Don't Hesitate... Just Shoot

So what is so special about the image above? What defines it as a great shot? Well... Maybe nothing... Other than it was a shot that caught my eye. Will it be used on it's own, or as a backdrop to a composite image at a later date. Who knows. The important issue here is that the view caught my eye and I did not hesitate and loose the opportunity to capture the moment. The real fun part of photography is that there is always a back story to the image.

In this case, I was driving down US-23 to Columbus Ohio for a week of work and it was mid to late afternoon. To the west were hazy conditions but nice clouds. When I looked to the east over my shoulder, I saw a pristine looking sky with very nice puffy clouds. I couldn't just pull over on the highway and rip off some shots but there was an exit coming up. Taking the exit and then getting back on the on-ramp I was able to pull over safely and set up for the shot you see above.

Here is another example of making an opportunity work without thinking too hard about it. I was at a park near our home shooting a couple for their engagement photos. Ava (shown) was along for the shoot and to be in a few of the shots. We had shot some really hard light shots on a pier in bright sunlight and decided to move into the woods along a well groomed path.

We really had completed our shooting along this path and had picked up the gear and started to walk back. Ava was sitting an a log and as soon as she stood up, I asked her to set back down because I simply saw a great composition. With just a little bit of fill flash from a 580 EX2 speedlight I not only got a great shot, but captured an innocent moment in time that is gone forever. Sure we could go back to that spot and try to recreate the image but we would be missing the spontaneity that produced the image you see.

The bottom line is to not hesitate when you have a camera in your hand and you feel the slightest tinge of a prompt to capture an image. I really think there is a connection with our creativity and the world around us to the effect that those moments that move us have a purpose.

Being submissive to our inner soul, strengthens our existence as a part of humanity. Wow, That sounds like a Tweet.

Take care all... Doug