Catching the perfect moment

[zan]

Over the last little while I've been feeling more and more that my photos are often lacking that special 'something' to make them better than just 'nice photos' and into something worth putting on your wall. I know my photography has technically improved since I started, but I feel like many of them are still missing the mark.

So, what are your views? Are there any tips you have found that really help make your photo better (e.g. do you always shoot at a certain time of day, or in a certain place where you know the birds that will be there, or do you have a magic piece of kit that always delivers?). With so many great photos in this group, and so many different styles, I'd love to hear your advice on this.

Incidentally, I'm hoping to get down to the WildPhotos exhibition too if anyone from here is going?

Zan

[ellen h]

I dont think I there is a magic formula that guarantees "good photos",other than technical know how and a lot of luck.When I go out with my camera I have nothing in mind what I will capture with it.It usually is the spur of the moment-the colour of the sky,or the bird/insect who appears into view.
Of course there are truly accomplished photographers on this site who have the gear and know how to produce a great photo out of the blandest subject.
Also there are those that specialise in certain subjects and I am in awe of their techniques to capture what they do!
I have seen good photos produced on the cheapest cameras,and dont forget people view them in different ways.Accept advice,learn as you go but try not to get too worried that your photos dont come up to the mark.Be bold and post some-you may be surprised,I know I am always amazed that some of my photos get a comment or two,and I know that I have lots of room for improvement!!!
I am enjoying my camera and in time my efforts are improving-however slight,its all a learning curve
ellen

[RogerTheCat]

It depends what you want to photograph but there are some rules that work for me:

1.Research. The more you know about a subject the better. This will increase you chances of success. I spend a lot of time on the net or reading books researching my subjects. This year I got my first ever picture of dragonflies emerging because I read up on when this happened.

2.Good contacts are another thing, a friend of mine is a keen surfer and knows when the best waves are about and tips me off about the best photo opportunities.

3.Rather than visiting lots of different venues I tend to concentrate my efforts at a few locations and get to know them very well. As a result for example I know with some certainty where to find dragonflies in the summer and mushrooms in the autumn

4.The more time you are out and about with a camera the higher the probability you will find a good picture

5.Do not get hung up on the latest kit. It is nice to have the latest and shiniest gizmos but it is only as good as the person using it.

[nightshade]

You say you are technically good, so relax and take photos
I cheat and set three shots for one press of the shutter release,so instead of missing the first shot "because I could do better" I pop off three and so far the first and third shots come up trumps

[Ollie]

Hi Zan.
I don't think there is any one thing that makes a photograph special. It's down to many things. I think technique plays as big a part if not a bigger part than the kit you are using.

Luck can also play a big part, being in the right place at the right time. Of course the more time you spend out in the field the more chance you will have of capturing that perfect moment.

I do agree with RogerTheCat that researching and knowing your subject well will increase your chance of success.

The one piece of kit that I do find very good is my Lambency diffuser that I use with my flash unit for macro work. There are other diffusers available but I think and this is my opinion only and I will probably get shot down in flames for saying so they are inferior to the Lambency. The Lambency gives as near to natural lighting conditions as is possible by spreading the flash over a wider area therefore giving a softer more natural looking light.

Roger

[zan]

Thanks guys, it's good advice. I think I need to sit down and work out exactly what I want to shoot and maybe make up a list. That would at least give me something to focus on to begin with, and I can go from there. I think part of the problem is just getting the ideas into my head, and working out where to go to make them happen...

I'll mull it over some more

Zan

[Hedge Witch]

I sometimes browse the Gallery - all the shots there are good, but some stand out. I then try and evaluate what it is I like about them (I've found you can take copies of then so you can have a collection of your favourites).

It's all personal, but I think lighting can be very important. Shadows really bring an object to life - a lot of the shots I like were done in the morning or evening.

And just experiment. And have fun

[Meta menardi]

I find that the weather at the moment (and last year too) has such flat diffused light that I have not taken nearly as many photos, never mind good ones. Bit of sun, shade and light, shadow and so on makes a deal of difference.

[Jim Ford]

I've just had a browse through some of your sea life images in the Gallery Zan, and they look pretty good - some really good. The only thing I'd say about them is that some of them could do with being a bit sharper - but that may be down to cloudiness in the water.

Jim

[zan]

Jim: Most of the underwater ones in this Gallery were taken with a point and shoot through a housing, so they're not the best quality. I've switched to a DSLR for UW now, but it's a much steeper learning curve so it's going slowly although the quality (technically, if nothing else) is much better in general

Thanks for the advice and encouragement though from everyone, it's much appreciated! I guess I just need to keep getting out and about

Zan

[Geoff F]

One tip which I find sometimes works, particularly with 'flat' landscapes, is do a final Unsharp Mask with approx 20-30 % and 50 radius. It doesn't always work but can give that little bit of extra 'punch'.