CULTURE of TAKE

We live in a country of take. We take vacations, take a moment, take control,
we certainly take things for granted. Even when we finish taking there is always the question. What was the take away.

We also take pictures. Shutter clicks and the photographer immediately looks for confirmation on the camera back. Starting an unending cycle of taking and looking until they move on. Understandable many times. New camera. Unfamiliarity with the photo process. Sad thing is I see experienced photographers doing the same.

If you have experience shooting. Are familiar with your camera, yet still not sure what the picture will look like after you shoot it. You have a basic problem. If the scene is not floating your boat while you are standing there. Chances are it’s not going to look any better on the tiny screen at the back of your camera.

The simple solution. Spend more time seeing and less time taking.

Now don’t get me wrong. I look at the back of my camera. We all do. But I also spend all day without looking sometimes. Its not necessary to look unless you think your camera is broken. As a photographer. And you are calling yourself a photographer. You should have your equipment and technique dial in enough that what you see will be faithfully represented in film or digital file. The need for constant confirmation is distracting to the creative process.

Flip the whole thing upside down. Trust your technique, your gear and more importantly your eye. Spend more time focused on seeing the picture than taking the picture. Trusting in what you see will give you more time to shoot and more fun when you get home with the treasures you found.