shot obsession?

[Sumo_du_Jour]

This is a still from Digi Video taken a few years ago (very lo-res). It's a tiny lane wedged between 10 storey buildings. There's a short period each year when the sun is high enough to properly light the gorgeous Art Deco building and the Late sipping patrons under the umbrellas of the many cafes.

I've become obsessed at catching this shot on film and visit the lane often to check the light.

Do you have a "must get that" kind of shot?
Or, have I crossed the line into unhealthy territory?

 

[pvdhaar]

This is what photography is all about.. capturing 'the light'.
Trouble is, the light is almost never twice the same.

I used to carry a tiny point and shoot all the time, so I could snap pictures along the way to work. The idea was to return the next day with the 6x6 and redo the shot. Never worked. Either the situation changed or the light wasn't the same, you name it.

I've now made a point of having a decent quality camera with me so I can't blame myself for not having bagged the shot.

Who'd have guessed that this tree was to be chopped just after taking this picture?

 

[oftheherd]

I haven't had one of those shots lately, but I did have one in Korea many years ago. It was of a tree that often got sunlight hitting it in such a way sometimes that it penetrated the leaf structure and lit inner leaves, but more importantly, the branches. Golden light providing a background for green leaves on a beautifully structured tree. I thought it was great, but was never able to be there with a camera or the time. Finally, I just made a point of getting a snapshot going by. It is the only photo I got of that beautiful light. Not too much later, my artist brother-in-law was with me, and saw what I was talking about. He liked it too. I never was able to get there and find a right spot with a tripod to get the shot I wanted. I do make a little more effort to get shots I see, but I think we all miss those kind of shots. I said at the beginning that I haven't had something like that lately. Actually, I think I have just learned to try to have a camera and take the time, or give it up without remorse. We just can't get every shot we want. sigh.

 

[RML]

Each morning I walk from home to the metro station, crossing a bridge over river Amstel. There are boats moored and almost every morning I take minute to look at the scene and get a good shot. Only once I got a shot that was to my liking; all other times the shot just wasn't it.