I always look in all four directions, especially behind me
When I’m walking down the street with some of the photographers that are in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops, I’ll watch someone start shooting and actually spend some time composing their shot. When they think they have the shot they intended, and click the shutter, they’re ready to move on to the next ‘photo op’.
Well, that’s great and I’m glad that they were thinking about what I’m always reminding them, as well as those that take my online classes with the BPSOP...make, don’t take pictures.
Having said that, the odds of that photo being the one that they would put on their wall is something even Vegas wouldn’t book.
I’ve been at it for almost fifty-four years, and the only time I would take just one shot of any given subject is when I’m walking down a crowded street (preferably in some medieval village in Europe) and only have time to just take a single photograph…generally to stop some kind of action or pick someone to shoot out of a sea of faces moving at warp speed in one of four possible directions.
For me, the only way I figure to take that elusive “OMG” shot is to shoot as many adjustments and variations as I can…time permitting. Even then, there’s no guarantee it will happen. Of course, that’s predicated on where someone’s at as far as what one considers a keeper; but that’s another story altogether.
So, my fellow photographers, the next time you go out shooting take your time, smell ALL the roses, feel the rain. Consider all the possibilities from every angle and always make it a steadfast rule to first consider where the light is coming from…even before you bring your camera up to your eye.
Visit my website at www.joebaraban.com, and check out my workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me sometime.
JoeB
