Hi Kris,
I'm a newcomer to photography myself, and have wife, two young kids,
house, car, eight cavies (hamster like rodents), and a host of tropical
and cold water fish to support on top of a Zuiko/OM/Darkroom habit.
As you know, there is an enormous variety of photographic topics and
equipment catagories to explore. Prior to getting caught up in
photography as a hobby though, we always did things as a family and we
still do, my wife and kids will take the odd shot when they feel the
urge. I mess around in the darkroom after the kids have gone to bed.
Apart from attending the odd Camera Club night and a couple of Camera
Courses, I can't recall having ever been out on a trip with the sole
purpose of taking photos.
My photo opportunities arise when we are on holiday, or a weekend
outing. I don't spend too long over each shot because it would not be
fair to the non photographers in the group. Often I wish I could take
the time required in the same location waiting for favourable changes in
light conditions, but that will have to wait. However when that time
comes (when kids are off our hands) methinks I'd consider options like
Large and Medium Format cameras. As for earning an income as a portrait
photographer, I would suggest you checkout some of the specialist Zuiko
portrait focal length lenses (85,100,135mm etc) in addition to
investigating MF. There are child portrait photographers earning their
keep who use 35MM, at least over here there is.
What I enjoy regarding Oly camera and lenses is - they are compact, not
that heavy, very durable and offer enough of a selection of lenses and
accessories to handle different types of photography. Most of the
bodies and lenses I plan to take when going on a trip, usually fit into
a small camera bag, haven't got a vest, but wouldn't mind one. The kids
would find you kind of lumpy though if you were wearing a vest full of
camera bits should they want a carry:-)
I live in Australia, and our photographic market is tiny compared to
the US and Europe. Even so, I haven't had really major problems getting
Oly items I've had on my shopping list. If you are in the US, then you
should have much less of a problem in tracking down the Oly bits.
All the best, in your photographic pursuits
Regards
SC.
>----------
>From: KRIS GARREN[SMTP:KGARREN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>Reply To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Sent: Thursday, May 21, 1998 3:49 AM
>To: 'Olympus Mailing List'
>Subject: FW: [OM] Kid's [was: Professionals using Olympus]
>
>Gary,
>
>Thank you for the "words of wisdom", they truly
>are that! Your correct, photography has allowed me
>to keep a little bit of my own identity & creativity &
>sanity. I've been looking at vests and wondering if
>they would be a worthwhile investment!
>
>I don't know Imogen Cunningham ?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Kris
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 1998 1:16 PM
>To: INTERNET:olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [OM] Kid's [was: Professionals using Olympus]
>
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>Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 12:06:58 EDT
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>Hi Kris:
>
><< Also, with 2 small children,
><< it's difficult to bring along too much camera
><< equipment. He's always complaining
><< about having to lug camera bags. Any suggestions for
><< "packing light" and still getting what you need?
>
>Because I shot for a few years with tottlers in tow, I'll add to whatever
>Doris says about this. I'll skip over the part about the complaining,
>though.
>
>My secret to active parenting and shooting at the same time was to use a
>camera vest have your arms fully available for the kids. I've been able to
>carry the OLY gear and still wear a kiddy carrier (the tripod got lashed to
>the aluminum seat frame), ride a bike with a child seat, carry the
>equipment
>into Grandma's and have my hands available for diaper bags, etc, etc. If
>you
>don't make the gear easy to take, you'll end up not taking it or slipping
>into
>just using a point and shoot. The vest was simply the #1 reason I got so
>many
>shots of my kids in their early years. And it'll keep you in shape, too.
>
>Photography allows one to remain creative at a time when our parenting
>responsibilities seems to take away much of what makes us balanced and
>interesting individuals. Imogen Cunningham still did memorable photography
>at
>at home subjects when she was raising kids. I would venture to guess that
>the
>stress of parenting causes lots of pre-parenthood photographers to give up
>the
>craft. I nearly did, in part due to the cost when so many other financial
>needs were pressing.
>
>OM content: My favorite combo for kid shots was an OM-2n, 35-70 mm f/4.0
>zoom, T-32 on a Bounce Grip 2 with a 0.6m TTL cord. I did lots of bounce
>flash. Since the zoom makes it tough to focus, I'll also put on a prime
>lens
>that best fit the room I would park myself in (mostly 28, 35, or 50 mm).
>My
>kids were so used to a camera that I seldom see in the negs what would be
>labled a posed shot.
>
>Gary Reese
>Las Vegas, NV
>
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