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Have you seen Ken Dodd live?

Do you take your DSLR on vacations with you? Thats where you will find the interesting shots.?

  • I see a lot of people having a compact camera for vacations and a DSLR for other stuff but why? I understand if the guy is a wedding shooter and he really isn't so much into going and getting beautiful shots outside of the the church but what about the photographers who want to get shots like these http://flickriver.com/search/5d/interesting/ Correct me if I am wrong but isn't a vacation really the closest place you would ever get to a place like that? These are just examples but I mean for even street photography and portraits. A guy who lives near New York is usually going to get better shots than someone living in a normal town. By the way what do we call these kind of photographers who just get these amazing shots? Would you call them a professional also? or enthusiast? Where do they get these shots? Do you think they go on their own to a place specifically for the shots? I was reading an interview and Ken Rockwell never brings his DSLR on vacations with him. (But I never seen any of his photos either) So pretty much where and how do they get these shots? I know someone is going to say to make the best of the location you have but then these people must live near the most beautiful places on earth.

  • Answer:

    I doubt any of those photos were taken on someone's vacation. When I go on vacation, I hardly ever bring my camera with me. I only bring my DSLR's with me when I am working. For instance, I spend two months photographing in Asia, but I was there to work, not go on vacation. I spend another 2 or 3 months travelling around the country every year photographing. But when my wife and I go on a cruise later this year, that will just be for vacation. The only camera I am likely to bring is the one on my phone, and that will probably be turned off the entire time. To get great photos, you have to put a lot of time, effort, and planning into it. It means getting up at the *** crack of dawn and getting in late at night. It means spending the day time when the light is crummy driving around, scouting, and taking notes. That is work, that is not vacation. Edit I'm not suggesting that everyone leave their camera at home. I am just saying from the standpoint of someone who makes a substantial portion of my living from travel photography I consider photo trips separate from vacation. If you have a full time job and only get a few weeks of vacation each year then by all means bring your camera. I already travel with my camera for months every year for work. I don't want to work on my vacations too.

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My dSLR goes everywhere with me. When on vacation I carry a super wide angle lens like the 12-24 mm and a 24-70 mm or 24-85 mm lens. Those two lens combinations can capture about 99% of the shots I wish to shoot. How well your shots turn out has all to do with how well you know your camera and your compositional skills, NOT the camera you use

fhotoace

My kit goes with me pretty much wherever I go. I gave away my Coolpix when I upgraded, but I do see the value in taking a point-and-shoot model along for vacations. The main benefit is that a point-and-shoot is way, way more compact than a DSLR and thus takes up significantly less space in the luggage. They don't offer all the features DSLR's do, but they are ideal for catching spontaneous snapshots. I do see Ken's point in not bringing a DSLR with him on vacations. The whole point of a vacation is "getting away from it all," right? It's easier to spend time with the family when you're not focused on taking pictures. I have to disagree with the example you gave, though. A guy who lives in New York isn't guaranteed to get better shots than a person living in a small town. I happen to live in a small(ish) town, and there are always free cultural events taking place at the town square. We have art festivals, farmer's markets, car shows, and even beer and wine tastings here. I can walk downtown pretty much any weekend when the weather's nice and find local buskers sitting on the courthouse steps, or watch the local art majors staging improvised skits in outrageous costumes. Sometimes I take my daughter to the park and we see the local tightrope walkers practicing on lines strung between the trees. And the best part is that we don't have to battle massive crowds to enjoy these things! The key to getting the great shots is really all in your perspective. If you think your surroundings are boring, then your photos will reflect that. I tend to go out with the intent of discovering something new or different when I head out these days. I'm not opposed to taking road trips to find that something, but when I take a vacation I'd much rather spend the time with my family than my camera. ;)

Miyuki

I second the vote for Ken Rockwell being an idiot... Who made him the photography messiah anyway? <shakes head> I went to Montreal with 2 DSLRs and a set of lenses and 2 flashguns and came back with some lovely grabshots... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0pBlvSWMQ0 I knew that there would be some excellent opportunities for interesting shots... I wasn't wrong. If you think that there are likely to be opportunities where you are going, then why shouldn't you take the camera that's up to the job and one that you are comfortable with. If you are worried about weight, fill jacket pockets with lenses and sling the camera over your arm. It's classed as carry on luggage then. It's surprising though just what kind of shots can be taken in a normal small town ... There are a plethora of opportunities... What is needed by the photographer is the ability to see these interesting shots and capture them.. that comes with time, practice, effort and looking at other photographers' work. Sure, the camera plays an important part in the process, but it's down to you to know where to point it... The most expensive camera is useless if pointed in the wrong direction! EDIT We've obviously got a Ken Rockwell lover in our midst... He's a bloody joke.. Self proclaimed God of photography - Wake up and smell the roses people!

bluespeedbird

Ken Rockwell is an idiot! Of course my DSLR goes with me on vacation. Only reason I wouldn't take it is if I would be travelling very light. There's some locations take make interesting landscapes easier but those can be found in lots of places. Whenever I go somewhere I scout my immediate surroundings and then get up early to get some good shots in. http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/4838864246 When I'm on a business trip I also get up early enough to walk around and shoot. http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/4200752759/

Jeroen Wijnands

I go on vacation SO I can shoot those types of photos! The shooting opportunities are the reason for any trip for me. Ken Rockwell is a hack, said he was moving to Mexico to escape the CA sales tax laws. Good Riddance! Edit: After reading some of the answers, particularly Tim's, I do see the point. I shoot archaeological subjects as my first choice - which means hauling a ton of gear (40 Kilos per the airport scale) off to distant locations. It ain't a vacation, its friggin' hard work, which does not get easier with time. But since I quit working for others and do only my own photography (problem with photography is the clients, IMO) I have to combine them.

jeannie

when i go away, i take both cameras... DSLR and point and shoot...

Forlorn Hope

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