Photography Tips: Not Done Yet

Years ago, at the beginning of my career, an older photographer took me aside and said “When you think you have the photo you want, turn around, go back and see what you could have done better.” Now, as we all know, doing this in the real world isn’t always possible, so what I do if I can’t go back is ASK myself what I could have done better. I literally do this as I’m walking away from the scene. The more you study photography the more baggage you pick up in terms of doing what you THINK you are supposed to do and not necessarily what you WANT to do. You have to block everything out, practice, practice, practice and figure out how YOU see. So, your first directive in this regard is to go out and try this method.

When you think you have the photo you want, turn around, go back and see what you could have done better.

The image above was made in the plaza in Cusco while I was teaching a workshop. During the workshop we spent A LOT of time here due to the number of Easter festivities that were centered in this location. I walked and walked and walked this same area then asked myself what was really going on here and how best to capture it. I realized that even though we were in the middle of Easter processions, and the plaza was packed with tourists, soldiers and revelers, there were plenty of local people just going about their business. I noticed that local women were cutting through the plaza, just like a normal day, and that this was an interesting photograph, hence the image above. If you want to be a serious photographer you must find your style, your vision, and doing this isn’t easy. It takes time, practice, patience and knowing what you are going after. So remember, if after you finish with a scene you might not be done yet.