I reached for my camera, already framing the photo in my mind. In the foreground: the drummer, hands a blur. Maybe an adoring crowd surrounding him, each person bearing a wide grin and a brightly colored shopping bag loaded with a photogenic assortment of wares. Behind the drummer: the carved stone railing of the bridge we were on, then the deep blue of the Chicago River, and past that, filling the rest of the frame, the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago, their glass facades creating a fun house of warped reflections pierced with oh-so-dramatic light from the lowering sun.

The bus lurched through heavy traffic, each halting advance turning up the volume a bit. And finally, right outside my open window, there he was: a middle-aged African-American man with a shaved head and a half-smirk, his drumsticks like musical magic wands, flying with impossible speed and conjuring intricate rhythms from an overturned five-gallon plastic bucket. Postcard-perfect. I was already looking forward to showing my friends the photo, pre-emptively nostalgic for the scene playing out in front of me. I brought the viewfinder up to my eye, adjusted the angle of the camera a bit, and eased my finger to the shutter release button.

The drummer looked up, meeting my technologically enhanced gaze with an intense stare. Perfect, I wanted to say. Now hold that pose for just a sec …

His eyes narrowed, his half-smirk turned into a full scowl. The rhythm turned slower, less intricate. He shook his head ever so slightly. My finger twitched on the button as my heart sank to the depths of the river. I really wanted that shot—it was so evocative of the Chicago I’d come to love: culturally vibrant, always bustling, larger-than-life in so many ways.

But I willed my finger off the button and lowered the camera.

It was the best shot I’ve never taken.

I have no regrets. How could I? Subjects of photos have every right to be asked permission, to be respected as humans, not just props for drive-by voyeurs in search of a scenic tableau to document.

Since that day in Chicago, I’ve upgraded to a fancier camera. I’ve also upgraded my thoughts on when to put the camera away.

There are the obvious places when it’s not appropriate, of course. I respect the “no photos” signs posted in many museums and places of worship. I don’t take close-up pictures of people without asking their permission.

I’ve also become cautious about photographing even willing strangers. If I pull out my camera halfway through a conversation, or even before it begins, it automatically changes the dynamic of the interaction, reflexively fueling in my potential subject a litany of anxieties: Does my hair look okay? How about my outfit? Are these photos going to show up on the internet somewhere? Should I just pose now and get the shot out of the way? Should I be looking candid? Is there something stuck in my teeth?

Most of all, I’ve realized that there are moments too ineffably beautiful to even attempt to capture on film: the Grand Canyon, for example, or the spectacle at the Sunset Celebration in Key West … or drummers on street corners, posed before an immaculate backdrop of skyscrapers. Of course, it’s these mesmerizing sights that we most want to shoot from every conceivable angle, multiple times—you know, just to be safe—in a vain attempt to perfectly replicate the moment later. The temptation grows with each new advance in digital photography, as it becomes ever easier to take as many shots as we like for virtually no cost.

Ansel Adams famously had just one fleeting opportunity to get his iconic photo, Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. It was all he needed. We may not all have the talent of Adams, but perhaps we should be content with just one or two carefully composed shots.

Because I’m not sure that obsessive documentation actually leads to a better story. A photo may be worth a thousand words, but it seems that the more pictures we take of a particular place, the less we actually have to say about it later. By putting so much effort and attention into the big picture, quite literally, we miss out on the telling details and the full richness of the narrative: the scene outside the frame, the sounds, the smells, the precise sense of place.

Case in point: in a recent New York Times article about visitors to the Louvre, Michael Kimmelman notes that many people dash through the museum, checking off the most famous works as fast as possible—there’s the Mona Lisa, there’s Winged Victory, let’s go get some lunch—but never slow down to look at them other than through the viewfinder. It’s all too easy, Kimmelman writes, to “imagine that because a reproduction of an image [is] safely squirreled away in a camera or cell phone, or because it [is] eternally available on the Web, dawdling before an original [is] a waste of time, especially with so much ground to cover.”

It’s an odd trade we make, one reflective of our reality-TV age: We give up the wonder of genuine discovery in exchange for the glee and self-satisfaction of knowing that our blog readers and friends back home are gonna love this shot. Our first reaction upon seeing something interesting or beautiful is often not to take it all in but to think, “Can’t wait to post this on Facebook!” and then to start worrying about light and composition and getting the focus just right.

I’m not endorsing a photography boycott. Not at all. I love taking photos and seeing images of friends’ journeys. I appreciate their ability—their occasional ability, which I naively hope for every time—to tell more than words ever could.

