TOP TIPS FOR SPONTANEOUS SHOOTING
Here’s a roundup of ideas to speed up your shooting and boost your creativity!
LEAVE YOUR TRIPOD AT HOME
You can move around more freely, take a greater variety of photographs and, more often than not, they’re actually perfectly sharp. if you insist on using a tripod all the time, you will miss the shot.
USE ALL YOUR CAMERA’S FEATURES
You paid good money for them, so you might as well use ‘em. Autofocus, auto bracketing (AeB), auto isO, image stabilisation and a host of other features are all designed to make your life easier.
DON’T BE PEDANTIC
stop being a control freak, and stop getting obsessed with all those things that don’t matter (yes, it is okay to shoot at isOs higher than 100) and just enjoy taking photographs.
SHOOT ANYTHING
Just do it, without hesitation. Be spontaneous. Be daring. if you see something you like the look of, take a photograph of it, then another and maybe another. have a look at them on your camera’s preview screen to see if they look good.
SEE THE WORLD AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
Don’t restrict your work to specific shoots. Look at the world through the eyes of a photographer and always have a camera of some kind with you, even if it’s only a smartphone.
PERFECTION ISN’T IMPORTANT
Many photographers now think that if it’s not pin-sharp, ideally exposed and noise-free, it’s no good. But slightly unsharp, grainy images can look wonderful, and exposure error is easily fixed.
TRY A NEW SUBJECT
expand your repertoire by actively photographing different subjects, especially those that are likely to make you a more spontaneous photographer. Don’t limit yourself to the same scenes all the time.
TRY CREATIVE TECHNIQUES
Panning, multiple exposures, zooming, intentional camera movement, black and white, intentional over or underexposure, shooting through glass, freelensing – try them all.
FIND A PHOTO FRIEND
Find another photographer and go on photo walks or trips, you’ll probably find it more inspiring than if you’re alone. You can compare images, and the rivalry between you will encourage you to be more observant and spontaneous.
STUDY THE WORK OF OTHERS
other successful photographers – especially those who are renowned for their spontaneous approach. check out reportage photographers, photojournalists and street photographers.