Do I have a camera in the truck with me when I go to the grocery, or to a work meeting, or maybe when I take the dog for a walk? You bet I do. It’s like the American Express card slogan. I don’t leave home without it.
I often go out on drives with photography in mind. My wife and I will load up the three dogs, Maddy (the Scottish terrier), Witney (the pug) and Aubrey (the French bulldog), and usually drive to a predetermined destination hoping to get photos of a historic home, church, or business, that I’ve heard about, or think will make a good photo. I’m likely to have two or three full-sized Nikon bodies and a variety of prime and zoom lenses in the car with me. I’ve got something for about any situation.
But most of the time, when I leave the house, my focus is on the task at hand, whether it’s getting a few groceries, taking Witney to get her nails done, or a variety of other every day chores. I don’t want or need the photo arsenal. However, one never knows when a photo opportunity will present itself. So, I make sure I have one light and portable camera with me. My first choice is a full frame body with a 28mm lens or APS-C equivalent. That usually serves for about 90 percent of what I shoot, even when out on a planned photo jaunt. Rarely, I’ll pick up a DSLR body with a 28-300 zoom mounted on it.
The photos here were all taken on days out when I really wasn’t expecting to take pictures, and was out for some other reason. Two of these are being featured in a National Geographic book, others have been in magazines and brochures, and one is in an art museum’s permanent collection. It pays to have an everyday carry camera.
