Any reason to bring a camera?
 

Is it foolish never to bring a camera when travelling? Would my travels be more relaxed and filled with more experiences if I had one? Is it silly to claim that there are so many high-quality cards and prefabricated videos to shop out there that your own never can compete? Or will a vacation behind a camera lens add value to my travels? <BR>B

B, <BR> <BR>For years I carried a ton of camera <BR>equipment on trips. Not any more. I <BR>now tote a Kodak throw-away or two. <BR>They're cheap (at Wal-Mart especially), <BR>and perfectly adequate. <BR> <BR>Gerry K <BR>

Good question. Presume you're not speaking of trips with the kids where most everyone would want a camera. <BR> <BR>For just the two of us traveling, though, given the quality of my photos, I often wonder why I bother. Postcards, slide collections, books sold on street corners ... all provide far better pictures than I can produce. <BR> <BR>Still, there is that odd moment when the neighborhood urchins are splashing in the fountain with the light just so, or that special moment with the rising sun shining splendidly on St. Peter's. <BR> <BR>I think most of us would not really miss a thing if we took no camera at all ... though I still take a decent 35mm with a good zoom and try to have it with me always ... for just "that" moment.

We take a small Elph camera with us - we like to put sort of a collage of each trip on our wall. <BR> <BR>However, we have one rule - the picture's not worth taking unless one of us are in it. I never understand those people who take lots of pictures of the sea or a building, but don't ask their wife to get in the picture. If you're going to do that, you should just buy a postcard.

B, I always take a camera. When we return from our trips, I put the best of the photographs in a photo album in a chronological order. When we go with others, maybe my wife's parents or my brother-in-law for example, I make up identical albums for them, also, as a keepsake. <BR> <BR>I either take our Olympus 35-70mm auto zoom or the OM-B semi auto camera with three lenses, a wide angle 28mm, a 52mm and a 70-210mm lense. I'm not a great photographer by any means, but those albums can be enjoyed over and over again. <BR> <BR>Sometimes I luck out and get a shot worth enlarging. We have one of the (reputed) oldest house in Rothenburg, a Paris flower shop and another of a muralled home in Oberammergau. <BR> <BR>I pack everything in a fairly small bag and just take it with us. I'm so used to it, I almost don't know that I have it. Everyone is different, but I actually enjoy taking those pictures. <BR> <BR>I think that the bigger camera is going with us to Amsterdam in May as I didn't get the shots that I wanted with the little automatic last November in Prague and now regret it. I may never get back...

There is no right or wrong answer to your question. It's really a personal thing. For me, the many photographs I take (and I do take a lot) are an integral part of MY experience. Each time I look at the photographs, even years later, they still bring back vivid memories of a trip. I'm not saying everyone should do it, but for me, it greatly enhances and prolongs the memories of each trip.

When I said I never brought any camera, it is'nt quite true. But the few times I did (way back in silurian ages), I got so upset to shoot all the right things at the right moments. <BR>Became a squarehead, literally, all the time busy with evaluating wether things and everything would fit into my 24 times 36 mm frames in order to bring me nice memories. <BR>Nowadays, without the camera, I fell able to absorb and thus more able to recall and to tell folks at home. <BR>And I never have to let the group wait for me while on sightseeing. <BR>I even happpen to get aquainted with the "locals", and my handwritten postcards, carefully selected and forwarded to my home address give perfect travel descriptions..... <BR>B

I have always believed that "the best pictures are always just the ones in your head". <BR> <BR>Even so, on my last trip, of 7 people, one had a video camera (which he used rather well), and the other five had their own cameras. so I never took a single picture - - I figured - - well, this is "their" trip more than mine, and I'll get doubles of any of theirs that I want. <BR> <BR>And we have never gotten around to it. It's not like I haven't seen them since - - we just keep saying, yeah, we'll sit down and look at pictures together some time. I don't have a single picture from that trip, and I kinda regret it. And since I don't have any to contribute to this swapfest, I will never pester them about it. <BR> <BR>I won't make this mistake again. <BR> <BR>

To let you know where I am coming from -I always take a camera (actually at least two), even on business trips. Even on the business trips, I manage to squeeze out 4-5 rolls during the early morning and early evening hours, when the light is best anyway. As Howard said, it is a very personal decision. Sometimes, I don't take the camera and just enjoy myself. Sometimes, I will admit I can get frustrated if I visit a place at a time when the light just isn't quite right for good photos. That is when I am most likely to buy a postcard. I can provide at least five good reasons to get into the photography part of a trip: (1) a postcard can never capture what was happening at the moment you were there, (2) a postcard will never have you in it, (3) taking photos and looking for photo opportunities helps you see everything in a whole new way - you notice the quality of light and subtleties that you might otherwise overlook, (4) most postcards fail to capture a place the way you see it, and (5) how much fun is it to pass on your postcards to future generations? <BR> <BR>I usually buy several postcards from every place I visit, but now it is mostly either because it was too much trouble to take a photo (e.g., museums or at night when I would rather leave the tripod at the hotel) or just to add to my collection. Most postcards just show the main sights and don't move me the way a non-postcard shot can. Now, a good photo book on the location comes closer to accomplishing that.

On my last trip, I hardly took any pictures. Less than 2 rolls spread out over two weeks. <BR> <BR>Other than pics of the kids, I have imposed a moratorium on more pictures until we organize the pictures we have. They are positively everywhere -- in every drawer, spilling out of cabinets, in boxes. We recently had a basement flood, and I discovered soaked pics I didn't know I had. <BR> <BR>So no pictures of pretty churches in Europe until I get control of the pics that already fill the house.

I agree totally with Howard. On a glum cloudy day I'll pull out an album of a trip to Hawaii or Mexico and see the sunshine. Also often relive our trips to Europe through our albums. I buy postcards for places that don't allow photography, but other than that even though it is sometimes distracting to use a camera I won't give it up for the above-stated reasons. <BR> <BR>I had a similar experience to Rex's, ending up with no photos of a trip and won't risk it again. Many friends end up with boxes of photos and always give me a hard time because I arrange my albums as soon as possible after we return home. <BR> <BR>It is a subjective thing, but I have my film and extra batteries ready for our trip to France next month. <BR> <BR>Joanne

Camera equipment is a drag - but I wouldn't do without my own photographic interpretation of my vacation. I have a great photo of Tuileries - B&W in winter, three trees, bare of leaves. In the foggy distance, the Eiffel Tower is barely visible. I have a wonderful color photo of an elderly couple shopping at a vegetable market in Luxembourg. Some great shots of the bird seed at the Sunday market in Paris, and a delightful one of a friend drinking hot chocolate in Brussells. I enlarge these, frame and hang. Or give them as gifts, although it's difficult now without access to a darkroom. Virtually nothing goes in albums, although I have good intentions, because I can't take a quick tourist-type snapshot worth diddly. If I don't plan on taking these "art" photos, I carry a point and shoot, develop the pictures, throw most away, and wonder why I bothered.

I've traveled both ways. More recently, I tend toward a decent quality 35mm of the compact variety. There are cameras today with which nearly anyone can shoot excellent photos available for well under $200. When I used to do some freelance articles for magazines, I had to bring a little more firepower. Now, it feels too much like a "job" to carry all that stuff around. I gravitate more toward trying for decently composed pictures with good quality rather than trying get something I can sell to an editor. It takes a lot of the pressure off and saves a lot of film. By far my best photos were taken when traveling alone and I could really focus on what I was doing (no pun intended). And no, I do NOT insist on having a member of my traveling party in most pictures. That is simply not what my pictures are about, although that is fine for others who choose that type of character to their photos. Post cards could not provide the same thing for me as pictures that I have taken myself.

