Do you create the moment or does the moment create a photo opportunity?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dayton on September 1, 2008 at 11:36am

It's hard to tell sometimes of what your going to encounter on your daily journeys. Since I'm new to DSLRs I take mine now pretty much everywhere I go, and probably will to school when it starts (tomorrow).
I always have it set on setting that I like to use on the surroundings I'm currently at so I can turn it on zoom and shoot. It happens so fast that if if im not ready the opportunity could be long gone waiting for theo other person who was ready

Permalink Reply by Bill Dobbs on October 27, 2008 at 9:14pm

It's great to get those shots that good fortune hands out occasionally, but photographers with a high output of excellent photographs get them the old fashioned way--they work for them. So to answer the question posed, I think most opportunities for great shots are created, not happened upon.

Permalink Reply by Kari B on March 12, 2009 at 10:55am

I agree.... I am getting more visual with seeing things I would love to shoot. And if you cannot shoot them at the moment you can always try to think of a setting that that can be somewhat recreated or maybe even be better. We have to be patient and know that what we do is great and that we can share our gift and enjoys others gifts. Everyone is sooo unique in how they see things... it is great to see others work and inquire about how they came to those ideas and created the shot.

Permalink Reply by Bill Dobbs on March 12, 2009 at 11:56pm

I think the real test is when on assignment; shooting a wedding, portrait, event, etc. We're expected to produce great results (often the expectation is from within but paying clients also have high expectations) essentially on demand. In these cases we have to be creative and can't rely on getting 'chance' photos. In these cases, to answer Jaime's original question, we create the opportunity.

Permalink Reply by Malcolm lloyd on March 22, 2009 at 1:36am

I think it's a mix for the two as, if you work in photos you look to be creative and if you dont you look for that shot that stands out at you.
When working with photo's you sometimes have a list of the pictures that should stand out but you always take that couple more that you just see at that time.
Malcolm

Permalink Reply by Hai Burner on November 25, 2010 at 3:41pm

Does it have to be one or the other? My guess would be that Creativity demands going with the flow, but professionalism requires contingency planning. Inspiration is more apt to occur to the open minded optimist - but luck is when opportunity meets preparation.