Have A No Return Policy

Does something cool, interesting, or beautiful catch your eye? Take the shot! If you think you will return and get it later, you probably won't or if you do it will be gone or changed. I have learned from experience that these special moments are fleeting and the opportunity must be seized. Stop and take the shot!

As a group of us were driving up the Whitney Portal Road a large dust storm could be seen in the valley below. The morning sun reflected on the road making it appear as a silver ribbon winding through the Alabama Hills. Finding a place to stop was difficult and inconvenient but I am so glad I acted on this impulse...



Always remember that opportunity only knocks once. Don't think you will return and be able to get the image. Stop and take the shot!

Crossover

After concentrating on lighting and portraits recently I have returned to my roots by visiting Moab, Utah (daughter and son-in-law) and leading a landscape photography workshop with my good friend Bill Wight in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, California. It is interesting to me how I look at lighting and composition a bit differently after taking the lighting workshops. The crossover learning from the different types of photography is significant, for instance...

Side lighting...





or Leading Lines...





Backlighting...





Composition and framing...






Well, you get the idea. We should never stop learning or trying new techniques because the process will make us better. Our photographic eye will improve, our creativity will be enhanced, and technique will advance. Crossover learning is not only fun but is a sure way to improve your photographic vision and results!