<BR>Definitely do not bring a camera, not even a disposable. Just keep a journal and buy postcards- but no more than one per city. On second thought, nix the journal, too much interference with your experience. The postcards will guarantee that the memories of your trip will be identical to everyone else's. You most certainly don't want low-quality personal photographs interfering with your "experience." Nor do you need to "prove" to anyone that you were in Europe. <BR> <BR>In fact, don't even take a suitcase, just the clothes on your back and an ATM card, as this will maximize the relaxed nature of your experience. If you really want to be relaxed, don't read any guide books or make any plans whatsoever prior to your departure. Just wing it like the Europeans (never mind that they come loaded with film and guidebooks when the visit the US - don't let that distract you). The only thing that you need to decide is which airport. Nothing else matters. <BR> <BR>Twenty years from now, you will be thrilled that you didn't take a camera.

I often see a view which I would like to capture, not generally something available on postcard, but I am often disappointed with the photograph. So recently I have taken up painting. I do not feel I want to waste holiday time painting on the spot, so I take the photo - it only needs to be a quick snap - and "improve" on it at home. It has become a very rewarding pastime - I can re-live my holidays for hours on end. I'm working my way through our Mexico holiday at the moment

To: Dan Woodlief <BR>Thank you for putting into words, so much better than I did earlier in this thread, how I feel as a photographer while traveling and what the taking of photographs and their later viewing means. <BR>TO: Jim Rosenberg <BR>Thanks to you, too, for also conveying the "why" of photography while traveling....and also for pointing out that you don't need expensive equipment to take good pictures--a $200-$250 camera with a zoom lens and a somewhat creative mind can do the job! <BR>To: Cindy <BR>The obvious secret is to put the pictures in an album right away, while the memories are fresh, and avoid amassing a big pile!

To me, not taking a camera would be sacrilegious. Travel is definitely an obsession for me, and I relive my trip through my photos after I return by arranging them in a nice photo album. On my last five-day trip to London, I used about two rolls of film a day. <BR> I don't haul a tripod or a huge camera with me to Europe, just my regular point and shoot camera. I think my camera is an Olympus Stylus. It's small and the photos are of very good quality. <BR> If I'm in a nice setting, I will take a photo with me or my travel companion(s) in the photo. But not all the time. Someone earlier said that they have a rule about always having someone in their photos. This is where people differ in their tastes. I really love photos of European buildings, streets, etc. These photos give me the atmosphere of Europe. I love architecture, so I love looking at photos of buildings. I also take photos in museums (if it's allowed, usually without flash), of art that is beautiful--just to remember it and to remember what pieces I really enjoyed seeing in the museum. I think it would be really strange to see a beautiful, heart-wrenching sculpture, like Michelangelo's Slave in The Louvre and get in the photo with it. I know I was there, that's not the reason I take photos. It's more to recapture the feelings I had when first seeing this object which brought me to want to take it with me through a photograph. <BR> I'm not a big shopper, so photographs are my souvenirs.

Photo taking should enhance the trip, not detract from it. If you spend your entire trip looking at the world through the view finder, you need to rethink. If you depend upon purchased postcards and videos to relive your trip, you need to rethink. I have two beautiful books of the interior of Versailles; I also have a photo I took of two workmen, in those ubiquitous denim jackets and caps, repairing some of the detail around an interior window. I wouldn't have missed that photo op for the world. <BR> <BR>On our last trip, a new member joined us. She's a professional photographer...and brought a point and shoot digital camera. We watched her work - her talent was recognizing a photo op, not necessarily the best angle, not walking around with the camera up to her face.

You are so right, Elvira. The key is not to see the world through the lens, but to see the world as a photographer sees it (or a painter). Until I took up photography seriously, I never completely noticed the play of shadows, the golden light of a clear morning, the beauty of fog, the patterns and shapes that are all around us. I have learned to recognize when to pull the camera out to take a photo, and for a photographer there is something magical, almost sensual, about the moment that perfect shot comes into focus in the viewfinder and you hear the click of your shutter, knowing that you captured that moment forever.

