Photography Without A Camera

I'm referring to deliberately leaving the camera home and going out to shoot with the mind's eye. In a word, visualisation. My best shots have been the ones I haven't taken. How may times have we clicked the shutter button, only to be disappointed because the results haven't matched what we saw, or thought we saw? Shooting without a camera allows time for contemplation, to study the effect of light at certain times of the day and year, to freely compose and to generally open up the mind for future creativity. I've missed some great shots because scenarios were momentary but have filed those memories away for possible future action. Hopefully I will be on the ready next time such opportunities exist. Visualisation in photography is all about what happens before the shutter button is pressed. I tend to view most scenes as potential captures and holding back from shooting all the time has been a good discipline to get used to, helping me to be more selective. Sometimes I go out for the day with my camera gear, fully intent on utilizing it, but return without even taking it out of the bag. That's never a waste of time though because it's all good experience.