civilized ku # 287 ~ small is beautiful
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 10:31AM 
Simple Teasures Thrift Shop window ~ Au Sable Forks, NY • click to embiggenI'm curious - does the camera that you currently use determine when and/or how you make pictures?
In the case of DSLRs, does size / bulk with your usual lens of choice, discourage picture making under some circumstances. Is it too cumbersome to have with you at all times?
Would a smaller camera encourage more picture making?
I am not particularly adversely dis-inclined to take both of my DSLRs just about everywhere I go but there are times when it is a bit awkward. As an example, when dining in a "fine" restaurant, there is often very little space on the table for even a single DSLR, much less 2. This situation mandates the use of a stand (for the wine bucket) which some restaurants don't have and 2 obviously very expense cameras on the table tends to make a server very nervous.
For me, a smaller camera would not encourage more picture making in as much as I already make pictures everywhere I go, but .... a smaller camera would most definitely be less socially awkward in many situations.
Reader Comments (8)
I went to a retirement party the other night and didn't want to bring the D90 so I took my Nikon P50 P&S. I usually use the camera for digiscoping and keep it in the car for quick outside shots. Yes it is nice and small to carry but I was very disappointed with the results of using it indoors.
I have a nuts and bolts question: how do you carry your equipment?
As a rule, I don't carry all the time so to speak; but if I did, I would want to work out a method at least for when the DSLR was in the car. And further I'm not sure I want to spend on another camera at the moment.
Most of my picturing is associated with driving and the road. I toss my tripod in the back of my CRV and my camera goes in a smallish plastic cooler with some other camera stuff in it is also in the back. I have thought about getting a pocket camera of some kind, not for picture making, but for collecting visual reference material for designing and lettering. I haven't had much interest in making other kinds of photos.
In a word, yes. The camera I'm using does affect what I shoot. But a lot of it is simply that offered a moderate selection of cameras (two digitals and a number of film bodies) I select the camera based on what I'm planning on shooting.
A lot of it is obtrusiveness though. I shoot a lot more street with my Panasonic G1 or Bessa R than I do with my Mamiya 645, which has been known to scare people when the shutter is fired (A 645 SLR with a winder is LOUD). Some is simple size, if the intent of the excursion is not photography I'd much rather be hauling around a G1 or film RF than a much larger SLR.
The smaller the better IMHO. I only use the Panasonic GF1 now. It's not perfect, but beats the bulk an weight of all my other camera systems.I wouldn't mind using a decent phone camera if there were one.
Why can't you just keep the cameras in a bag on the floor Mark? Is it just too much of a hassle to pull them out when inspiration strikes? Or do just shoot like you breathe? Constantly and naturally?
I wonder, does the wife ever get tired of the constant camera?
As a hobby photography I require reasonable to good image quality, but it doesn't need to be first class. My subjects include landscape (vista and small-scale), street, architecture, people (posed) and "notes".
In 2007 I decided to get back into photography after a 10 year lapse (from SLR) and went compact digital. The convienence of a camera that is both compact and digital drove the decision.
My Canon SD880 does a good job for the subjects I'm interested in and the presentation methods I use (mainly screen-based, but I've made a few prints up to 21" x 28").
Previously with my SLR I photographed a few weddings for family and friends. I dare say, if asked, I'd photograph a "casual" outdoors wedding with a P&S but not a "full on" formal wedding. I imagine people would be concerned if the wedding photographer turned up with a P&S! Sometimes you need a big camera, flash and tripod to look the part, let alone do the job.
Mary:
I don't get tired of the constant camera, in part because I have a very strict "I am not a photo assistant" policy. Rarely will I touch any of the gear, because if i do, I will soon be carrying a spare camera or tripod 9(or both) all the time.
Last night, i made an exception to this rule, since Gravitas was taking photos i wanted.
Plus, as Gravitas noted, there are so many other things he does on a regular basis for me to be bothered by.