or magnifications of portions of everyday items, ideas for promising pictures abound. Many of the ideas turn out not to be so good, but it's still a lot of fun.

Allan

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

If you like looking at your old photos, as I do, you can set the screensaver on the pc to randomly cycle through your photo files. My wife and I both have laptops sitting around with our photos cycling through. Might be one of me as a child, then one of my kids and followed by a shot of our dog from yesterday. The randomness of it is wonderful.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

I retired in April of this year as I got tired of the BS from my supervisor otherwise I would have kept working for a couple of more years. Retirement has put a damper on my G.A.S. But I still have dreams of owning the latest greatest equipment. Now that the D850 is soon to be released, I have been drooling. The reality is that my health is the best that it will ever be and it is starting the gradual (I hope) descent. So now I am looking at downsizing from my D5500 to a 1 inch sensor camera like the Canon G7X Mark 2. I have taken photos for as long as I remember and it seems to come natural to me in terms of composition etc. In May, I went on a cruise to Alaska and took 3 cameras and used them all and got some great photos (IMHO). I did a trip to CA in July and took more photos. I leave a camera on the dining room table by my patio door so I can take photos of the birds (Quail, Hummers, and Hawks). It hurts my arm to hold the camera for a long time...unfortunately its my right arm and I think the manufacturers have made the camera's for the right handed person (incidently, I am left handed). So long story short, they will have to pry my camera from my cold dead hands.

AlaskaTom08 Loc: Fairbanks, Alaska

This is without a doubt, one of the best posts I've seen on UHH. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement plans! I retired on my 69th birthday, in July of this year, and have loved every minute of the free time and lack of schedule. I still wake up early every day, but every day is mine! My wife and I and our pets live in Alaska, so there's no lack of subjects to photograph. GAS is definitely something to contend with, but I think all my Nikon gear, lenses and other stuff will last me forever! I especially enjoy shooting wildlife, landscapes, family, sporting events, aurora (from my front yard, now that darkness is beginning to return!), sled dog racing, the changing seasons, migratory birds, etc. The possibilities are endless, and my camera(s) go with me everywhere!

TN. Photo taker

What a great topic!!! Thanks for the chance to reply. I also am retired for about two years now. It seems all the comments I also experienced, medical issues which slowed my photo taking, buying stuff, realizing it is me not the equipment. My advise, just take pictures! We just traveled to Europe and everyday I enjoy looking at all my pictures. Ireland next then Iceland then Holland etc etc! Enjoy and may you have a long and healthy retirement!!

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

I retired 14 yrs go, I am limited only by my physical health and imagination. travel is nice but, check out your local surroundings first.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

The surprising thing I found about retirement is that I take a lot fewer photos now! I always bring my camera with me when I go out. I'm a retired pastor and would call on parishoners, make hospital calls 3 to 4 days a week. There were always photo opportunities out there. I don't drive as much as I used to (about 400 miles a week back in the day!), consequently, I don't take as many photos as I used to.

bbportraits

I had a full-time career in the computer business but photography was always a serious hobby. I started using Canon 35mm gear around 1970 and had a great time with it and learned a great deal. At one point, about 25 years ago when living in Washington, DC, I decided to get more serious about it and bought a used Mamiya 6x7 outfit. I then enrolled in a professional photography school and attended classes at night and, when I finished, I was asked if I would be interested in teaching there. Of course I accepted and then conducted numerous classes and forums. At this point I was photographing landscapes and things - not people. I was a bit reserved about working with people and getting them to pose, etc.

While there I met several full-time practicing pros and began assisting them with weddings and portraits. That's when the real learning began! At this point I invested extensively in Hasselblad 6x6 gear and used it primarily for wedding business, portraits and photographing functions. To make a long story short, I continued in my computer career with photography as an avocation until I finally moved to Colorado in 2002. There I finally established my photography business in addition to working in computers, but soon moved into photography as a full-time second career. I worked in weddings, family portraiture and eventually added real estate photography. I also invested in a Canon 10D digital camera to begin learning about digital photography, and in 2005 I sold all of my medium format gear and bought a Canon iDs Mk II, the first full-frame digital camera that Canon produced. I still have it and it worked just fine for me all these years.

We moved again in 2014 to Prescott, AZ and here I finally, after 12 years in the photography business in Colorado, really retired at 72. I'm volunteering once a week at the local museum and that's about it for any outside activities. I find I'm enjoying the time for myself and my wife. We do a bit of traveling and visit back east with our grandchildren, and my wife is involved with the local artists guild (she makes jewelry) and sells various craft shows in the area. I help with the logistics of these shows but am not otherwise involved with her business. I'm enjoying new interests in history of the SW part of our country and reading for pure enjoyment.

Sadly, I really don't miss working in either photography or computers but I have plenty of other interests to provide enjoyment and texture to my retirement life. I am doing some work photographing jewelry for eventual sale online but we haven't gotten there yet. I do still have the websites I created for my business interests in photography at bobblochphotography.com that has a link to my portraiture website as well.

So, you see, I'm enjoying my retirement but will never be completely out of photography, and I have plenty of other interests to keep me as active and engaged as I want to be.