As many others here have said, a camera is worth taking, even if it's small or you use disposables. I used to lug an old, heavy, manual 35mm with me, with different lenses and filters, etc. Back problems have proscribed that now, so I use a little Olympus Stylus that fits in my jacket's breast pocket and never gets in my way. I don't get the more personalized photos I used to, as there's only so much you can do with an automatic camera, but I've gotten some nice results, and the freedom of a little camera is terrific. Postcards make good supplements in a photo album later; but I've never seen a postcard of a holy well in Ireland or little boys chasing peacocks in a park in Cascais, or many other people/places sights that have struck me--and surely there are no postcards of my boyfriend beaming over his java on the terrace of Samaritaine with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. The key is, as elvira said, don't set your vacation behind a camera lens. You're not apt to capture an experience with tons of photos anyways ... often the telling detail says far more or simply a "perceptual moment," perhaps something fleeting captured on film. So I suggest bring a camera, but don't obsess. <BR> <BR>Ann: Great idea!

Yes, I agree with Vanessa: photos really are my souvenirs, too. Even if they are not the only souvenirs, they are always the most important.

This thread is an absolute joy to read. Dan, you once again were able to write the perfect description of that moment of discovery for a photographer. I have often felt while taking a photograph that this is how an artist must feel when he creates on canvas. I cannot draw, but I can photograph. My office walls in my home are filled with these personal photographic memories.

I always take a ton of photos when I travel. I use an "advanced" point-and-shoot with a zoom that gives me enough control without having to lug around a ton of camera equipment. Like others here, I cherish my photos because they document my trip and help me remember details I would have forgotten long ago without them.

My wife is the shutterbug. The good news is camera and computing technology . . . she now has this teeny tiny Sony digital that takes stills and movies - compact and light. Her computer gets a work out for weeks after a trip. <BR> <BR>Our friends appreciate nicely edited 'clips' for 'sharing the experience' - and the photos are great for a collage of emails. <BR> <BR>We revisit the raw film before the 'next' visit. <BR> <BR>One of the most memorable experiences, was digging out several 40+ year old postcards of Barcelona before a trip to Spain (she lived there as a 7 - 8 year old). <BR> <BR>We searched for the same spots to 'replicate' the shots. In Stiges the shot we took was exact - down to the season (shadows) and the clock on the bell tower - exact same time. (All by accident of course). <BR> <BR>We never get tired of revisiting that unique side-by-side shot - and oh what a conversation piece it is. <BR> <BR>Gotta go - Off to the airport for 7 weeks in Italy, Germany, Paris - with our camera -

I'm with Brian - I bring my Elph everywhere. It's small (approx. 4x3 and an inch thick) and can almost fit in your shirt pocket, definitely into your pants pocket, or your purse - takes up less space than my wallet! I can change rolls mid-way, so if I move from bright sunlight to a dark room, I can pop in a different speed film. I'm not a "photographer" by any means, but I love this camera for its size and versatility. I'm not sure if they have b&w film for it, but I assume they do, and I'm going to pick up a few rolls for my upcoming trip.

If you enjoy the process of selecting scenes to photograph and taking the photo, if you enjoy possessing the photographs after your trip and having the option to look at them whenever you want to, then of course you should take a camera, or two, or three, etc. If the nuisance of transporting the camera and the expense of film and developing outweigh your pleasure from taking and having the pictures then of course you should not take a camera. (If not sure, then a lightweight, easy to carry, automatic camera that takes good quality pictures may be a good option.) <BR> <BR>Postcards cannot replace photos. Unless you travel only to major tourist sites, and unless your photos are merely a record of certain fixed scenes, and unless you have exactly the same taste in scenes as the commercial postcard photographer, you will not even find cards of the scenes you're likely to take. <BR> <BR>Both scenes uncluttered by human figures and pictures of the people you know are perfectly wonderful subjects for photos. It is no one else's business if you prefer one or the other or both. <BR> <BR>I always take a camera or two and would miss the opportunity to take pictures if I didn't. However, sometimes I'll take a lighter water-resistant point-and-shoot camera on certain days to avoid the inconvenience of carrying my older, heavier, partly manual, better camera. I enjoy the intense visual concentration of choosing scenes, framing them for the camera, focusing, etc. But I also love seeing many many things that I will never attempt to photograph, even though I will remember them in my own subjective way. I used to take a drawing pad on all my trips, but found that I never wanted to take the time even to sketch. By comparison, photos are so much faster (though not truly a substitute for drawing). Writing a journal is definitely not a substitute for taking pictures. Because I write constantly every day at work (boring stuff), I try to refrain from writing on vacation. (This abstention from writing is a way of switching more fully to right-brain mode.) However, I recently started writing up some vacation observations after my return.

