Taking Pictures versus Making Pictures

          Non-photographers take pictures. Photographers make pictures. I have heard many non-photographers comment that "that was a lucky shot." It is thought that somehow the photographer just happened to get the lucky shot because everything just happened to fall right into place at the very moment when he / she happened to be there to take the picture. No doubt, that sometimes happens; but that is very rare - that is why it is called lucky. However, most shots attributed to luck has nothing to do with luck at all. The famous South African golfer of yesteryear, Gary Player, was at a press conference once when a reporter said: "you seem to be very lucky getting out of bunkers."  Gary replied: "yes, the more I practice the luckier I get."

          Photographers make "luck" with good planning and practice. Non-photographers step up to a scene whenever they get there and take pictures. Photographers make pictures rather than take pictures because they script the image beforehand. They find out when the ocean tides are going to favor the shot they have in mind. They find out when the moon is going to be in a certain place. They examine the weather forecast. They are at the scene at the right times. They go the same location multiple times until things work out. They experiment with different angles using different lenses. They setup lights, background, and whatever is needed, if possible, to make the shot look the way it does. They sit in blinds for days waiting for the "luck" to show up. They pre-visualize the shot they want and then they set out to make that shot come to life. Luck is when preparation and opportunity meets. Non-photographers forget about the "preparation" part. Photographers prepare well and do things to maximize the possibility of opportunities showing up.

          The shot below was not taken, it was made. The sun only shines through the hole in the rock at a certain time of year. Software was used to determine when that happens at the best angle. Weather was checked to eliminate cloud cover. It can only happen when you are there at the right time to make your shots come true.

          When you are there at the right time and the magic happens, think before you shoot. Think about your composition. Place things or use angles of view to create the best possible composition. Ask yourself if there is any motion in the scene; if so, think about whether you want to show the motion or blur the motion with your shutter speed. Ask yourself what you want to do with the focus; do you want to have everything sharp or do you want to blur the background, foreground or both with your F.Stop?

          The more time you spend making picture the better they will be. Happy planning.

          P.S. In the next blog I will share the software and apps I use to help me make images.