Finding time to get out to take photos

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Ian
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Does anyone else struggle to find time to get outside to photograph?

I find it hard to find spare time between work and looking after the kids as my wife works shift patterns in a hotel.

I know there is lots I could do in the house photography wise but I find sometimes for my mental health just getting out for a walk and taking the camera is better for me.
 
Does anyone else struggle to find time to get outside to photograph?

I find it hard to find spare time between work and looking after the kids as my wife works shift patterns in a hotel.

I know there is lots I could do in the house photography wise but I find sometimes for my mental health just getting out for a walk and taking the camera is better for me.


Yes. Same rings true here. Two young kids and full time job and wife does am-dram work with local theatre so has periods when she's out three evenings a week so I'm home. In theory, summer is a good time for getting out and about and I do try but I struggle a little with getting up at 4am for a sunrise somewhere remote and then dust myself down and go and work a full day in the office. Sunsets are easier at this time of year but I prefer the light in winter. I like astro shooting too and this time of year (or a bit earlier actually) is great for milky way shooting but means being out in the middle of the night. Again, not ideal with a full time job!

I think you just have to make the most of the opportunities you do have. I've stopped caring too much about the weather. If it's absolutely chucking it down, maybe not, otherwise I try to get out and about. Some interesting photos to be had in changeable conditions.
 
I think you just have to make the most of the opportunities you do have

This. I'm a full time carer for my wife as well as a full time employee and part time teacher. Thankfully the kids are self-supporting now, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.

It's not about leaving it until there's 'spare time' - because there may never be any. It's about making time for it by perhaps saying no to some things when I might say yes. Understanding that taking time for me is part of looking after myself and that perhaps I owe it to those I care for to be in tip top shape.

The Lake District is maybe 2 hours away by car - same for the north Wales coast. Can't remember the time I last visited either. Almost all my photos are taken within a 20 minute drive of my house - most are within a 20 minute walk. I look for the photos I can get within my limits.

My advice. Make Time. Your health and your family will thank you.
 
Yes. Same rings true here. Two young kids and full time job and wife does am-dram work with local theatre so has periods when she's out three evenings a week so I'm home. In theory, summer is a good time for getting out and about and I do try but I struggle a little with getting up at 4am for a sunrise somewhere remote and then dust myself down and go and work a full day in the office. Sunsets are easier at this time of year but I prefer the light in winter. I like astro shooting too and this time of year (or a bit earlier actually) is great for milky way shooting but means being out in the middle of the night. Again, not ideal with a full time job!

I think you just have to make the most of the opportunities you do have. I've stopped caring too much about the weather. If it's absolutely chucking it down, maybe not, otherwise I try to get out and about. Some interesting photos to be had in changeable conditions.

This. I'm a full time carer for my wife as well as a full time employee and part time teacher. Thankfully the kids are self-supporting now, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.

It's not about leaving it until there's 'spare time' - because there may never be any. It's about making time for it by perhaps saying no to some things when I might say yes. Understanding that taking time for me is part of looking after myself and that perhaps I owe it to those I care for to be in tip top shape.

The Lake District is maybe 2 hours away by car - same for the north Wales coast. Can't remember the time I last visited either. Almost all my photos are taken within a 20 minute drive of my house - most are within a 20 minute walk. I look for the photos I can get within my limits.

My advice. Make Time. Your health and your family will thank you.

Some good advice there from you both. Thank you. I think I definitely need to work on making time instead of waiting for spare time.

With the kids the oldest can look after herself. The youngest i would probably need to take with me but as long as I can keep her entertained I can probably sneak a few photos in.
Most of my recent photos have been from a walk into the city and back. Luckily Cambridge has a lot of interesting buildings and photographic opportunities. It's no great distance but it is getting out and about and disconnecting from work and home life.
 
Another thing is that life tends to go in 'phases' - ie nothing's the same for ever. Circumstances shift. So what you can't do now you might be able to do later. So rather than thinking 'can't', think 'can't at the moment'.
 
This. I'm a full time carer for my wife as well as a full time employee and part time teacher. Thankfully the kids are self-supporting now, but there just aren't enough hours in the day.

It's not about leaving it until there's 'spare time' - because there may never be any. It's about making time for it by perhaps saying no to some things when I might say yes. Understanding that taking time for me is part of looking after myself and that perhaps I owe it to those I care for to be in tip top shape.

The Lake District is maybe 2 hours away by car - same for the north Wales coast. Can't remember the time I last visited either. Almost all my photos are taken within a 20 minute drive of my house - most are within a 20 minute walk. I look for the photos I can get within my limits.

My advice. Make Time. Your health and your family will thank you.

Pretty much the same.

I look after someone who needs increasing help plus I'm married so between cooking, washing up, general housework and gardening, care duties and finding time for Mrs WW there's often nothing left.