Photography is a hobby for many people. We'll go to the woods where we live and shoot a roll over a couple hours and consider it a fun experience. For such people (myself included), it would be unthinkable not to have a camera or two. (I have an old Olympus SLR and a Stylus Epic - GREAT little shirt pocket camera, but not a zoom.) <BR> <BR>But REAL picture-taking takes time, and your traveling companions may not want to stand around while you set up a shot. I often get up at dawn and take pictures with my SLR while my wife sleeps in... it's a great time of day to take pictures anyway! When we are exploring together, I have my tiny point & shoot and take a few snapshots, handing it off to her when she wants to get some shots. Both kinds of pictures are treasured when we return, and some that I have enlarged and mounted on my wall were taken with the P&S. <BR> <BR>Even if you don't think of photography as "fun", however, I can't see traveling without a shirt-pocket camera. They make some excellent ones these days. The $89 Stylus Epic for simple non-zoom, or one of the Olympus zooms if you want to give up a bit of picture quality in return for flexibility of a zoom. <BR> <BR>For those of you with drawers full of miscellaneous pictures - get the "shoe box" style of photo holders (go to a Target-type store). It'll have dividers that you can label. Then sit down in the evening and sort all your pictures into separate piles on the dining room table, and file them away in the shoe box(es). A lot easier than albums. <BR> <BR>Also - and this is very important - THROW AWAY your mediocre pictures. Save only the good ones. If you took two or more essentially identical shots, save only the best one. It's not a sin to throw away boring pictures!

Sidebar: I use my not-so-hot photos and duplicates for postcards, you know, "send in a postcard with your name and address to win two free tickets to the new Pia Zadora movie". They also make great gift tags. Just pretend you took that blurry photo of a trashcan on purpose.

Thanks for all responses<BR>Next time I'll bring my Canon Ixus and shoot a picture with a time stamp on every 90, 150 or 210 minute, no matter how interesting the motive.<BR>Thus I get a misty and assosiative leading thread to help me refreshing the contents and details of my trip, without being rushed by the camera.<BR>I probably also will reduce card shopping.<BR><BR>B<BR>

Hi Cindy,<BR>I also have a little elph &amp; Kodak does produce a B&amp;W film for APS cameras - I haven't used it yet but am planning on getting some to take for my upcoming trip to France. It should produce some wonderful atmospheric pics of Notre Dame in the misty morning...Mmmmmm, I want to go NOW!!!<BR>Cheers...

Photos are great. It all depends on you. I own a Canon Ixus and an Olympus Super Soom 300. The Elph is about 1/4 the size of the Olympus and since I bought it I keep it loaded with film and it lives in my handbag, beachbag, or where ever I am. As a result I have been fortunate to have taken some great on the spur of the moment photos where I least expe t and with a minimum of equipment or trouble. I have used the bw aps film and it is great. I also have a mini tripod which also travels with me as I have found that sometimes depending on the lighting situation it makes the difference.<BR>Snap away and have fun.!!!!

Hi Mags,<BR>I'm thinking about getting a little tripod myself &amp; was wondering what type you you had - the little table top kind with bendy wire legs or one that folds down to a a manageable size? If the former (this may be a silly question) but what do you balance it on when taking photo outdoors? The reason I ask is I'd like one as small a possible but only if its still functional to travel with. Many thanks...

