Take the Time

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz

Hobbies, to some, can be seen as a waste of time. I am sure there are people who know me who think that my photography and my posting about it is a waste of time. Hobbies are not a waste of time, at least in my opinion. Hobbies are like anything else in life that requires balance. I pair my hobby with other things that are good for me. More often than not, when I am taking photos, I am either taking a walk around my neighborhood or riding my bike around the city. Exercise is a good thing. I also bring my camera with me when I travel. This way, I capture as many great photos as possible to help us hold on to the memories forever. When I post my photography online, I write about it. Writing is something else I enjoy doing. Even though my posts are short, they help me remember what was happening that day. I often go back and look at my older posts as a journal of what I have done before. Hobbies are not a waste of time. They are ways that can make us better people.

One of my favorite ways to practice my hobby while I am at home is doing some street photography. I am fortunate to live near some of the most walkable places in Charlotte, North Carolina. I take advantage and bring my camera with me when I go on walks. I’m not sure how my neighbors feel about this hobby, but I haven’t had anyone tell me no yet. I would like to think that I am sneaky while I do this, but I doubt it. I am sure people see me and wonder why I am out there with my camera. The main reason I am out there is for practice. The more I practice, the better I get at it. I captured these photos during one of my walks recently. I used my larger 300 mm lens so I could be a little further away from everyone. The only catch is that lens is huge and hard not to miss.