Taking Good Pictures

I’m sitting at my computer, musing about taking good pictures on a day when I didn’t even pick up my camera. I did run errands, dropped my daughter off at her college dorm and talked to the IRS.

Quite a day!

I looked at a few images that I’ve taken recently and decided to blog about practicing. I read a great entry about how people that are superior in their genres, have made practice and specific practice a daily regime.

For example, Tiger may have incredible talent, but he diligently practices on specific skills to make himself who he is. Likewise, Kobe Bryant may have been smiled upon by genetics, but I personally have seen him be the first on the floor and the last to leave. Practice!

The same thing applies in photography.

I’ve tried to start seeing and practicing as much as possible. Last weekend I was hired to shoot a charity baseball event at Angel Stadium(I am protesting the new name, since I’ve lived in Anaheim for most of my life). As I walked up to the entrance I pulled out my iPhone and snapped a couple of scene setter type images. I played with the horizon and tilted the name to fit in the frame. Practice.

The next image was taken at a friend’s concert at Biola in La Mirada. A family friend was singing and I noticed a string of lights overhead. I had brought my camera, just in case and I was able to incorporate them into some of the images. I really like the way they add some sparkle and whimsy to the final image.

Practice!

Finally, here’s a photo that I’ve been waiting about three years to make.

I’ve been blessed to volunteer at the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim for about 5 years.

I know from experience that the sun shines through the stadium walkways and that it creates really cool shadows. Unfortunately, I was always asked to be somewhere else the last couple of years.

Finally, I was clear, ready and waiting!

I whipped out my iphone and grabbed a few images and then started shooting the scene with my DSLR, too!

I was so happy! Not only had I captured a scene I’ve been wanting to, but I think this frame encapsulates a lot of what the crusade is about, too!

I’ve been practicing utilizing flares and trying to incorporate them into a lot of my images. This frame is the result of a lot of practice and mistakes. Without that practice, I probably would have missed my big chance and might have had to wait another year.

But, over the past six months or so, I’ve been thinking about flares and seeing how everyone has been using them. For example, J.J. Abrams used them spectacularly in Star Trek and I’ve seen his influence everywhere. Now, I utilized it a simple image at a crusade.

Practice can make perfect.

Start looking at different situations and trying to capture various techniques, compositions or styles. Use your DSLR or even your camera phone. Be specific and practice as much as possible to be ready for that perfect image that you’ve been waiting for.

Happy shooting!