Andan taking a selfie with the girls With a smart phone, a point and shoot, an SLR or any other camera you can take pictures; as long as you are enjoying it.
Go for it!
The Girls! (Leica M9 with 28mm)
Photography-Absenteeism
After a few weeks (or is it months?) of what I call: « Photography-Absenteeism »,
I have now decided to get back into the habit of carrying my camera with me everywhere. With no intention in mind other than observing more intensely the world close to me.
I believe that if one carries a camera, one is more intent in looking and Is made more aware of his or her surroundings.
For the past few weeks (or is it months?) I took no photographs. But I did purchase 2 cameras: a point a shoot easy to carry camera and a second one with a faster lens and better video quality.
I thought that by using these «new» cameras, I would make better images.
I had fallen into the false notion that if I changed gear I would change my photography.
I was in a rut, not making good images; I disliked those new cameras that cost me a few dollars.
As I was storing one of these cameras in the dry cabinet, low and behold, I saw on the top shelf the Leica M6 that had been my traveling companion for as long as I can remember and next to it was the «newer» M9.
I have now decided to get back into the habit of carrying my camera with me everywhere. With no intention in mind other than observing more intensely the world close to me.
I believe that if one carries a camera, one is more intent in looking and Is made more aware of his or her surroundings.
For the past few weeks (or is it months?) I took no photographs. But I did purchase 2 cameras: a point a shoot easy to carry camera and a second one with a faster lens and better video quality.
I thought that by using these «new» cameras, I would make better images.
I had fallen into the false notion that if I changed gear I would change my photography.
I was in a rut, not making good images; I disliked those new cameras that cost me a few dollars.
As I was storing one of these cameras in the dry cabinet, low and behold, I saw on the top shelf the Leica M6 that had been my traveling companion for as long as I can remember and next to it was the «newer» M9.
I have now decided to get back into the habit of carrying my camera with me everywhere.
Andan shopping at the local warung (street vendor) While Andan was shopping, I went into the kitchen carrying my camera. I started taking photos.
The workers eagerly posed for me.
I was having fun.
I was rediscovering the joy of taking photographs.
 A lot of fire wood and a lot of oil is used daily |  Fanning air on the sate (meat on bamboo skewers) |  A camera facilitates interaction with people. |
I picked up the M9 from the top shelf of the dry cabinet and said to myself :
«Now, that is a camera. I like its weight, I love the rangefinder. The digital files are very similar to film.»
I then remembered the joy I felt when I had started to take photographs many years ago
(or is it many decades ago?).
So for the moment being, the digital M9 Leica rangefinder with a 28 mm will become my travel buddy but I cannot promise that I will stick to this partner forever. I might just come back to using the small point and shoot or the «bridge video/still camera» or maybe the Lomo or the Contax or maybe a newer camera.
But what I know for sure is that I must keep alive my passion and the joy of creating images.
One of the kitchen's wall
 The owner of the warung that also does catering and one of his 12 employees. They can easily make 500 meals in one day, using firewood and simple cooking methods. The food is delicious, believe me. |  Shyly posing for the photographer |