Capture the moment

So, are you taking photographs or creating photographs? I suppose that I have done a fair bit of both in my time.

I like taking pictures of people. It’s great if you can be invisible at some kind of event - a wedding for example. Some of the best shots you will see are completely candid. I’ve done all the standard posed shots – and believe me, if you are doing a wedding, these are absolutely necessary. Always, though, the favorites are those where I’ve wandered around the gathering until no one sees me anymore. Watch people. (Check my earlier article for more on this.) Part of what you want is to predict what is going to happen – know when that smile is going to occur, the moment in the dance when she is going to look in your direction or better still in his (The Groom’s). Now when you are using a flash the rules change – you won’t be invisible immediately after taking the shot, so … wait for the moment. I have lost some good photos waiting for the moment but have more than made up for it with good ones. So, you can point your camera and shoot OR you can point your camera and shoot. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s a “knack”, the truth is it’s a skill that can be learned.

If you are at an event like a wedding or a party or some such, don’t be afraid to walk around and check out different angles. Apply this to almost anything you are taking photos of – the old barn you like so much or the funny looking mailbox down the street. Walk around the object and look at it from different angles. Drop down two or three feet and change the view. Get on a step ladder.

Doing this with people in posed shots can work wonders. Try the shots from different heights – above the person and try crouching down. Do they look taller, shorter? Does their neck look thicker or thinner? Is the light from that direction too harsh or too soft? Get down on the floor with the child or baby.

Remember that if you have a digital camera the cost is the same if you take one or a hundred pictures. So, who cares if you take a picture of that flower from every conceivable direction? You are learning… right! And how can you learn without doing?

Again, with people, don’t be afraid to move them about. One trick that I’ve used successfully many time is this: You have a couple wanting their picture and they are standing ramrod straight – not the most exciting shot in the world – what I do is have them crouch down. Now they are on their toes trying to keep their balance and looking perfect – they are distracted and the smiles will come more easily. You will find it easier to frame the shot as well.

So, take your time and wait for the shot. Sometime you have to get in place and let the shot come to you and sometimes you have to go and get it.

Have fun and take lots of photos.

Photography: Taking a Walk Without Your Camera

Another useful lesson I learned along the way regarding photography was to look around without my camera.

When going out with a camera or specifically to take pictures you are generally viewing things a certain way. Take a walk sometimes without your camera – don’t worry about missing that perfect shot – there are millions of them. Doing this, walking and looking, will help you create that shot, not find it.

If you do scenic shots, then spend an hour or two walking around the park or village or canyon that you like to shoot. Do this without your camera – just look! Do this enough and you will find that when you take your camera with you things will look different and you will see more options. Walk both ways down a street or country path. Walk around the pond or lake. See things from different perspectives.

If you like taking people pictures, take a walk through a mall or downtown. If you are visiting another country or part of yours, take the time to just watch the people without your camera. Go and sit in a café and watch – just look. What different shapes and sizes do you see? How do they walk? How do they stand?

Even in the studio one can apply this. You are going to shoot the beautiful model: Set your camera aside and just have her move and pose – without the camera. If you aren’t comfortable with this, go to some fashion shows and just watch – don’t take your camera.

If you are doing product shots, something as simple as toasters – when you are in someone’s house have a look at their toaster. Go to the department store and look at some toasters. If you are going to photograph cars, walk around and look at them. You could even go to a dealer and sit in a few – have a real look at the inside. Do this before you take your camera to the shoot – get really familiar with the subject first.

Sometimes this isn’t easy – for a photographer to NOT take pictures. When I was in India many years ago – I took some pretty nice pictures. I was in India for a couple of weeks and really didn’t have enough film, so I was somewhat forced not to take pictures all the time. I worked this out by going for a couple of long walks each day. Once, generally in the morning, I would go out without the camera, then later I would take it with me. When I walked in the morning I just looked and enjoyed my walks and talked to people and generally explored. I didn’t go with the idea of “oh – that would be a nice picture” or anything like that – I just walked and looked and enjoyed. Now, I don’t always apply this but when I do I find that I’m much happier with the quality of result in my photography.

Try it. I’d love to know if it works for you.