Just this evening, I came across a picture of Mars hill looking across the valley toward the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Athens. I had stood in that very spot, or five feet to the right in February of 1989--right where the shadow of the photographer was--and actually felt the breeze, heard the sounds and all sorts of memories flooded across my mind. I went upstairs and got my album (with a hammered copper cover of an enameled peacock, that I bought in Glyfada) and once again enjoyed that memorable trip. As someone mentioned here, I would have forgotten many things without these pictures--we were there for five weeks, and with the six or so rolls of pictures I took, I vividly remember what was worth remembering. I have an automatic Cannon Sure-shot with a zoom, so it is quite simple to get very nice photos if you have a good eye.<BR><BR>I took our Sony digital camcorder to France, Italy and Switzerland in April of 1999 and have some very good footage, but still have not edited it to the point of sharing it with others without boring them. It is much easier to weed out lesser photos.<BR>

Always bring a camera. Over the years, I have seen and done things I never would have if it weren't for I wanted that picture. Why else would you climb to the top of the dome at St. Peters for just one small example. I've got many pictures of which I am very proud that you will never find on a postcard, video etc. You never know what unique or special thing will happen right there in front of you. They save my memories of the trip. And when you study your pictures you will often see things that you never saw when you were there in person. I'm there in every picture because I was there at that exact moment in time. A postcard is never the same.

B, For the standard shots, I'd agree that postcards will do and would probably be better, but I'd still bring a camera for those moments that might be special to you but not necessarily 'postcard-worthy'. Also, for the people that you might meet and want to remember on your travels.

I am quite the photo-taking fool on my vacations and am very proud of all my pictures because they are a part of me and my life. I like to have pictures of both just scenery and ones with my friends in them. I really appreciate the ones that I can be in too, with the assistance of a stranger to take the picture. I'm getting more and more comfortable with asking strangers to do this for me. <BR><BR>I actually just ordered a new camera and should get it by UPS either today or on Monday. I hope it comes today!! I am going to Rome in March and have already been thinking about the great photo opportunities I will have. I have read on this forum and in several different travel magazines that having a 28mm wide angle can make a big difference in your pictures. I ordered the new Pentax IQ 120 that has a range of 28-120mm. Has anyone ever ordered by mail from one of the many camera equipment stores in New York City that have pages and pages of advertisement in the back of magazines such as Popular Photography? I called them all and not even half of them sold this camera yet, I think it's too new. But Adorama had it for the best price and was the most helpful with my questions. I think I saved a considerable amount of money, aside from the fact that this model is not available at any of my local stores or even professional camera shops. <BR><BR>I don't understand all the stuff about aperture and f-stops but I am learning a lot about composition and lighting. <BR><BR>Personal photos are priceless to me and I also like to enlarge favorites to frame and display in my home and office. <BR><BR>Sandi

Sandi, I think you can trust Adorama. I have dealt a little with them and a lot with B&H for nearly four years (with absolutely no problems). Camera World of Oregon also has a mostly good rep, but many of the others do not. I had very bad experiences when trying to buy from one or two but luckily realized before ordering that these were true weasels.

I don't think it's foolish to travel the way you want to travel, with or without a camera.

I use a Nikon digital. In 1 or 2 weeks will take 130 pictures or so. Then when I return I download to my computer and us a "slideshow" program which allows us to view the good, the bad, and the ugly in the same order as the trip. It brings back all the good times. Very seldom do I actually print out any pictures.

Now to the next question Video Recorders.Do you bring it or just a still camera. I have been so turned off by people in Disneyworld with the Video Camera on the whole Monorail trip, or for a live show. They aren't even watching the faces of their children as they see Disney for the first time. I've seen people on the ski lifts with video cameras just contantly rolling. For me personally, even with the new 3 inch screens when you are videotaping you are not really seeing that site at that moment . Sure you have the video when you get home, but you missed the action while it was actually happening. So I still think I will not bring Video. As far as point and shoot camera, I always bring one, take way too many pictures, come home put them in album and seem to not revisit them very often at all. I don't know why. It's like the planning, and the actual trip are what I like. Most pictures really don't bring me back to the feel of being there. I am 47 and seem to not remember things as well as before, so if I took no pictures I might not have many visual memories. Do most of you really have detailed memories of your vacations in your mind or do I need to see a doctor? I just tend to really remember a few hightlights. Then when I get back I start planning for a new trip. Do any of you share my seeming lack of interest in looking at the pictures very often after I get home?