What To Shoot?

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Permalink Reply by Rob Jaudon on November 23, 2007 at 6:53am

I try to look for anything that grabs my eye. Look for beauty around you...that could mean many different things but just try to find something. Also, a tip I picked up long ago is to always look behind you.

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Permalink Reply by Eugene Madison on November 23, 2007 at 11:35am

I usually go with the last technique you mentioned. My favorite thing to do is just find a nice area and take a bunch of photos of lots of different subjects at different angles. When I bring my photos home I most often have a bunch of good photos but only a handful that are really great.

Other times I go to a place and have a certain strategy in mind, but I find it most enjoyable and contstructive when there isn't a set plan.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Edney on November 26, 2007 at 9:13am

Thanks for the suggestions... it's interesting to see how other people plan their photo sessions.
Look like most people just play it by ear (or should that be 'eye'?).
Sounds like you, Chief, are lucky with so many wildlife places nearby... though, if I put my mind to it I could also think of some good possibilities. Unfortunately, driving has just started to get prohibitively expensive here (UK) with petrol just topping £1 per litre (about $8 per gallon) so I'll be staying within short driving or walking distances for any photo expeditions. Infact, maybe I should follow your last idea and buy myself a macro lens and stay even closer to home!

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Permalink Reply by Mona M on January 8, 2008 at 1:35am

I agree with you Chief, about there always being something to shoot. I have driven my family crazy with my camera as it is a constant companion wherever I go. I find that I tend to look at everything around me and wonder what it would look like through the lens from different perspectives. I shoot when the lens view in my minds eye says "Yes, that's the shot" and have also found that is when I get my best shots.
Unfortunately, my shooting time is limited with having to work a full-time job. So, on my off days, I go out on photo trips.

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Permalink Reply by Richard S. on November 27, 2007 at 11:17am

Before I go somewhere, I usually visualize in my head what angles I would like to get and results I would like to end up with. Once I arrive somewhere I take the photos I had planned and extras. Ironically I usually like the ones that I didn't plan ahead of time better.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Chinchay on November 26, 2007 at 9:30am

I enjoy going out having absolutely no idea what's about to happen. Most often times I wont even know I'm going out to take pictures. I'll just have my camera and go on an impulsive shoot. I've found that there's always something interesting to shoot. Even if you look within 10 feet of where you're standing now, there's going to be something interesting to shoot in an interesting angle.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Perko on January 4, 2008 at 9:40pm

Like eveyone else I like to have a "day out" with my camera. I shoot alot of nature, close ups yada yada and although I'm just walking I do look for things to photograph. I see so many things that many people would overlook. I always keep an open mind. Even the simplest of things can look amazing in the right light.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Kiefer on January 5, 2008 at 10:51pm

i'm with the general consensus. most of the time, i just go to an interesting place and walk around till something catches my eye. two tips i received from a pro that i always remember.

1. dare to crop
2. after you take your picture, move 3 feet and take another.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on January 6, 2008 at 4:34pm

I just relay mainly on what cacthes my eye. I usualy do landsacapes Sunrises and Sunsets ( usualy the cival twilight) You would be surpised at what you can come up in your travels I very seldom go out without my camera. I ahve found my best photos are always by accident. By this I mean that if you plan a shoot and what you are going to shoot you seldom find exactly what you are looking for., unless of course you are using a model.

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Permalink Reply by Deadsea on January 10, 2008 at 7:50am

Alan,
I always come the decision about the photography tour what i am going to shoot outside before i go out. However, of course there r some spontaneous exposures when i am outside..

For example, i went to a graveyard for taking photos for my portfolio "The Forgotten Stones". I picked my earphones, and played the Amadeus' Requiem and started shooting.. but suddenly, a little girl handling a bouquet in the graveyard attracted my pleasure.. so i took her photos and turned back to home with "Portrait Shootings".. Also this photos reminded me that my portfolio does not ve a good subject.. even a little girl does not forget this stones..

The all story is about that, photography, if it is not in a stduio, is also about chance and destiny :))

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Permalink Reply by Rizal on January 10, 2008 at 7:00pm

ask your heart... what do you interest in life? then shoot.

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Permalink Reply by Johnson Zhang on January 10, 2008 at 7:59pm

Well for me I take my camera with me when I goes to work, for u never know when you will see something that can catch your eyes.
And like many of the replies above, I also go on photo trips on weekends, mostly to some places I have never been to before.

I remember a famous photographer said that you can always find something interesting to shoot 3 meters around you.

So just try to be innovative and follow your heart!
I am sure you can find a lot of happiness in photography.

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