Page 49 - Cape-Camera-May-June-2021

Cape Camera May/June 2021

I promise. Take a Break
And if you don’t on the first day, then you will on the second, or Sometimes there’s just too much pressure and exhaustion and
the third. They’ll come. keeping a routine is the wrong advice. In this case, just take
Always have a camera with you some time off from photography. Clear your head of photogra-
A big issue I see is just people not picking up their cameras in phy entirely and do something fun that’s in a completely differ-
ent space. This can take the pressure off and help you feel more
the first place when they go out. excited and refreshed when you come back.
But remember that you always have a camera with you – your Embrace the physical – photobooks and prints
phone. And phones take incredible photos these days. (You can
print out the phone photos, frame them, put them on your wall The nature of photography is physical. There is nothing more
at regular sizes, and nobody will know the difference). When inspirational than holding a photograph in your hand. One of
you can’t take your camera around with you, think about your the most inspiring things you can do is to relax with a photo-
phone in the same way you would your camera and remember book. It cuts all the clutter out of your brain and allows you to
to take it out periodically. focus and get lost in someone else’s world. There’s nothing that
Similarly, lighten your camera load to make you more likely to makes me want to pick up a camera the next day more than
take it out. Consider a mirrorless camera such as a Fuji X100 or a doing this.
Ricoh. Get a smaller prime lens or a pancake lens to lighten your Similarly, print your photos out. Even if you don’t have a good
SLR or mirrorless camera. They make a huge difference. photo printer, print them on whatever printer you have, order
Keep a routine them from a service, or take them to a local print shop. Make a
bunch of small work prints and keep them around your com-
When you’re feeling discouraged, getting out the door is the puter. Pin them up to a wall. Having those prints will serve as
hardest part. Once you’re walking, I feel like everything usually daily inspiration as to what you’re working for.
starts to feel better. And the more you can turn this into even a Sometimes the motivation will just come to you when the time
small routine of short walks, the better you will feel about pho- is right. Other times you need to go through the motions and
tographing. take the small consistent steps that will allow the motivation to
Schedule it like you would a workout or a walk, and stick to it. build and flourish. Push yourself, even if it’s just a bit. Then take
Even if it’s a 20 minutes scheduled to walk a few blocks – that’s it a little further the next day.
all that matters.
Join his Close to Home Photo Salon Online Community, or go for more information to http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com

*) James Maher is a New York photographer based out of Manhattan and Brooklyn and offers private
photo tours and street photography workshops.
He also will be the presenter at our E & D evening on 17th August 2021 (on a Tuesday instead of the usual
Wednesday) which we will co-host with the Tafelberg and Tygerberg photographic clubs, where he will give
an Introduction to street photography.

Cape Town Photographic Society 48