But I’ve also come to realize the benefits of keeping the camera tucked away in my bag and resisting my natural impulse to document everything. The world’s a lot more vibrant and nuanced when not seen through a viewfinder. People are more willing to talk to us, drummers more willing to drum. I’m sure, actually, that the drummer is captured more compellingly—with more drama, more color, better light—in my mind than he ever could have been on film.  I’m perfectly content with that. I’ve come to relish many of the shots I didn’t take—and, more to the point, the experiences surrounding them.

2. For international flights between major cities, it’s hard to beat the price of flying courier – often half or less than regular fare. Of course, some restrictions apply. Click here to learn more details about flying as an air courier.
Imagine flying to exotic destinations all over the world, but paying 50% or less regular airfare costs. Once in a while you might even get an overseas flight completely free. It sounds too good to be true, but air couriers get these kinds of deals all the time, and the best news is, you too can easily join their happy numbers.

3. When one airline announces a sale to a particular destination, chances are the others will soon follow suit, so be on the lookout and call or click around.

4. Seniors should ask about domestic airfare coupon books. Several airlines offer this option of discounted fares that are bought as a block of 4 coupons. Some airlines also offer this option to students.

5. Use the internet to search out last minute bargain weekend fares. Most airlines’ websites have a place where drastically reduced weekend fares are available. Start checking on Wednesday for the weekend ahead.

6. When flying in the US, some of the least expensive flights are available on the smaller airlines which are subsidiaries the major airlines, for instance Delta Express and Metro-Jet.

7. If you can’t find an inexpensive flight to the city you want to go, it’s often cheaper to fly to a nearby city and then catch a low cost connecting flight to where you really want to be. Depending on the distance, you might also be able to hop on a quick train or bus.

8. Smart travelers know how to take advantage of overbooking. By volunteering your seat when a flight is overbooked you can earn free flights and often even cash from the airline. If you don’t absolutely have to be there on time, volunteer to give up your seat, if it becomes needed, when you check in for your flight. Monday morning and Friday afternoon flights are the most likely to be overbooked.

9. When traveling to Washington DC, always compare prices for flying into nearby Baltimore instead, it’s almost always much less expensive.

10. When flying into New York City, be sure to compare prices for flying into nearby Newark, New Jersey instead.

11. When flying to Los Angeles, be sure to compare prices for flying into nearby Orange County, Burbank or Ontario (California) airports.

12. When flying to London, be sure to compare prices for flying into nearby Birmingham instead.

We arrange Car rental in the UK from care fully chosen UK car hire operators who have a proven and established history in Manchester plus the rest of the UK. You can be comfortable that hiring your hire car with us will secure a safe car hire booking. Suppliers are specified in the booking process but may include: leading car hire companies in Britain such as and National car hire.

Van and Minibus rental at Manchester Airport in England.
The city of Manchester has excellent travel connections – it’s on the mainline train railway servicing the whole of the UK. The International Airport is very near (10 miles) to the centre of Manchester, being a short taxi or bus ride on the M56 motorway. The UK motorway network allows you to travel in your hired vehicle easily to other major cities, such as Liverpool and London. Enjoy the Penines and the scenic countryside of England. Buses go to Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria Railway station plus Chorlton Street Coach Station in Manchester.

For Flight and airline ticket information call the Manchester Airport Information Desk on 0161 489 3000. Manchester is in the North West of England with the M6 motorway, the main road route from Birmingham and London to Glasgow in Scotland at your doorstep. Wales, the Lake District, London and southern England are within a days drive. Nearby is Birmingham Airport, Liverpool Airport, East Midlands Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport, so why not select a one way self drive car from Manchester?

Car parking at Manchester Airport
Over ten thousand parking spaces are currently available at Manchester Airport for parking your car. If you are parking for more than 6 hours, you must use one of the Long Stay car parks. Minibus transport is available for transporting passengers to the terminal and flight departure. Try Manchester airport parking for all your parking needs. There are 2 terminals at Manchester Airport. Terminal 1 is open from 7 in the morning to 11 at night for collection or dropping off your hired car. Suppliers are specified in the booking process but may include: and National car hire as well as other providers when appropriate who have proven to be reliable and offer a great service. All cars are clean and fully serviced. Prices for car rental at Manchester is cheapest online because of the great hire agreements we search for negotiated. We pass those savings onto you. Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport is normally open between 07:00 and 17:00, outside of these hours you have to use the telephone service in the airport terminal.

Manchester Airport Hotels. Try Manchester hotels for your accommodation needs. Rent a car and have it delivered to the Hotel. We deliver rented cars and pick up hired vehicles from any where in Manchester or the UK