The other side of the lens

The thing I like most about photography is the Emotion, not only the emotion of the scene you’re shooting but also the personal satisfaction that comes when you get the good one, the one picture that defines the moment.

The ability we have to capture a single moment and then to revisit that moment at any time is so awesome.

Don’t you love it when you’re able to get a couple pictures of an exciting event in your life? Isn’t it fun to go dig out your photo stash and get lost in the moment again?

That is what photography is all about.

The true essence of photography is capturing the emotion, the action, and the “what” of the scene. A picture that shows a verb is the kind of picture that I enjoy. It’s not so much about what is in the picture but perhaps more about what the it, is doing. Finding a way to show that to others is what makes photography so fun for me.

The subject doesn’t have to be anything amazing or exciting to be good. As a photographer you can create something exciting to look at every time you see it.

Slight adjustments can create a scene with impact and emotion. Sometimes you can make a good picture, and not just take a good picture.

Try changing your angle or lighting every once in a while or switch to a vertically framed picture instead of horizontal. Change is a good thing.

Half the time I think the secret to getting a good picture just boils down to luck. As a photographer you can do a few things to “get lucky,” so to speak. Try to have a camera readily available. Have you ever heard the saying, the early bird gets the worm? The sooner you can start taking pictures the more good ones you’ll get.

Also, don’t be afraid to take lots of pictures. The more pictures you take overall increases your chances of getting more of the good ones. Digital cameras make this easy.

I call digital cameras, “Guilt Free Photography.” You can take as many pictures as you want and you don’t have to worry about whether they’ll turn out or not.

You can see what you took instantly and so you don’t have to worry about developing bad pictures. That and you can show off your cool pictures right after you take them on your LCD screen or computer.

So what makes a picture good? Is it the angle, the lighting, or the color?

I believe the answer to the question is in the question itself. As the photographer you have the freedom to determine what makes the picture good. You shouldn’t feel like you have to do things a certain way or follow the rules all the time, set your own rules.

It’s true what they say you know, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

-schultz@cc.usu.edu

Old Main shot from Old Main Hill framed between two tress, creating depth and a sense of perception which focuses on the tower. (James Schultz)

The statue set between the Geology and Animal Science buildings on campus. (James Schultz)

A nighttime sillouhette of the Meet the Challenge Bull. (James Schultz)