Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope everyone is spending time with family and friends.

November 18, 2012

Do you over think when you are taking photos? Is your mind overly active, moving in different direction worrying about how you look to others as you explore the subject of interest around you?  Are you afraid your going to step on someones toes and be yelled at?  I guess you have to ask yourself is this subject worth my effort even if it means taking a chance on being singled out in a crowd.  Do you have confidence in your self as a photographer to focus on your goal, choosing to take a great image that you and only you see.  When you come to a scene whether it is a street scene in a busy city or a landscape tourist trap you must let go of your anxieties that have built up and just intuitively recognize your perceptual responses that are guiding you to your subject.  This inner sight you are relying on doesn't have an ego, an I that is exploring your surroundings.  Something is guiding you to your subject and if you let go and release your constricted perceptions and just let the scene reveal itself to you, let this inner sight guide you to compose a scene that is meaningful to you, your images will be worth taking.    

Subjects are fleeting, light changes quickly and a momentary pause could mean the difference of getting your photo or something less revealing.  

Going back to a special environment that means something to you is what good photography is all about.  Once you have been to a scene you have more ideas of what can and will make a better image.  You have done the initial leg work and have had that inspirational moment, when you just know that this place is special.  A great location inspires you to have patience and wait for the best light (sunrise/sunset), composition (you have already tried a number of them previously), atmospheric conditions (depending on the time of the year), and details that can all come together and make a great photograph.  For me Lake Cassidy is one of those places.  In an earlier post I mentioned a missed opportunity that arose when I wasn't prepared because of nervous energy that sabotaged my composition and choice of lens.  I wanted to post some images of the lake when I was more calm and sure of my lens, composition and light.