I went to an auction last night and I thought about how I always carry a camera with me everywhere I go. Actually at least one film camera (Leica M3 and/or Rolleiflex 3.5F) and a Fuji X100. Tucked neatly in a Domke F-804 Reporter bag or Billingham Hadley Small bag. And I go lots of places but I find I rarely open up the bag and shoot. Because it takes an effort to pull the camera out and that draws a lot of attention to it.
So, last night, I just put the Fuji X100 (yes, I went digital) around my neck. I always have it on silent mode and from my street shooting experience, I know how to shoot with it at mid-chest level, instead of needing to lift it to my eye. It made all the difference in the world having it there, not in my bag. Because I can’t shoot with it in the bag. And I don’t.
I am going to make a point of wearing it around my neck–not even my shoulder is good enough, because it’s still not in a place I can shoot. And I’m going to see how much more I photograph as a result of its immediate accessibility.
These photos came from that experience last night, shot from the chest.
The one of the two girls playing a clapping game I even asked if I could photograph them, which didn’t seem like a big deal since my camera was already out.
Camera around your neck. Not your shoulder. Not your bag. Not your car. Notes to self!
