Are you an innie or an outie…camera wearer that is?

Like many photographers I have always kept my camera/ current lens selection in my bag between shots while on location for several key reasons:

1. It does not draw attention (provided your bag is discreet and does not scream steal me!)
2. It protects your gear from bumps and the elements
3. It keeps everything ready for a clean start when the next shot presents itself

But now consider this…

I have begun carrying a tiny bag which will hold all my gear (5.5 Lbs total weight, Leica M System) but when I am out and about I carry my camera with my “Goldilocks Lens” (50mm- it’s just right) around my neck at the ready. My experience is such that if I have to get my camera out of my bag for every shot and get everything ready…

1. I will probably miss the shot or at least the shot I wanted (the decisive moment).
2. I will consider not doing the shot at all (lazy artist syndrome)
3. I will become much more editive about the value of the shot because of the time necessary for my setup routine and not focus on the emotional energy at hand and as such miss the essence of what is going on in the first place.

So working “journalist style” or Fine Art Reportage-eque keeps my standard gear at the ready and forces me to find a way to make it (my tools) part of my body movement and every day life.

The bag- it’s there and does get tons of use but as far as I can tell, most great photographs happen outside the confines of your bag.

(PS- for the clever photographer out there who has just decided to start a new project photographing the insides of other photographers’ bags please give credit where credit is due…I accept all forms of flattery.)