How to maintain a consistent photography practice without adding extra time to your day and why your next great photograph might be hiding in your exercise routine.
A great pairing! Leading always to interesting output every week for your readers here. 🤩
Just this late morning we drove downtown in our EV to take our dog for a walk (cheaper than taking the train from our suburb into central Oslo) where we knew we could find shade from the buildings (it was supposed to heat up quickly).
When we were finished exploring that neighborhood and were driving down a busy city street to head home, I ended up behind three cyclists in proper gear that also included for each: cameras tucked into the back of their shirts. My better half noticed first and wondered why all 3 had cameras and I joked that maybe they were doing a triathlon (or in this case duathlon) but with cycling and shooting being the events.
And now I read your own personal story of how the camera is an integral part of your training…. So maybe I wasn’t far off????
I will say, I normally would’ve taken my “camera-camera” along today as I typically do when we go exploring neighborhoods on our “city dog walking” but the past few months I haven’t done that much as I almost burnt myself out shooting too much on my summer travels last year, plus fall and spring travels. But, I used to always take my crop-sensor outdated Sony with an 85mm lens on these walks (not true sporting exercise but we get in our steps 😉). I hope to get back into that mindset again in the future and your post might be the little nudge I need.
Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear about the near burn-out. Been there myself and know how important it is to look after ourselves. If I ever feel like that now, I just take a break and my body and mind will soon tell me when to head back out. Whatever the camera, big or small, it’s about having fun and enjoying the creative process. Nothing else matters really.
Great article! I’ve often wondered how often you stopped during your running and cycling sessions, to take a photo. - When I hike, I always have a camera with me. Sometimes I take many photos and sometimes I don’t take any. Still, sometimes, even though I have a camera with me, I only take photos with my phone. You’re so right about the discovery aspect of approaching photography this way. I often find myself in awe of the scene that unfolds in front of me.
The locations you run and cycle are stunningly beautiful! Is it all public land? When you approach abandoned buildings, is that land owned by anyone? I’m always a bit leery of doing that here, incase there’s an angry landowner around with a rifle. - I wish I was kidding but I live in the USA, so it’s a valid concern, unfortunately.
Yes I typically run on public footpaths, bridleways and byways when out and about, which all are rights of way. I guess typically buildings are not but I only tend to explore those that are on or beside these and do so with respect for the owners, not causing any damage or approaching/entering where signage says otherwise. Totally get this is different in the US.
Interesting article Giles. I have to agree incorporating photography with exercise is a great way of covering all bases. The bike does give more freedom to roam further without a doubt...I used to ride over the top of the south downs up until 4 or 5 years ago and that really gave me freedom to see and photograph more. Now my main regular exercise is walking - and projects have grown from that, for example the Valley on my doorstep. I use a Samsung phone some of the time, but mostly it's with my Fuji as it's still fairly light and versatile with the 18-55.
A great pairing! Leading always to interesting output every week for your readers here. 🤩
Just this late morning we drove downtown in our EV to take our dog for a walk (cheaper than taking the train from our suburb into central Oslo) where we knew we could find shade from the buildings (it was supposed to heat up quickly).
When we were finished exploring that neighborhood and were driving down a busy city street to head home, I ended up behind three cyclists in proper gear that also included for each: cameras tucked into the back of their shirts. My better half noticed first and wondered why all 3 had cameras and I joked that maybe they were doing a triathlon (or in this case duathlon) but with cycling and shooting being the events.
And now I read your own personal story of how the camera is an integral part of your training…. So maybe I wasn’t far off????
I will say, I normally would’ve taken my “camera-camera” along today as I typically do when we go exploring neighborhoods on our “city dog walking” but the past few months I haven’t done that much as I almost burnt myself out shooting too much on my summer travels last year, plus fall and spring travels. But, I used to always take my crop-sensor outdated Sony with an 85mm lens on these walks (not true sporting exercise but we get in our steps 😉). I hope to get back into that mindset again in the future and your post might be the little nudge I need.
Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear about the near burn-out. Been there myself and know how important it is to look after ourselves. If I ever feel like that now, I just take a break and my body and mind will soon tell me when to head back out. Whatever the camera, big or small, it’s about having fun and enjoying the creative process. Nothing else matters really.
Great article! I’ve often wondered how often you stopped during your running and cycling sessions, to take a photo. - When I hike, I always have a camera with me. Sometimes I take many photos and sometimes I don’t take any. Still, sometimes, even though I have a camera with me, I only take photos with my phone. You’re so right about the discovery aspect of approaching photography this way. I often find myself in awe of the scene that unfolds in front of me.
The locations you run and cycle are stunningly beautiful! Is it all public land? When you approach abandoned buildings, is that land owned by anyone? I’m always a bit leery of doing that here, incase there’s an angry landowner around with a rifle. - I wish I was kidding but I live in the USA, so it’s a valid concern, unfortunately.
Thanks, Alicia.
Yes I typically run on public footpaths, bridleways and byways when out and about, which all are rights of way. I guess typically buildings are not but I only tend to explore those that are on or beside these and do so with respect for the owners, not causing any damage or approaching/entering where signage says otherwise. Totally get this is different in the US.
Interesting article Giles. I have to agree incorporating photography with exercise is a great way of covering all bases. The bike does give more freedom to roam further without a doubt...I used to ride over the top of the south downs up until 4 or 5 years ago and that really gave me freedom to see and photograph more. Now my main regular exercise is walking - and projects have grown from that, for example the Valley on my doorstep. I use a Samsung phone some of the time, but mostly it's with my Fuji as it's still fairly light and versatile with the 18-55.
Thanks, Lin. Glad to hear it. Yes a Fuji is a nice compact and lightweight system for situations like this.