On Saturday I drove downtown to Center City Philadelphia to participate in a walking tour conducted by Hidden City Philadelphia. The walk focused on Philadelphia’s Lost Jewish Quarter. The tour was wonderful and our guide Jerry Silverman was fantastic!

Before I left home I restocked my camera bag with film, put it in the car with an extra bottle of water and off I went. Walking to the meeting location I realized I hadn’t loaded my camera so I sat down on a stoop in front of an old row house and grabbed a roll of Tri-X. Now all ready to go!  Everyone introduced themselves and we started our walk. As usual, I had a small spiral notebook with me, whose written pages could be torn out and transferred to my main notebook. I always carry some kind of notebook or pad with me so I can jot down whatever I think is important and not forget it. You should too!

I brought my camera with me, because I bring my camera with me. I thought there would be ample opportunities to make photographs while also taking good notes in support of a project idea I have.  But something curious happened … I never took my camera out of the bag! I kept taking notes as we walked from one interesting location to the next, passing many photographic opportunities. I just never had the desire to make a photograph. Even after the tour was over and I decided to do some further exploration … nothing. Strange … perhaps. Bad idea … upon reflection, I don’t think so. Instead of worrying about getting a good picture while trying to learn something that I could apply to something larger, I decided to just relax, enjoy myself and take it all in. I could, and most definitely will be back when my full concentration will be on making photographs. In fact I know that the part of Philadelphia I saw, while geographically compact, will take multiple visits to properly explore.

I don’t want you to think that I would have passed up an opportunity to make a picture of something earthshattering or not capture a moment of time that would never repeat itself. I would not!

Knowing I would be back, just listening and taking in what I was seeing without any pressure to produce was extremely liberating … and relaxing too. I had a great time!  But I must come back, and soon, or this was just a pleasant day trip.

So perhaps it’s a good idea sometimes to conduct “photo recon” as the objective and enjoy the experience for what it is. No pressure. If you want, you can bring your camera with you just in case. But don’t feel guilty if it never leaves its bag.  I didn’t feel that way at all and have pages of notes and ideas to work on in support what I think will be many wonderful outings. All in all, a nice way to spend a beautiful fall day. Not to do all the time … just every once in a while.