Part of becoming a photographer is learning to see the world through an imaginary lens. You need to be able to see the shot you want before you shoot it.

Once you train yourself to see this way, it doesn’t really turn off. At least a few times a week I find myself angry because I see an amazing shot that I can’t get because I’m on a bridge or something and in any case, I don’t have my camera with me.

I don’t carry my camera everywhere. In part because it is expensive and impractical. Part of it is that as photographers we need to learn to put the camera down sometimes.

In the last 15 years, the number of times that I’ve gone to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando without my camera is one. One out of a dozen. And I spent a good portion of that trip kicking myself because of all the awesome shots I was missing.

The thing is that you can’t live your life through a camera. You’re recording life, but you aren’t living it.

Last night I went to see one of my favorite local acts, Stache Gordon. They’re actually a very successful local band called the Molly Ringwalds. Once a year they do a Queen tribute. My friends in the Jak Locke Rock Show opened up for them. And later, Jak sings the David Bowie part when Stache Gordon plays Under Pressure.

I had a great time. It was a great show. And yet, I couldn’t help snapping a few shots with my cell phone. Worse, I was kind of mad at the couple of people who were there with their cameras. Its a sickness.

I love photography, but I need to learn how to just be sometimes. Anyway, here are a few other pics.