Photography - Use Good TimingWriten by Michael Russell
Too many photographers press the shutter release immediately after framing the subject in the viewfinder. They fail to wait for the moment of greatest interest or impact. Good timing takes patience and practice, but it is important to the success of any photograph.
Study the subject to find out what it does or might do. For instance, you spot an eagle sitting on the top of a nearby tree. A nice picture. Do you shoot it and go away? Or do you wait until the moment the eagle extends its wings and begins to lift off from its perch and shoot again. A dramatic picture. Anticipating a subject's actions is a necessary photographic habit. And one, which can be achieved with time and practice.
Children eating ice-cream cones sometimes drop them or at least get the ice cream on their faces or clothes, always a favorite picture to capture! People in discussion gesturing with their hands, talking and laughing. Fishermen usually show excitement when they catch something. Waves splash higher on rocks with incoming tides. Consider what will be the right moment to shoot and wait for it. For what will be achieved for a life-time it is worth the wait.
A golfer blasting out of a sand trap is more exciting than one teeing off (especially if he is getting frustrated!) A person blowing out birthday candles is more interesting than one just holding the cake. A horse galloping is much more dramatic than one grazing. Study your subjects and figure out the best time to photograph them. Shooting a second too early, or too late, can result in an ineffective picture rather than one with impact. And moments can never be recaptured.
The time of day is another important consideration. The long shadows of early morning or late afternoon often make pictures much more effective than if they were taken at noon with the sun over head. Decide when you think the lighting will be best and wait for that moment. Also consider whether a night shot would be more effective than one taken during the day. Las Vegas, for example, makes a much more impressive picture at night with the glow of its colorful casino lights. And too remember the beauty of sunrises and sunsets. These are beautiful to capture.
What time of day will your subjects be at their best, or worst? If you want unhappy children, take photographs when they are tired or hungry. For pictures of active kids, wait until after their meals or naps. And be sure you're ready when your subjects are. Your camera and equipment should be set up and ready to fire the moment your subject makes the move or expression you want. Good pictures often result only because of the photographer's good timing.
These photographs are memories that come and go in a flash. But thanks to new techniques our precious memories can be caught and kept for all time. So it is well worth the time to take the time. Be patient and wait for that perfect shot.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Photography