Looking For Photographs

We've discussed what to look for, when to go photographing, even how to compose, but I haven't addressed the actual process of looking around and arguably that could be the most important skill. Both customers and other photographers comment that they know they wouldn't have seen the things that I have seen (and by implication missed the photograph). Here's some observations on looking:

1) he who chats isn't looking - nothing wrong with photographing with a friend, but finding photographs requires full attention.

2) cameras have only one eye, you should be looking through only one - many subjects which seem ordered, when seen without stereo vision become a jumble.

3) Observer movement separates things - once you stop to take the photograph, the important subject separation may not be there.

4) the odds of finding great photographs while only looking at your feet is poor at best - trudging along trails concentrating on where you place your feet may be vital, but you need to look up.

5) not all great subjects are at eye level - exercise those knees by squatting occasionally, by looking up and down.

6) the great shot may be over your shoulder - frequently look behind to check the view in the opposite direction.

7) Don't use your camera to look at the world until you have found something to photograph. You could miss the shot entirely or not see it because you have the wrong lens on.

8) If in an interesting area, set down camera and tripod and wander around without gear in hand. Use a viewing filter or cutout if you see something.

9) Squint - it's easier to sort out main compositional features through a dark viewfinder or darkish filter or just plain squinting.

10) If like me you have poor vision, try taking off your glasses and see the world in a blurr to look for interesting patterns and shapes.

11) consider using one of the 3 inch screen digital cameras as a viewing aid. You can even shoot a picture and turn the camera upside down to check composition), note though that it doesn't work as well if you don't shoot the picture first!

12) Think of what you are looking at as a series of forms and shapes rather than objects - that clump of birches on the left is a series of light coloured vertical lines rather than trees. That fallen log receding into the distance is a triangle.

13)and this is a tough one, try not to have preconceived ideas of what photographs you are looking for or going to find - fixating on the preconceived means you are likely to miss something that is even better. Besides, often the thing you expect has already been done by yourself or someone else - do you really need to do it again?