A few years ago I could find maybe half a day a week to get out by myself but these days it's getting more and more difficult to get any time to myself. I've never been happier though :D

I get to Saltburn and the local park (both about 20 minutes drive) but usually with not much time for taking pictures, I rarely get to go up in the hills (half an hours walk) these days, maybe once a year. A lot of my pictures are taken on the walk to the shops.
 
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I’m definitely in the having to make time camp. I find the long daylight hours of summer a big help. Although tiring, a trip to the peaks a couple of weeks ago involved a 3.15 alarm, 50 minute drive, followed by a 20 minute walk, to give me an hour in position around sunrise before the journey home and back to bed for an hour until the rest of the house woke up!
A lot of effort maybe, but that hour was worth it, and I got a nice picture too which is a bonus!

Same again this weekend, for a coastal sunrise while we were on a weekend away. I was back at base before they had woken up.
 
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I used to spend one day pretty much every single weekend in the year out photographing something, usually 30-40 motorsport events, zoos etc. Since having a kid that’s all gone out of the window (all the groundwork building contacts for motorsport and automotive stuff etc, gone in an instant!), I now pick a couple of weekends well in advance per year (such as Festival of Speed), ‘book’ them off with the wife and just focus on those. Surprisingly I quite like it, rather than lots of small events that can be fruitless sometimes I just go all out for maybe 4 days per year.

The other big change is making a conscious effort to take the camera out when we go for walks in the woods, the local farm park etc. Much easier with a small mirrorless as it’s barely noticeable, but is grabbed for quick moments as and when. Composing interesting photos with a 3 year old without getting him to pose etc is a nice workout for the creativity too. The other nice thing about that is that each year I pull all those photos together and put them in a photobook for my son.

Early starts is another good shout, particularly this time of year. My other hobby is running so I'll often go out at 6am on a Sunday, even with a 10 mile run I can be back just as the wife and child are getting up.
 
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I used to spend one day pretty much every single weekend in the year out photographing something, usually 30-40 motorsport events, zoos etc. Since having a kid that’s all gone out of the window (all the groundwork building contacts for motorsport and automotive stuff etc, gone in an instant!), I now pick a couple of weekends well in advance per year (such as Festival of Speed), ‘book’ them off with the wife and just focus on those. Surprisingly I quite like it, rather than lots of small events that can be fruitless sometimes I just go all out for maybe 4 days per year.

The other big change is making a conscious effort to take the camera out when we go for walks in the woods, the local farm park etc. Much easier with a small mirrorless as it’s barely noticeable, but is grabbed for quick moments as and when. Composing interesting photos with a 3 year old without getting him to pose etc is a nice workout for the creativity too. The other nice thing about that is that each year I pull all those photos together and put them in a photobook for my son.

Early starts is another good shout, particularly this time of year. My other hobby is running so I'll often go out at 6am on a Sunday, even with a 10 mile run I can be back just as the wife and child are getting up.

I had swapped to a mirrorless camera about a year ago as it suited my shooting better. It always gets brought along on days out even if it's just for candid shots of the kids.

I think sometime I might need to try to arrange a few days out to myself once or twice a year.
 
I too find it difficult to get out for a few hours devoted to photography. So I make a point of taking the camera out with me nearly every time I go out. If I spot anything interesting while I'm out I'll spend a few minutes getting a fair shot of it. If it's really interesting I might even spend ten minutes doing my best. Since I usually see nothing and the camera stays in its case that's not much extra time on a shopping trip. But every now and then I'll photograph something that turns out to be very interesting, or a rather good photograph, and occasionally something that's definitely worthy of a return visit with better lenses and a tripod.
 
You certainly need to set time aside for it if you are really into it for sure...!!

Easy for me to say, I have more spare time than most of you lot by the sound of things - but then I always seem to be doing 'stuff' - Maybe I should say I have less responsibilities.....

I work Mon-Fri days. My other half has just started a Mon-Fri day job. I have my kids every other weekend & twice during the week for tea. Chuck in some (parents) visiting, gym, some You Tube/Netflix & the odd early night...... Weekends we definitely try to get out though somewhere - whether that's a local drive/walk or somewhere a little further afield. My other half loves walking/hiking as much as me & even the kids don't mind it too if the weather isn't too horrendous - they didn't mind the Brecons back in February, that was chilly! On holiday last week (Weymouth) we done a little afternoon landscape shoot at Durdle Door, sunset at Portland Bill & I managed a 4:00 alarm for Corfe Castle/Lulworth/Durdle Door sunrise & early morning.

I think making the effort is really worthwhile. It's good for you!! Heck, I've had great hikes & not even come home with any decent images!!
 
Pretty much the same.

I look after someone who needs increasing help plus I'm married so between cooking, washing up, general housework and gardening, care duties and finding time for Mrs WW there's often nothing left.

A few years ago I could find maybe half a day a week to get out by myself but these days it's getting more and more difficult to get any time to myself. I've never been happier though :D

I get to Saltburn and the local park (both about 20 minutes drive) but usually with not much time for taking pictures, I rarely get to go up in the hills (half an hours walk) these days, maybe once a year. A lot of my pictures are taken on the walk to the shops.
you missed out in between buying up all the older manual lenses :rolleyes::ROFLMAO:
 
Pretty much the same.

I look after someone who needs increasing help plus I'm married so between cooking, washing up, general housework and gardening, care duties and finding time for Mrs WW there's often nothing left.

A few years ago I could find maybe half a day a week to get out by myself but these days it's getting more and more difficult to get any time to myself. I've never been happier though :D

I get to Saltburn and the local park (both about 20 minutes drive) but usually with not much time for taking pictures, I rarely get to go up in the hills (half an hours walk) these days, maybe once a year. A lot of my pictures are taken on the walk to the shops.

Similar here, my partner is our daughter's primary carer [our eldest has mild CP] but she has been sick for a while herself and I became pretty carer for both of them. I man the house, with an apron [ ok, maybe not :D ] but I do all the house work, cooking, cleaning, washing etc on top of any DIY that springs up - try getting 11 and 14 yr old girls to help you out with 'chores'! In the midst of all this I completed a course in Social studies which included equality and disability, intellectual disability and special needs assistance - which I hope will lead to some fulfilling employment - I had surgery on my back a few years back from a work incident [was a steel engineer] so had to look to something else, had no other real skills. Most of my photography lately is done in the garden , a local park or in the house itself. There are some nice spots along the local Boyne valley for wildlife but I always feel I can't be away for too long. I need to change that of course. I do feel at times the family can depend on me a little too much and we all need out own 'me' time. So yup, I agree with those who say 'make the time' - and I plan to get out more
 
Similar here, my partner is our daughter's primary carer [our eldest has mild CP] but she has been sick for a while herself and I became pretty carer for both of them. I man the house, with an apron [ ok, maybe not :D ] but I do all the house work, cooking, cleaning, washing etc on top of any DIY that springs up - try getting 11 and 14 yr old girls to help you out with 'chores'! In the midst of all this I completed a course in Social studies which included equality and disability, intellectual disability and special needs assistance - which I hope will lead to some fulfilling employment - I had surgery on my back a few years back from a work incident [was a steel engineer] so had to look to something else, had no other real skills. Most of my photography lately is done in the garden , a local park or in the house itself. There are some nice spots along the local Boyne valley for wildlife but I always feel I can't be away for too long. I need to change that of course. I do feel at times the family can depend on me a little too much and we all need out own 'me' time. So yup, I agree with those who say 'make the time' - and I plan to get out more

Today we had home made (by me :D) bread and later apple and bramble pies :D We'll be going for a walk tomorrow if it doesn't rain and if we go Mrs WW will pick brambles and I might take a few pictures.

I had a back injury when I was 21 but I've incorporated my physio into my exercise routine and as long as I can keep doing that I have a pretty much normal life.

I like taking pictures but even with effort making time can be difficult and often even if I can arrange help a planned break is scrapped because I have to take someone to the hospital/doctors, bathe feet or dress a sore/wound etc. Often the only free time I get is before others get up or when everything is (hopefully) done for the day, like now...
 
I made bread today too! :D A Flaxseed and almond flour bread, turned out really nice - I'm doing a Ketogenic/low carb diet atm, 3 weeks in and still craving sugar and carbs but getting used to it. Gotta loose this beer keg belly
 
Funnily enough I want to do more photography, and am getting sick if the changing regime at work.
It was a good school to work at, but since changing to a MAT (multi academy trust) they have all these new departments like HR.

I got called into the deputy heads office, and he said that I had too many sick days, the last was the doc signed me off with cellulitis.
He told me that if I have anymore before Christmas this would involve a meeting with HR!

OMG

I said if it gets to that then sack me. If you sack me I won't have to work a months notice, in fact if you make me work a months notice I'll sit there doing nothing.

Don't think he knew how to take this, so he apologized a lot not meaning to come to this, but I'm retiring before Christmas, or next august, depends if they tick me off. Lol the power!!
 
The youngest i would probably need to take with me but as long as I can keep her entertained ...

Spare camera? Maybe she could be entertained by taking photos along side her Dad and comparing results later?
 
Spare camera? Maybe she could be entertained by taking photos along side her Dad and comparing results later?

Could give her my Olympus tough camera. I doubt she could break it. She does love grabbing hold of a phone and using the camera. Mostly selfies so far!!
 
I was going to suggest an old camera phone. Doesn't need a SIM or nowt - I use an old one as a GPS speedo in the Escort as the speedo is so far out it's not worth connecting!!

If my boy gets up for sunrise with me (or we all go out daytime hiking) both my kids take phone photos & FB or Instagram them (they may be older than yours obviously) He did actually ask me while out last week on holiday if I'd teach him photography.
 
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