True confession! I suffer from photography FOMO or should I say PFOMO? What is this? The “Fear of Missing Out” or the “Photography Fear of Missing Out” of that great shot. This fear resides in our heads, hearts and shutter fingers. Sure, we have our smartphones as a failsafe, but it’s just not the same.
The majority of the time we miss magic moments it’s due to just lack of preparation. Need to overcome your photography FOMO? Let’s change this with speed!
Has this happened to you (or something similar):
- Right in front of you – You’re leaving a restaurant only to find street performers (or something really cool). Jugglers, musicians, dancers performing feet away. Your camera? Tucked safely in your car parked a few minutes away. Opportunity lost.
- Not Ready for the moment – It’s Saturday and you’re meeting friends for a wildlife shoot. Camera in bags, you all pile in the van to drive to the nature preserve. About a quarter of a mile from the entrance, a pair of bald eagles perch in the tree top. Your cameras with their long lenses? In the back of the van, safe and snug in their camera bags.
- Distractions – En route to your camping location, light casts across the sky and open fields. Instead of pulling over and waiting, you take a quick break knowing you have time to make it. Then you don’t. Distractions, calls, traffic. You missed the golden cast of light, the last shadows of the day.
- That darn camera bag – Your camera is right there with you. Within inches of your grasp. Then, the moment happens that catches your eye. By the time you take the camera out of the backpack? The moment disappears.
- You can’t be there – You’re far away from home, enjoying your travels. Then, you see postings from your friends with a stunning display of the Aurora Borealis. (Truth!). You’re missing a heck of an opportunity.
Stop the Photography FOMO Before it Happens
Over time, I find that missing a shot because I didn’t photograph the moment well is better not having the camera in my hands.
Sheen Watkins
Here’s a few tips to make the most of our camera time.
No Camera Bag – To be moment ready, our cameras need to be out of our bags and ready to roll. Recently, a blog from Nadine Wilmanns pulled me in hook, line and sinker! Ditch the Camera Bag. Her insight and tips are spot on.
Within Arms Reach – For nature photographers our long lenses are too big to hang around our neck. However, buckling it safely in the seat next to us are options. My long lens is ready to grab while still protected in the seatbelt in the event of a sudden stop.
Time Management – If you’re a sunrise or sunset shooter, timing and tools go hand in hand. If we’re speeding to arrive on time, we’re already behind the 8-ball. Arrive in time for walking around, exploring multiple shooting angles and options. With more exploring, we find more perspectives. Set the alarm, stick to your schedule and enjoy your shooting time.
Lost Opportunity – Using the Aurora example from the situations above, we have two choices. Crying over spilled milk (ok, did that for a few) feels better for a quick minute. Then, move on and make the most of your work that’s in front of you. A new shoot, or simply combing through files looking for gems waiting to process helps us us to keep moving forward.
Make the Most with What You Have – There are times when we leave that lens or other equipment at home by mistake. Just recently, we traveled across nine states over a seven week period. ( check out Aperture and Light’s Travels) It’s spring and I left my macro lenses at home. Arg! Not happy! Instead of not going after spring flowers and small subjects, I used my landscape and telephotos to capture those subjects anyway. I shot a bit differently but still very happy with the outcome. The bluebonnets above are from my landscape lens using a very wide aperture.
The best tool? The lens in your hand.
Keeping Up Our Creativity
Photography FOMO is very real when we’re missing great opportunities. With planning and keeping our cameras in our hands or nearby, we’re more productive and creative in our work.
