What's to be done?

It's another one of those days where I stay inside mostly, just trying to recover from walking around a little too much without the right clothing and shoes. I mentioned yesterday in a post that those shoes are quite uncomfortable, especially in the heat and under the many different rough types of terrain you find around Yerevan. That itch again remains to get outside and enjoy myself under that scorching sun. To find something to capture. Yesterday on a brief walk I scouted a series of factories behind my apartment. They're untouched. Everything still visible inside. A clear indication that one day everyone just left and nobody has really been inside since. I could see the history right there before me. Each room had something fascinating to it, as I walked by the side and peaked into the windows from afar. Though unfortunately with recent development in the area, both entrances are guarded. And there are cameras present, though I'm not sure whether they're operating. It kills me to see all that history inside but I can't get to it. Half tempted to try to speak to one of the guards and offer a little bit of money for some time to explore and photograph it all before it's gone and likely thrown away.

I look outside the balcony window quite often, in search of something. As if to remind myself that the world is the real fun. It's all waiting, as I sit within four walls and try to find something to do. I have this battle with the mind almost daily now. While in Tbilisi, I spent a lot of time inside. It wasn't the most ideal place to explore. The weather either not all that ideal or the city just a bit too chaotic to easily navigate. But Yerevan's different. There are many sudden engagements to have with the locals. Many things to discover both in the nature and the architecture. It's a city that sits mostly idle, one that many don't realise holds so much depth to it despite being quite a small city. I think of the ways I want to start capturing things a bit better, the need for a microphone for the camera. The need for a new camera in general to pursue different styles of photography and filmmaking.

One stranger gave me encouragement to do something I already considered: to roam the streets, and actually find ways to film and document the explorations as a foreigner. To speak with people and share the conversations online. Almost like some documentary styled filmmaking mixed with general exploration of culture and history.

I do need a bit more gear to pursue it though. A new camera for better stabilisation and quality. Also a new gimbal given my current one weighs far too much to carry around for a while. And also a bit outdated at this point and without a great battery life, which requires having to swap them out quite frequently. Currently I mostly use the Sony A6000 which is a fun APS-C camera, great for daily shots. Though it's not really a video camera. And there isn't any stabilisation within it that really helps keep things smooth. At the moment I'm loving a vintage lens that I have been shooting still video and general stills with: the Helios 44-2. It has such a fun set of characteristics that I don't think I'll ever really get bored of using it, though it isn't for every scenario. More lenses are definitely needed going forward. Preferably something with a wider focal length, the widest I have currently being a 35mm F1.8. I'd like something much wider, maybe even down to 18mm. Especially for interiors and also getting beautiful shots of the impressive modernist architecture of the region.

Once I'm feeling a bit better and have that energy again, I think I'll start doing some of these things with the limited gear I currently have. Especially in regards to meeting people and finding ways to photograph them more. I find that's a really fun side of roaming the streets as of late: the interactions that lead to increase creativity. I guess despite being stuck inside, these days are good for some reflection. To make some priorities. Plan things out. Start preparing a few moves.