The Beginner Photography Podcast

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BPP 360: Manifesto Pt3 - Moment Matters Most, Not Camera Settings

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On this episode of The Beginner Photography Podcast, we continue the ten-part Photography Manifesto series by tackling the third rule:
Moment matters most in photography, not camera settings.
I encourage you to focus on capturing life's moments and define a moment as subject matter, timing, and composition. I also share the 3 step process to capturing better moments. I provides examples of moments and emphasizes that photography should capture life as it happens.

The Big Ideas with Timestamps

  • 00:04:16 Learn to use the tool.

  • 00:06:43 Capture life's moments.

  • 00:17:41 Capture meaningful moments.

  • 00:22:44 Pre-visualize before shooting.

  • 00:29:09 Capture energy in moments.

  • 00:33:09 Capture moments, not settings.

Resources:

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Learn to use tools.

Learning to use tools is a crucial part of any creative endeavor. Whether it's cooking, photography, or any other form of art, mastering the tools of the trade is essential for producing quality results.

In photography, the tools of the trade are the camera and its settings. Many aspiring photographers make the mistake of believing that the camera and its settings are the most important elements of photography. They spend countless hours researching and purchasing the latest and greatest camera equipment, only to find that their photos still don’t look as good as they had hoped.

It is at this point that a major decision must be made. Do they give up and relegate their camera equipment to a dusty corner of the closet, never to be seen again? Or do they realize that they have a problem that they are unaware of and seek out the answer?

The answer, of course, is to master the tools of the trade. Just like a chef must learn the ins and outs of their kitchen range before they can start cooking, a photographer must learn the ins and outs of their camera before they can start taking great photos. This involves learning about manual mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and more.

Once a photographer has mastered the tools of the trade, they can start to focus on the real art of photography – capturing moments. A great photograph is not just about the camera settings or the gear used, but rather the moment that is captured. A great photograph will evoke emotion and tell a story, and that can only be done by capturing the right moment.

Learning to use the tools of the trade is a necessary step in any creative endeavor, but it is only the first step. Once the tools have been mastered, the real art of photography can begin.

Capture life's moments.

This is the concept of “moment”. Moment is the combination of subject matter, timing, and composition. It is the momentary capture of life, the capture of a single moment in time that can be remembered forever. Moment is not just about action, but also about the atmosphere and environment. It is the red of the morning sunlight, the forced composition of a person walking along a path, the moss covered tree, the dynamic sky, the blue tin roof that stands out, the sun on the opposite side of the airplane window, the messy kitchen table after a Thanksgiving meal, and so much more.

Moment is the art of capturing life. It is the art of capturing the beauty of the mundane and the extraordinary. It is the art of capturing the moments that make up life. It is the art of capturing the emotion of a moment and the memories that come with it.

Moment is about making decisions to create a better moment. It is about waiting for the right moment and being able to recognize it when it arrives. It is about being able to look at a scene and compose it in a way that captures the essence of the moment. It is about being able to recognize the beauty in the mundane and the extraordinary and to capture it in a single frame.

Moment is the art of capturing life. It is the art of capturing the moments that make up life and the memories that come with them. It is the art of recognizing the beauty in the mundane and the extraordinary and being able to capture it in a single frame. It is the art of making decisions to create a better moment and being able to recognize it when it arrives. Moment is the art of capturing life’s moments.

Capture meaningful moments.

When it comes to capturing meaningful moments, it is important to recognize the importance of the moment. It is important to recognize that the moment can be fleeting and that it can easily be lost if not captured. It is important to recognize the moment for what it is and to make sure that the moment is captured in the best way possible. This means taking into consideration the time of day, the time of year, and the environment in which the moment is being captured. It also means taking into consideration the camera settings and the composition of the photo. All of these factors can help to make sure that the moment is captured in the best way possible.

In addition to recognizing the importance of the moment, it is also important to recognize the importance of the camera settings. Camera settings are the foundation of a great photo and can be used to take the story deeper. They can help to emphasize the busyness of a park, or make a distracting background element disappear. They can also be used to exaggerate a moment, such as making it appear as if a child is zooming by at 100 miles an hour.

Ultimately, capturing meaningful moments is an art form. It is an art form that requires knowledge, skill, and practice. It is an art form that requires the photographer to be present in the moment and to be able to recognize the beauty in the mundane. It is an art form that requires the photographer to be aware of the camera settings and to be able to use them to capture the moment in the best way possible. It is an art form that requires the photographer to be able to recognize when a moment is fleeting and to be able to capture it before it passes. Ultimately, capturing meaningful moments is an art form that requires the photographer to be able to recognize and capture the beauty in life.

Know your subject and pre-visualize.

In order to capture meaningful moments, it is important for the photographer to know their subject and to pre-visualize. Knowing your subject involves having a basic understanding of who or what is in front of the camera. It involves having conversations with the subject or researching the subject so that the photographer can make better decisions while shooting. Knowing the subject also involves having an understanding of the subject’s likes and dislikes, so that the photographer can better anticipate what kind of photo the subject will appreciate. Pre-visualizing involves having an idea of what the photo should look like before shooting. It involves having parameters for the photo, such as a specific composition, color, or lens. Pre-visualizing also involves being aware of the camera settings and being able to use them to capture the moment in the best way possible.

Ultimately, knowing your subject and pre-visualizing are essential elements to capturing meaningful moments. They enable the photographer to anticipate the moment and to capture it in the best way possible. Knowing your subject and pre-visualizing are essential elements to capturing meaningful moments that will be remembered and cherished.

Capture the energy of moments.

In order to capture the energy of moments, a photographer must first prepare. This means having an idea of what they want to capture and pre-visualizing it before they shoot. This allows the photographer to have a better chance of capturing the moment in the most effective way. It is also important to observe the elements around the subject. For example, a puddle could provide a unique reflection in the photograph. The photographer must observe the elements around them to capture the most meaningful moment.

The next step is to anticipate the moment. This is done by combining timing with pre-visualization. Anticipation is the ability to recognize what is about to happen in front of the camera and be ready to capture it. This could be a car passing by a puddle, or a child riding a bike across a street.

Finally, the photographer must be patient. This is especially true when photographing children. It is important to let them explore and move around naturally, and to not tell them exactly what to do. The photographer should observe the subject and wait for the perfect moment to capture the energy of the moment.

In conclusion, in order to capture the energy of moments, a photographer must prepare, observe, anticipate, and be patient. Knowing your subject and pre-visualizing are essential elements to capturing meaningful moments that will be remembered and cherished. By combining these elements, a photographer can capture moments that will be treasured for years to come.

Capture the moment that matters.

As a photographer, capturing moments that matter is a skill that requires practice and dedication. Moments are fleeting and can be hard to recognize in the moment, so it is important for a photographer to be prepared and have an understanding of their subject. Being prepared means having the right equipment, knowing the environment, and having an understanding of the subject’s story.

It is also important for a photographer to observe and anticipate the moment. Being observant and anticipating the moment requires patience and practice. It is important to be aware of the environment, the people, and the energy of the moment. A photographer should use their senses to observe the environment and anticipate when the moment will be right.

Once the photographer has pre-visualized the moment, they should be patient and wait for the right moment to capture. A photographer should be ready to act quickly when the moment presents itself. The photographer should also be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to adjust their composition if necessary.

Capturing the moment that matters is an art form that requires practice and dedication. It is important for a photographer to be prepared, observe, anticipate, and be patient in order to capture meaningful moments that will be remembered and cherished. By understanding their subject and pre-visualizing the moment, a photographer can capture moments that will be treasured for years to come.