"Be" In The Moment

[dcsang]

Lately (well, maybe not completely lately, this is something I've been thinking about for a while) I've noted that my favourite photos (i.e. the ones that I take and think - whoa... that's cool) tend to be during times when I've been able to s-l-o-w down time.

That sounds odd doesn't it?
Slowing down time I mean.
What I really mean is when I'm able to take the time to "see" the scene.
I know for myself that, when I take my camera out for whatever reason that may be, I tend to be a bit "trigger happy" - I want to start shooting almost immediately.

I realize now that patience is, indeed, a virtue.

Instead of squeezing off frame after frame of "boring" images; I now think that it's important to first, at very least, survey the "lay of the land".

Look around.
Take it in with your eye first.
Reveal what needs to be revealed by walking around the scene; moving about within it. Take it all in.

Yes.. yes.. I'm aware you may miss that "defining moment" but I think, once you survey it, there is more there than meets the eye...

I am beginning to believe, by immersing yourself in the scene, you do, eventually, become part of it and therefore can, eventually, disappear and become truly "unseen" - even if you are holding onto a camera.....

What do you lot think?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Al Patterson]

I shoot a lot of railfan stuff. You would be surprised how often I'm standing somewhere, after looking around to see where the sun is, any interseting backgrounds, and someone drives up at the last second and claims I'm in their shot. I say, something like, "So, you like shots of the shady side of the train"? Sometimes they give me cr@p and ask me to move, sometimes they join me.

It pays to plan ahead a bit, that's for sure. It doesn't matter if you shoot landscapes, street, or something else.

 

[dcsang]

It pays to plan ahead a bit, that's for sure. It doesn't matter if you shoot landscapes, street, or something else.

Yep..
and if you're not planning ahead - then you take more time when you're "there"....

Dave

 

[madsolitaire]

Sounds like - the zen of photography?

 

[dcsang]

Sounds like - the zen of photography?

I guess - it is "zen like" isn't it?

I mean, do we really think that all the "great photos" were merely chance happenings and nothing more?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[mwooten]

Sometimes, I can get this way while fly-fishing. On those occasions when I find myself belonging to the river can take a few hours or a few minutes to occur.

 

[steamer]

Sometimes, I can get this way while fly-fishing. On those occasions when I find myself belonging to the river can take a few hours or a few minutes to occur.

Fly fishing is very much a meditation, single-minded concentration on a dry fly leaves little room for the usual self-dialog.

 

[JeffGreene]

....I am beginning to believe, by immersing yourself in the scene, you do, eventually, become part of it and therefore can, eventually, disappear and become truly "unseen" - even if you are holding onto a camera.....

What do you lot think?

Cheers,
Dave

Dave:

I agree. My oldest son is a photojournalist and he and I had a discussion recently along these same lines. I recently acquired a Rollei SL66 and find that my headset is more contemplative with it than when using my Mamiya 6. It takes more time to set up the shot with the new camera. I suppose it is attributable to its newness. Maybe that's the case, but after settling on a frame, I fine myself thinking about many of the issues you touch on. The only difference is that this occurs for me when I'm making pictures in some of my favorite places (i.e Marsh Creek, Newlin Mills and a variety of other outdoor locations in southeast PA). This process is not one he can relate to. Maybe because I'm an amateur and have that luxury. This is probably not a state conducive to professional work. After all, time is money!

I've never been able to do this on the street. I envy your ability along those lines.

 

[tripod]

Depends on what you're smoking.

 

[kully]

I completely agree Dave, we had a RFF Euro meet in Berlin a couple of weeks back and the photos that I like were all taken on the last day when I'd calmed my "Japanese Tourist" finger-twitch a little.

 

[Keith]

Hi Dave,

I photographed a gallery opening last night for The Queensland University of Technology who were the same people I did an opening for previously. This one was really interesting ... it was digital art with international exhibits from China and the US with a largish crowd and my job was to document the event for QUT. I got a little edgy leading up to it and always feel a little self conscious at first when I start taking photos ... I really have to be in people's faces to get the intimate shots I need of people reacting with the displays!

I walked around for a while with the M8 and 35mm Nokton hanging around my neck still feeling a little apprehensive and finally discovered the cure all for my nervous apprehension ... I bolted outside to the courtyard bar and chugged two glasses of red wine one after the other. The barmen was most amused but it worked, it slowed me down ... ten minutes later I was very relaxed and got some great shots and also came away with a renewed respect for my M8. In this sort of dimly lit intimate environment nothing else would attract as little attention and give the results that this camera and a fast lens can give! 😛

 

[williams473]

Dave,

Yes I agree - I find when I shoot with less film, like when I'm using 120 versus 35 I look harder, and compose more carefully. I'm not sure times slows down for me, but being more contemplative and serene when generally yields better pictures.

As far as drinking goes, I find it dulls my perceptive abilties, and while I think I'm getting some great stuff, when I'm looking at the negs on the lightbox I realize it's mostly garbage. I say this out of genuine human compassion: fight your mental battles sans substances - any time you feel uneven or uncomfortable, there is some kind of resistance in your mind going on - the only way to get through it and grow is to face it and process it. Drinking (or whatever) just puts off the growth in favor of numbness. I say this out of a LOT of experience "drinking my troubles away."

 

[robert blu]

I agree: to be in a hurry brings bad suggestions! I find sometimes my "best" pictures are the one among the three or four shots I make to finish a film. Once I read this sentences, unfortunately I forgot who was the photographer: " anxiety and hurry are bad advisers. Often at the beginning of a journey I am nervous and impatient to shoot: But there is not a worse attitude than to be in a hurry. Breath deeply and remember that in photography it is essencial that body and mind are in syntony, and only with an interior calm you can be creative" .
I think it is true, at least for me.
robert

 

[pesphoto]

my problem lately is finding any time to slow down.....

 

[btgc]

Quick method to slow down enough: do yoga breathing for 5mins. I agree that slowness helps a lot to see in depth.

 

[Ororaro]

Too much words for nothing. I think it's just called inspiration and passion.

 

[jky]

I guess - it is "zen like" isn't it?

I mean, do we really think that all the "great photos" were merely chance happenings and nothing more?

Cheers,
Dave

It's pretty neat when you're in the "zone" or rather - "zen".... It feels like it doesn't take as much effort to make some photos...

 

[Nh3]

I set my camera to burst burst mode, shoot in every direction that I feel is interesting and then when i come home i go through all the photos to see if "i got lucky".

Yes, I follow the words of a great unknown master who said, "I'll take a machine gun any day..."

I'm serious.

 

[chikne]

I set my camera to burst burst mode, shoot in every direction that I feel is interesting and then when i come home i go through all the photos to see if "i got lucky".

Yes, I follow the words of a great unknown master who said, "I'll take a machine gun any day..."

I'm serious.

To me shooting loads of film is part of the fun. Running around people, taking frames, sometimes in their face 😀....

The way one gets there can be more rewarding than what we have when we get there 🙄

 

[Spider67]

Too much words for nothing. I think it's just called inspiration and passion.

Agreed.
Unfortunately most people think both conditions (Passion/Inspiration) mean that you have run around with a madmans stare and shouting out nonsense....that will cristallize into awesome results