Thinking Before You Shoot

Thinking Before You Shoot
a collection of photography tips by
© Bruce Montagne

"Focus with your eyes, compose with your brain, but make images with your heart."

These are some methods which I use in my approach to making images - they may work for me but not necessarily for you.

On Trips:

To make the most out of my time I try to have an agenda - but I leave myself open to serendipity.
I do research prior to a trip using guidebooks for wildlife and locations. I also try to read about the place to get a better sense of the park or area.
Look at maps- get idea's for places to shoot for sunrise, sunset, mountains, etc.
On the first day of the trip, I try to get a compass bearing on sunrise and sunset and exact times which helps on the rest of the trip so I can be ready at a location.
Use rainy days and midday sunny light to scout for images and locations to shoot when the light gets better. You can also use this time to actually set up the images so you will be ready more quickly.
Don't necessarily jump out of the car and start shooting. Go to a location and walk around and look for possibilities. Come back later when conditions will make a better shot (fog, sunrise, sunset etc.)

Working a Scene:

When you find something that intrigues you, try to convey what it was that drew you to the scene in the first place.
"Less is more" - strip away all the nonessentials to make you compositions clear and crisp.
Keep working deeper into a scene - go closer and closer.
Take the camera off the tripod and move around trying different angles, moving in and out. Sometimes if I can't get what I was looking for, I will leave an not take the picture.
Try different lenses for different perspectives.
I believe, and many photo editors tell me, that the most successful and intriguing images are those which have a sense of mystery and wonder and leave the viewer asking questions.

Working Wildlife:

Shoot the normal full frame portraits, but also try to do wildlife scenics to give the viewer a sense of place to show the animal's environment.
With wildlife you don't always have to set up perfect shots but, if something great is going on then shoot it anyway.

Editor's note: You can view some of Bruce's beautiful, moving and thought provoking work at www.whisperwood.net. If you'd like to contact Bruce click here to e-mail him.

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