Always keep camera in my car

[Hui Song]

Since I started learning photography seriously in September, I have tried keeping my camera in my car whenever I am away from home. My wife always remind me that we do not have more budget for my photo hobby if I lose or damage the camera.

In NJ/NY area, whenever I spot something while I am driving, it is so hard to just stop by road or highway. After I finally find a parking place, the view normally is totally different from what I saw, or the timing is not good to take picture anymore. I missed a lot of photo opportunity. The most images I get are taken at road side parking lot.

Post a few of my roadside shooting experiences here. C&C appreciate.


#1. I ran out from our dinner in a restaurant to get this picture. Took three frames with bracket of 5 exposures.This final image is a HDR from 5 exposure. The bottom part with those cars is added from another frame.


#2. I do not have experience of shooting the night view by the road before. Shot a few frames with different speed setting. Each setting got different car lights pattern. This is my final pick. It is dangerous to shoot on road side. I had to always keep a eye on those cars/trucks coming from my back.



#3. Got this autumn leave picture by a road side pond.


#4. I saw a fabulous sunset on the highway. After I finally found a park lot in a nearby shopping mall, the position was too low and the time was too late. I can only get some pictures with a little bit dusk light.


#5. Got this picture at another parking lot.

[moopy goops]

Hi, It's frustrating when you see something from the car and by the time you've found somewhere to stop the moment is gone, but there is a possible solution. Could you ask your wife to drive the car and you could sit , camera at the ready watching for those interesting shots ?
Seriously, I like your shots and I like the fact they come with a story and a common theme (parking lots I have visited . .)Keep up the good work.
On a negative note, I think I mostly agree with your wife that keeping your camera in the car is going to end badly,

[allenlennon]

I love no. 1. And I have been in the habit of bringing my selection gear with me where I go. In my back pack camera bag I have my 6D, two lenses, a flash or two, triggers, and tripod. It never leaves my side. If I go they go. If I'm going to work I take the bag with me and place it where it will be safe and in view of cameras.

[AB26]

Hi Hui,

I can see you are really dedicated to the “hobby”. Having your camera with you all the time is the way to go. Taking good care of your camera and never have it stolen from your car is the big challenge here in SA. Never leave it in the car – keep it with you!

What you are doing might sometimes look “foolish” to others (running out of the restaurant to get a shot) but you surely show a lot of passion in getting the shots. You are on the right track and your images are getting better and better. I really enjoy looking at your work.

Sometimes the composition might not be that great but you are making progress.
For example: In shot #3 you could have considered a different composition to make that nice fence lead the eye into the image towards the autumn colours. No 2 is a lovely shot. the lines leading my eyes straight to the city high rise buildings.
The colour and exposure in your images look very good.

You will get to the point where you will no longer take the shot on impulse but visualize what you want the image to show the viewer. At that point you will start planning the shot and be more careful of what is included in the image, you will be more careful of what you frame in the viewfinder.

Well done Hui, it is a matter of time and getting the experience and you will be capturing timeless masterpieces.

[Shadowman]

Nice images. That running out of the restaurant thing can get a bit embarrassing at certain locations.

[Hui Song]

Hi, It's frustrating when you see something from the car and by the time you've found somewhere to stop the moment is gone, but there is a possible solution. Could you ask your wife to drive the car and you could sit , camera at the ready watching for those interesting shots ?
Seriously, I like your shots and I like the fact they come with a story and a common theme (parking lots I have visited . .)Keep up the good work.
On a negative note, I think I mostly agree with your wife that keeping your camera in the car is going to end badly,

Mat, Thanks for your suggestion.
Most time, I am driving alone to / from work or on business trip.
"parking lots I have visited" may be a good theme, I should continued working in it.

[Hui Song]

It never leaves my side. If I go they go. If I'm going to work I take the bag with me and place it where it will be safe and in view of cameras.

Allen,
It seems that you are even more dedicated to photography then I am. The bag I have is a DSLR/Laptop Bag come with a package deal from B&H. It is provide very good protection to the camera / laptop. But I find it is not convenient to carry around. Maybe I should have a back pack like you.

[Hui Song]

Hi Hui,

I can see you are really dedicated to the “hobby”. Having your camera with you all the time is the way to go. Taking good care of your camera and never have it stolen from your car is the big challenge here in SA. Never leave it in the car – keep it with you!

What you are doing might sometimes look “foolish” to others (running out of the restaurant to get a shot) but you surely show a lot of passion in getting the shots. You are on the right track and your images are getting better and better. I really enjoy looking at your work.

Sometimes the composition might not be that great but you are making progress.
For example: In shot #3 you could have considered a different composition to make that nice fence lead the eye into the image towards the autumn colours. No 2 is a lovely shot. the lines leading my eyes straight to the city high rise buildings.
The colour and exposure in your images look very good.

You will get to the point where you will no longer take the shot on impulse but visualize what you want the image to show the viewer. At that point you will start planning the shot and be more careful of what is included in the image, you will be more careful of what you frame in the viewfinder.

Well done Hui, it is a matter of time and getting the experience and you will be capturing timeless masterpieces.

Andre, I read every words of your post. Thanks! Always get a lot from you.

CiC community really jumps my learning experience. Reviewing other member's post is not something you can get from reading photography books. Get at least one color and one B/W picture ready for CiC Mini Competition is my daily homework now. Beside working and taking care of family, I really do not have big chunk of time for photography. This give me another reason to always have camera with me.

[Hui Song]

Nice images. That running out of the restaurant thing can get a bit embarrassing at certain locations.

Only my wife and my son were on that particular dinner table. They all understand me. I am not sure if I will do the same if there are no other gust or friends.