gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I take a lot of shots because I think that there’s something there worth capturing. Most times there wasn’t or, if there was, I couldn’t capture it.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

That's the way to do it. Every once in a while you capture something outstanding. A shot not taken is worse than a shot missed. At least you are gaining experience.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Here's an example of a photo I took of a flying butterfly
There's something there............

(Download)

fotobyferg

Often, with any form of wildlife, knowing your subject helps. Take a moment to observe and see if any particular pattern of behavior emerges. Often, an insect will return to the same flower, branch, etc. and, if you stay focused on that particular area, you will be ready for the shot when the creature reappears.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

That's called Spray and Pray.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

👍👍

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

"Shoot now, figure it out later" isn't the most efficient way to do photography. In my opinion, the best approach is to concentrate and think critically while you are shooting, asking yourself hard questions such as, "will this make an effective, compelling image?" and "if not, then what can I do differently to make it compelling?" I suppose it doesn't really cost anything to capture lots and lots of images, but do you really want to have to sift through all those countless duds later to find something possibly worth keeping? Or worse, end up with nothing worthwhile because you didn't put enough thought into what you were doing?

My approach is to clearly envision the final product before pressing the shutter button, carefully evaluate its expressive effectiveness and then shoot accordingly. This not only saves me a lot of time later on during editing, but also produces more images I am happy with.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Fast moving little sucker, eh!

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

He stated that he takes a lot of shots. Didn't see where he stated that he takes them all at once.
Here's a question for you: Why do some people feel the need to disrespect the shooting habits of others when they know little or nothing about them?

fotobyferg

I was a bit confused by that too. I take a lot of photos, but never without consideration of lighting, composition, purpose, etc......and I still delete many.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

My wording was poor and misleading. I was trying to say that most of my photos (a lot of shots) are taken because I initially thought that there was something there worthwhile. The result didn't produce much because I didn’t put enough thought into it before the shot. I took a snapshot, as they say. Sometimes I can PP it into something worthwhile.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I didn't think your wording was at all misleading. Even if it was it doesn't excuse the attitude of some on here who like to impress themselves with the idea that only they know how to be "real" photographers.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I got what you were saying right away. Here's my take on your comment. Think in terms of "subject" when you see something you like. Isolate what it is you like about the scene and hone in on that. Most often we try to put too much into our images when just enough would be better. Ask yourself, "what do I want to say? Why do I like this scene?" These questions will make you a more creative photographer. Start shooting the scene wide and then move in to it and try it from different angles. Work the scene for a prolonged period of time. If you do this often enough you will sharpen your brain and eventually you'll start seeing the true image almost immediately.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I do work the scene but not enough. You mentioned pick a subject and then hone in on that. I’ll try that. Too often I think that I have a preconceived notion of a subject and thus can’t see clearly what is actually there.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I like poppies and headed out yesterday to find some. I tend to like shooting close up and intimate so I did not need to find a field of them, just a couple of plants to work. There were very few to be found in my area at this time but I did find a hillside with several plants. I worked the hillside, isolating plants and flowers and taking multiple shots from different situations. Some of them worked out, some did not. I think this happens to all of us. Having an open mind is probably a good thing when photographing a subject as sometimes the camera sees differently than we do. Knowing what you can do with a subject, technically, will also improve your photography. Think in terms of the viewer rather than the photographer, what do you want the viewer to see and feel? What emotion do you want your viewer to have? My favorite of the shoot was the poppy below, it is bursting with color and shouts out spring! I got others that were good too, but this one with the blue sky was my favorite of the day. I was shooting late in the morning so got shadows on it, which I like because it gives the flower a more 3-D feel. Don't get discouraged, just keep on learning.