So, the three of us hit the streets of downtown San Diego one rainy Sunday morning. I had known it was going to rain in advance and was actually looking forward to the rain. It very rarely rains in San Diego and I love shooting in wet weather because the colors are always richer and the reflections you get bouncing off the water are great.
How can I compare a new digital SLR camera to an old, film, twin lens reflex.? Well, think of the digital as a brand new BMW 7 series with GPS, anti lock brakes, power steering and everything else that a car with that kind of price tag comes with. Now, compare the Twin lens film camera with an old Volkswagen with a window missing and a brake pedal that requires both feet to stop. Sure, the BMW is a great car, comfortable, luxurious. . . but who's driving who? I also took along a light meter. The twin lens doesn't even have a built in light meter, you have to take readings externally and then dial them into the camera, then you look down through the top of the camera to compose the shot. Everything is reversed in the viewfinder, it's difficult to focus (manual also) and you only have 12 shots on one roll of film. Twelve shot!!!! My digital can take twelve shots in under three seconds. On my last outing I shot 800 photos in two days!!! How am I going to survive on twelve shots! . . . . . . OK, Breath Paul, Breath.
The funny thing is. I was actually fine with twelve shots. I found myself relaxing, taking my time. On top of that there is also the cost of the camera . . . . Pretty much worthless! When your walking around the city with $3k of equipment you tend to spend a lot of time looking around to make sure that you're not about to be mugged. But with a low cost camera: "You want this? Sure, take it, and here's some cash for your psychiatric evaluation" . . . . . Try and take my digital and at the very least you'll be walking away with nokiN indented on your forehead for a while.
There is also other peoples perception of you. With an expensive camera people feel threatened. They imagine you to be some paparazzi vulture and that their mug shot will appear on the front page of the "Daily Crap" next to a photograph of Britany freaking out because her new house has a flat tire. With an old camera people just see you as a hobbyist and therefore less threatening. (NOTE: This theory does not work outside schools or play parks :-) )
OK, the whole point to my ramblings (and yes, there is, for once a point) is that I realized that the tools I'm using somewhat dictate how I take photographs. Not in regards to the subject matter, but definitely in my frame of mind.
