When NOT to take the shot

Horatio · Mar 18, 2021

What's your tipping point for not making the exposure, other than missing an opportune moment?

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2021

Someone with a mental problem or in distress.

Pioneer · Mar 18, 2021

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.

Bronson Dugnutt · Mar 18, 2021

No sneezes, farts, or kidney punches.

MattKing · Mar 18, 2021

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.

Brendan Quirk · Mar 18, 2021

Bronson Dugnutt said:
No sneezes, farts, or kidney punches.

How do you see a fart in a photo?

Bronson Dugnutt · Mar 18, 2021

Brendan Quirk said:
How do you see a fart in a photo?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlieren_imaging

Vaughn · Mar 18, 2021

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.

Brendan Quirk · Mar 18, 2021

Now this looks like fun!

eddie · Mar 18, 2021

Brendan Quirk said:
How do you see a fart in a photo?

You can't until you develop the film and see unexplained fog.

Sirius Glass · Mar 18, 2021

Hoof hearted ice melted.

gone · Mar 18, 2021

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.

John Bragg · Mar 18, 2021

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.

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 18, 2021

Always take the shot. Decide later whether to share it or not later. Hindsight is 20/20.

guangong · Mar 19, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Someone with a mental problem or in distress.

Ditto!

BrianShaw · Mar 19, 2021

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.

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.)

When NOT to take the shot

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency