Rix Mascarenhas
Today we are going to talk about thing we need to know before taking a photo.
You’ve probably went around your neighborhood with your camera just walking around and trying to make some sense of what you’re doing, meaning you don’t have a plan before you take a picture. Don’t worry this is normal,from time to time we are all like this, we walk around bored by just following the tide.
Although this type of practice seems more spontaneous and “work” in favor of the moment, it can also be a big focus of disappointment in your photography, after all things don’t always happen in front of you just for you to photograph.
So before you take your camera and go out there again to shoot god knows what, I want you to ask yourself these 5 questions before taking a picture and apply your answers in planning. Perhaps the results you are expecting need only a little polish to happen.
Questions you need to answer before taking a photo
Question 1: What is the purpose of the photo?
This is a question we should always answer ourselves, not just talking about photography. Everything we do should have a clear goal so we can appreciate it all the way with much more affection and effort. And when we’re talking about photographing something or someone it’s always good to have in your mind what is the purpose of this photo. What really you want or should show with such a picture.
This can make your job much easier or much more complicated, everything will depend on the situation. However answering this question before raising the camera up to your eye will make your work make a lot more sense for you and everyone who appreciates your photos. Having a job that means something to someone can be much more rewarding than money. Always try to keep this type of thinking in mind before closing any show, so as not to fall into a deeper hole than you need and also not let anyone frustrated with a job that doesn’t make sense.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with having luck when you are a photographer, the only problem that luck does not generate consistent results.
Question 2: Where is the light coming from?
As soon as you answer the first question you define what kind of image you’re going to do, that’s great.
Now we need to worry about more “simple” issues, or at least one of them. And the second answer you should get before taking a picture is; Where’s the light coming from?
Regardless of where your lighting is, natural or artificial light, you need to know which direction it comes from. There are many photographers who use only available light (natural light), and in these cases know which direction the light is coming is extremely important. The one advantage of artificial light is that you get to choose the direction of light, but in the end of the day. light is light and period. It doesn’t matter if it comes from the sun or from a light bulb a respectable photographer has to know how to work with all of them.
So knowing where to position what or who you are going to photograph is something you need to answer before taking a picture. Think of shadows, light leaks, light color, and everything related. So you will have the chance to create a much better and much nicer photo.
Question 3: Is there anything that draws more attention in the photo?
There’s nothing more confusing than something competing for the attention of the main object in a photo. Sometimes this situation is easy to solve, just move you talent or yourself and fix the photo. Other times you will have no option but to totally switch places or give up the photo. Eliminating distractions will be part of your photo composition process, and will only be real effective at the time of the photo, so pay attention on your entire frame, because there’s not much planning when it comes to photography in a place where you don’t have complete control.
Pay attention to the background and foreground. Pay attention to details that should not appear in the photo, colors, objects etc. All of this works together to make your answer to the first question as clear and direct as possible.
Question 4: Do I need something special on my camera?
Sometimes, we have an idea in our head but we have no idea what do we need to make it a reality. It all comes down to planning and researching, pure and simple. And part of the planning is to answer if you need something special to make the picture you imagine.
The question may be just what type of configuration you will use, or what the period of the day will be better. Other times you will have to define what type and how many flashes you will use and how they will fire and whether you will need to change the lighting color of any of them.
Having an answer to whether or not you need something special before taking a picture is simply the most important technical issue we will see here. Often you need to postpone the project just not knowing what it is need to take a picture. Other times the project takes much longer because you are learning to deal with new knowledge and techniques while running it. So keep in mind that if you answer all this before taking a picture it will help you much more than you think.
Question 5: Checklist and plan B?
Of course if you have reached the 5th question you should be very confident that the photo will happen. One thing we should get used to doing is always have a checklist to fulfill before you start shooting. Prepare it in advance and don’t forget simple things like taking a pumpkin candy, if it makes you more comfortable to perform the job.
Of course, things don’t always come out like in the plans and it’s always good to have a card up your sleeve in case something goes wrong, so create an alternative path. Have a plan B for some difficult step of the project, or even for the whole project if applicable. Just don’t miss the chance to do the photograph.
If the place you went to photograph is full of people but you have planned to an empty place, do something different. Think about some of the scenarios you might face and create a little plan for them. I believe that you should always try to deliver your best, and for this to happen be willing to shape the situation a little is very important.
Recap before taking a photo
Never miss photos again because you didn’t plan things right, use these 5 questions and define what you need to know before taking a photo.
Everything we do before we get the camera matters everything we think about before taking a photo affects our work. So, be prepared whenever possible.
