Working a Location
Too often life and the responsibilities that it includes force us to move at a faster pace than we’d like. More often than not a shutter press is more spontaneous than planned. That’s not a negative, and lots of pictures produced on instinct turn out beautifully. Many times there is only a moment to catch the scene in front of us. But, given the opportunity, taking time at an event or location can give a photographer the opportunity to produce work with greater intent and content. When is the last time you were able to slow down and really work a location? There are of course variable definitions of “work”. It might simply imply remaining at a scene continually talking pictures until you feel that you’ve achieved your goal or it might include returning over and over to a location fine-tuning the moment you want.
The topic above occurred to me as I was out hiking and scouting for some leafy, tree-filled locations for the coming autumn color change. I’d heard of a nearby Amish horse road[1] owned by the county parks and set out for it.
As I suspected, I was early for color change (*above*), but liked the potential of the site. I was also there too early in the day for the light I wanted from the sun. I returned twice over the next few weeks later in the day to gauge the color change and sun position. In the end I didn’t catch peak color at this site or in Ohio[2], but I captured some pictures with the feel that I wanted. I was trying to capture a feeling of adventure and unknown destinations, while showing the companionship of a man and dog. Hefty load to portray in a single image maybe. How did I do? I like the light I achieved and the hint of adventure (the backpack, dog, long path ahead). Still, I’ll be returning to this site next autumn if possible to try and tweak the results more. For instance, maybe I’ll have trained the dog how to walk next to me on command instead of behind me so he’s not lost in my legs.
Honestly, I don’t find (or make) the time as I should for working a location; for trying to catch the right light, or patiently waiting for the right moment of serendipity. One of my goals[3] in the coming year is to get out more with my camera. Out more in search of stories and locations. Are you able to make the time for working a location? Do you find more success in planning a picture or are you more successful shooting from instinct and moving on?
-
The dirt road is closed to autos and cuts between two busier paved roads essentially functioning as shortcut for Amish horse buggies and recreational use.
↩ -
I traded peak in Ohio to take a trip down to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to catch up with an old friend and try to catch peak color at higher altitudes there.
↩ -
More on 2012 goals in a future post.
↩
About Mconnorsphotos:
3 Responses to “Working a Location”
-
[...] short post relates to my previous on working a location until you have an image you are happy with. C... mconnorsphotos.com/blog/more-on-working-a-location
Leave a Reply
It is like you said, sometimes you can do superb work in a matter of 10 minutes (especially if you know what you want from the image and how to achieve that) but sometimes you have to work the location, dig little deeper and behind what is there. I like how this is not just autumny image alone but that you applied an idea and you executed it into the location that was already there.Outcome is really good – especially second picture, light is superb, the comp also with the exception of the dog
so in that i agree – maybe you should train this little guy – he spoiled otherwise really nice composition and the feeling of you on the go 
as to the instinct – it is there sometimes but this not mean always the best image. i’d rather stay on the location a little longer if i only can
I agree Radek. A lot depends on your purpose and genre of photography per se. Street photography is often more spontaneous than still life, but that’s not to say that a street photographer doesn’t gain a lot of insight by taking time to study an area; by sitting down and having a cup of coffee while observing.
I’ll keep working with the dog. It’s nice when a model will work for treats so readily.