How does one develop the instinct of knowing when to press the shutter release button?
I have always had a "feeling" once I look through the lens. I exhale, then push the shutter button.
I guess you don't "know", you just feel it within. It's your eye that tells you what is good and either you have a good or not so good eye.
shoot alot, especially on the street.
I believe this largely comes down to putting all of your trust into your intuition. Once you do this instinct truly does take over and you can readily trust in yourself and the convictions of your creative opinion and photographing becomes an extension of yourself.
The key is to believe in yourself. This sounds endlessly corny and cliched but consider what it means. Don't doubt yourself. Doubt and fear are barriers to achieving lofty possibilities. Most of the time I don't think about it when I'm photographing, as in I live in the moment. I don't overly concern myself with technicalities or golden sections, positive and negative space etc. Not that these things aren't important in capturing a photo, just that with more practice and experience you will consider them more naturally and without thought rather than stewing over them and getting everything perfect every time. If you try to get it perfect every single time you will miss the moment. Not only that but you could look at a photograph that is technically perfect in every way but its soul and energy is lacking entirely and people will sense it instinctively. In other words, rules are meant to be broken.
I go by the premise that I know what looks good and so that is what I capture. Of course, what looks "good" is a subjective concept to every individual and differs depending on who is looking. Just trust in yourself unremittingly and all else will follow. This is how you develop your own style.
Also, don't underestimate the waiting game - waiting for the right moment to come along at the perfect time can pay off in hoards. Patience is a virtue. Just be aware of your environment, what's happening around you and how you could use it to your advantage.   | | |
Practice. Reviewing past efforts, critically evaluating what could be better, adjusting and changing in the future.
I think digital cameras have had a huge impact on this, as it's now possible to get instant feedback by looking at the photo you've just taken. That's been my biggest education. Also it's now possible to experiment and try anything out, and delete the photo of you don't like the results, without any cost implications.
Get a cheap rangefinder, load it with Tri-X and walk around in the city.
Practice, practice, practice and then some more.
I'll let you know if I ever find out. I reckon I'll be rich if I ever get this one nailed.
You'll press the shutter button when you see what you want to see but that does not mean you get what you want to get all the time.
Practice and get critiqued. Have thick skin......it will only make you better.
Experience.
Take lots of photos and find out what works for you. Sometimes I get really antsy because I think someone should take a photo a certain way or line something up differently, but it's the photographer's own call as to what they want to show. For me, I find that I look for right angles, or juts of subjects that stand out in the right proportions but I don't like to think too long before I CLICK.
For what I do, you don't need this instinct. Press, review,press, review... over and over until it's perfect. There is no guesswork. You are done when you have the shot. |
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