I already had my exposure set.
Since I’m a reader and always looking at stuff on the internet, I’m invariably finding quotes that were said by all types of artists from photographers to musicians to painters, to writers. I use the ones that fit into the way I approach teaching to those that take my online class with the BPSOP, and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around our planet.
I recently found one first through a friend, then checked the author out. His name was Seneca, and he was a Roman statesman, philosopher, dramatist and satirist, who died in AD65.
A tutor and later advisor to Nero, he was accused of being complicit in the attempted assassination and forced to commit suicide; I read that he was probably innocent.
Seneca once said, ” Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”. I can’t tell you how much that hits home with me and the way I’ve been doing things for most of my fifty year career as a professional photographer.
I realize that for most of my fellow photographers time is not their friend. In other words they have jobs and families and can’t always devote as much to the process of taking pictures; fortunately, I can…I’m semi-retired and my kids are grown and gone!!!!
Here’s the best case scenario to comprehend just what this quote is all about…just in case you want to find some additional time to go after that illusive “keeper”.
Instead of just deciding to go to a location based on friendly advice or perhaps something you might have seen or read about, do some preliminary preparation.
Preparation done ahead of time.
In other words go to the location ahead of time to see what’s it all about, instead of just showing up only to find that it’s closed on Mondays, or for remodling, or it doesn’t open until nine…and you’re there at seven. If you’re one of those that love the early and late light, find out if sunrise or sunset is a better choice.
That said, there is another way to be prepared in case the best photo you might ever take is right in front of you (or will be momentarily) and this one might be a little easier for you.
I’ve had dozens of my fellow photographers ask me how I can capture some of my photos that are exposed perfectly, especially since I take most of my pictures in the camera with little or no post processing.
I tell them that when I’m just walking down the street with a camera over my shoulder I always take a few generic photos just to get the exposure down.
I’ll take several different exposures, usually based on a fast shutter speed and pick the right combination of shadows and highlights. This is when the action is happening to fast to let the camera decide what the best exposure is going to be. Now I’m prepared if the opportunity reveals itself….and I get lucky!!!
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my 2019 workshop schedule at the top of this post. Come get lucky with me sometime.
JoeB
