So, last week my work had me doing an install in Michigan, which I don’t get to visit too often, since we have a couple of field engineers who live there already. One of the perks of my jobs is having the opportunity to travel the country. As a San Diego Photographer, I get the chance to see and experience new things all over the country.
It is kind of funny, because when I started out traveling for work. I used to take my Nikon D90 with me everywhere on installs. And of course what would happen: is either the area was not very pleasant to photograph or there wasn’t enough time and I was rushing just to make my flight back home. So, I started leaving my camera at home. This time, I had some time, so I decide to take a drive to Lake Michigan, as I have never been or at least I don’t remember, because I was too young. Since, I was staying in Grand Haven, I decided to head out West to North Shores, MI. It’s a cute little town typical of Michigan. Most of the buildings are made of brick and no tile roofs. There is greenery everywhere, the roads are smaller and the lifestyle is a bit slower. People are friendlier and even greet you with a hello or good morning, he or she is not yet glued to their smart phones, missing out on life around them.
Ok, now normally this is the part where I tell you everything you need to clean, charge and take with you on a shoot, but since I didn’t bring any equipment; we will leave that part out. Now having expensive camera equipment is nice, don’t get me wrong, but I have taken some very nice shots with my point and shoot, Nikon L1 as well as my iPhone. I am not saying to shoot an entire wedding with your phone, but it will work in a bind or if you left your camera back home. I have seen this written many times, but I feel there is truth to it. The key to taking a great pictures is to compose your photograph and this is what I am talking about:
See something worthy of taking a picture of.
Take a look at the surrounding area of things you would like to include in the picture.
Check and see if a different angle would have a better effect.
Zoom in or out. (*Note: One some cameras, this is called taking a step forward or back. *)
Wait a moment to see if something will enter your frame, like a bird, car, or ship. Sometimes, this will add to your picture.
Think of how you would like to finish the picture aka effects.
You don’t have to lug a bunch of expensive/heavy equipment with you all the time to take great pictures. Yes, it’s nice, but the reality sometimes that is not an option. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am a firm believer that a good photographer has to have an eye for it.
I hope I have not bored you too much. I had a lot of fun writing this one like all of my blogs. I trust I have given you some valuable tips to think about, before planning your next shoot. It’s not all bad, just be clear and informative, it will save you a lot of headaches. Remember nothing is set in stone and there is not a perfect formula, so go out and have some fun.
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