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When NOT to take the shot

Horatio

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Mar 13, 2020
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980
Location
South Carolina
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What's your tipping point for not making the exposure, other than missing an opportune moment?
 
Someone with a mental problem or in distress.
 
My initial inclination is to always take the shot unless the light changes or you are out of film.

However, with the exception of high school sports I rarely photograph people. In the case of people photography I imagine I would find many circumstances to avoid the photo when other people are involved.
 
I never "take the shot" unless I am happy to do so.
One of the best decisions you can make is to not release the shutter.
I say this with a real appreciation of the possibility of discovering photographs that succeed in negatives or slides that I was uncertain of when I did release the shutter.
Some times I frustrate my wife greatly, when I spend real time evaluating a scene, move around to check different vantage points, even change lenses, and then elect not to release the shutter.
I try to be intentional when I take photographs. Some times, that does mean taking several photographs of the same subject, in order to progress to a likely final result. Other times I take just one, or none at all.
I also take photographs for fun and after momentary inspiration.
 
The famous fart scene of Blazing Saddles was occasionally censored with just the sound of the farts removed. The scene becomes a cowboy ballet of farts.
 
Hoof hearted ice melted.
 
I really don't have one, but I trust my instincts. If it's a street or cafe/bar shot, I'm like the Invisible Man, so rarely is anyone's space invaded (working w/ a 90 lens or longer helps too). This may sound hard to believe, but when you're out on the street and you do this sort of shooting a lot, you really do go into some sort of fast and invisible way of working.
 
With people pics I am aware that some folks may object to candid photos. I once elected not to take such a photo of an acquaintance of mine. He was a window cleaner and in his 70s. His leathery complection would have made a great character shot, but he asked not to be photographed and I respected his wishes. A great shame in many ways as he suffered a stroke soon after and was never the same jovial fit man again.
 
Always take the shot. Decide later whether to share it or not later. Hindsight is 20/20.
 
MattKing said:
Some times I frustrate my wife greatly, when I spend real time evaluating a scene, move around to check different vantage points, even change lenses, and then elect not to release the shutter.
Click to expand...
LOL. Often I frustrate myself in that scenario. Too often I’ve lost a good shot while looking for a better shot! (See post #14.)
 
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