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I have a camera that fits in my purse and literally goes everywhere with me. To me, it is as important as carrying a wallet. If it's not on my person, I just feel all kinds of weird. There have been so many moments that I have been so incredibly grateful I had "my pocket camera" (as I call it) on me. And there have been moments in the past where I have panicked and realized I left it on my kitchen table at home only for a moment to fly by never to be captured. When that happens it totally bums me out. Although I typically don't share the frames I take from my pocket camera on this blog, I feel really passionately about photographers carrying a camera with them, in this post I want to speak to that. I figure what a better way than with a few frames from some of the recent rolls I just got back from the lab from the camera that goes everywhere with me.
My pocket camera is a 35mm rangefinder camera that I shoot almost exclusively in black and white film. This is just a personal preference for me since so much of my work is in color and color is my natural preference. Shooting in black and white is just one way I can differentiate my every day life photographs from my other work. It forces me to see things with different eyes. In our waking life we see things in color which is why I think black and white photos have a way of transcending us to a different time and place. Now I'm on a tangent... let me get back on track... ahem.
I believe there are a few things to look for in a good pocket camera:
1) Light and easy to pop in a small purse or murse (man purse for you men out there reading).
Well duh. you want this to be something you WANT to carry with you, not a camera you make excuses not to carry out. ie a Contax 645 would NOT be a good option here. LIGHT & EASY are key.
2) A camera that challenges you in some way.
This can mean a variety of things. Maybe you are used to shooting digital, you may want to shoot film for your pocket camera. Or like me, maybe you are typically drawn to color images.. challenge yourself to just shoot in black and white or visa versa. Or pick up a toy camera that leaks light & surprise yourself. There are a TON of ways you can challenge yourself with your pocket cam.
3) Choose a camera that is non-discript & doesn't draw attention.
This one is important because if you want to ask a stranger on the street if you can take his/her photo it is a lot easier to do with a camera that doesn't scare the hell out of them :) You would be amazed at how many people turn me down for a portrait when I'm doing street photography with my Contax 645 or Canon 5DmkII... but with my Leica I don't believe I've ever been turned down by a stranger for a portrait... most are more curious about it than anything. The key here is to chose a camera that doesn't intimidate. A couple that I have used that are pretty unassuming and good: Yashika T4, Fuji x100,
4) Use it!
It's really easy to get shy about taking photos in a public place, or shooting strangers or even friends, but remember, everything gets easier with practice. My personal photographs of my everyday life inspire me on a daily basis. I hope this little tid-bit inspires some of you to pop a small camera in your bag next time you go out with friends or go on a walk... I think you may surprise yourself.
Thoughts
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I love your idea, impressive for me
so honest. so pure. love this idea. you truly know what you are and I love that. you are not afraid to share. that is so honorable. you continually expose yourself and your craft. thank you for that.
/fa
If you came out with a photo book, I'd buy it.
I love your creative eye. You are amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Great collection here!!
very cool stuff guys!!!! OK, you may have already seen this but... if you are scrolling sideways past the chair shot and back and forth - the chairs move! Or maybe its just me that can see it! lol
I just visited seattle for the first time a few weeks ago (love it!!) and took my (big 5dmarkii) everywhere and snapped away. I recognize so many locations in your images because I took similar shots while in seattle! It's fun to know where you were for the shots because the sounds and smells and the feeling of the crowds come back to me when I look at your images. So fun. I think I'm going to put your shots next to my shots just to see how we look at the world similarly/differently. Anyhow, thanks for the inspiration to carry a pocket camera! I carry a small digital one that I don't enjoy taking pictures with but I think if I heeded your advice and carried one that challenged me in a good way I would use it more often! Thanks :)
As always....GORGEOUS stuff lady! I'm all kinds of inspired after this post!
you are amazing
couldn't agree more. i carry a t3, just a great way to capture life.
love this set of pics guys.
love this set of pics guys.
you're amazing.
I try to carry a small pocket sketchbook in my pocket, especially when working on a large project. I like to call it my "inspiration lightning rod" You never know when inspiration might strike so it is best to be prepared to capture those moments.
Augggh. The intensity of the inspiration is incredible. The hill with the kite? Breath taking.
Augggh. The intensity of the inspiration is incredible. The hill with the kite? Breath taking.
I spy a toy poodle! :)
Love these. I keep coming back to the hill with the silhouettes and kites. Beautiful.
Enjoyed this post! Great photos!
I get your updates in my RSS feed reader, but I love coming to your site to see your posts because of how they're laid out horizontally...
Anyway, this post is so inspiring me to load a roll of b/w in my film camera (vintage Canon FT QL) to have on my person at all times. I get scared with film because it's expensive to develop, but it's worth it if you stop and capture things that really matter. Which you do!
I get your updates in my RSS feed reader, but I love coming to your site to see your posts because of how they're laid out horizontally...
Anyway, this post is so inspiring me to load a roll of b/w in my film camera (vintage Canon FT QL) to have on my person at all times. I get scared with film because it's expensive to develop, but it's worth it if you stop and capture things that really matter. Which you do!
Thanks so much for the inspiration! Can't wait to see what I come up with...
So beautiful! I've been wanting to find some batteries for my old gear and bust out some film. Thanks for the inspiration.
Those are beautiful. Thanks for sharing a peek into your everyday life.
beautiful work! definitely added the pocket camera on the "to get" list, haha
Not only are these images amazing, but oh so cool. Now, to find me my own pocket camera since my iPhone just isn't doing it for me anymore!
Nice daily life shots!
Inspiring; this is a great post.
Inspiring; this is a great post.
These are amazing! I agree about bringing a camera everywhere - never leave without one!
These are amazing! I agree about bringing a camera everywhere - never leave without one!
This is all well and good, but the real question is how to fashionably rock the man purse and / or Batman-style tool belt.
Chris' hands and the wine glasses is incredible. Incredible.
Beautiful, as always!
(Geez, sorry about that barrage of duplicate comments. My internet is wonky tonight.)
I love everything about this post. So cool to see what catches your eye when you're out and about! Thanks for always being so inspired and inspiring.
great insight into your creative self, both the description and the pictures! do you develop your own film? or send/take it to whom/where?
I love everything about this post. So cool to see what catches your eye when you're out and about! Thanks for always being so inspired and inspiring.
I love everything about this post. So cool to see what catches your eye when you're out and about! Thanks for always being so inspired and inspiring.
Thanks for the encouragement! My M6 has been sitting and collecting dust for years!
So great. I haven't taken my camera out so much or had time to blog and this is my motivation to go out and do more of that. You're so awesome sarah!
such a good challenge. and such a good idea. i love this, so much easier to catch things rather than w a mkII. i love love this and what'd it mean for catching everyday things. I'm on it!
so nice to know that you always carry a camera with you even after all these years of professional photography.
it warms my heart. This is so inspiring.
You are such an inspiring artist. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to carry that camera on me. Batteries are going on the charger NOW! :)
You are such an inspiring artist. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to carry that camera on me. Batteries are going on the charger NOW! :)
these are awesome sarah! thanks for sharing them.
love post. love pics x.
love post. love pics x.
These are my new favorites! So personal and raw and just beautiful. Thanks for sharing!