Your best photographs

[Andrew O'Neill]

However you compose and plan every photograph. You are not taking haphazard snapshots. That is exactly the point.

The sand storm was upon me and I wanted to get out of there asap...so it was a little haphazard If I had more time to plan, I would have shot with an opaque IR filter on the Efke IR and not the #72... and exposed more sheets and not just the one.

 

[removed account4]

For large format, I plan to be there, with an idea of what I may see, but not sure how I'll react. Broken (in my gallery) was unplanned and happened while driving in the Great Sandhills in southern Saskatchewan to the next "planned" location. I can only do so much planning, then let things just happen.

!! Just like the moonrise of the ham sandwich

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

!! Just like the moonrise of the ham sandwich

 

[Sirius Glass]

Instead of Moon Over Half Dome ...

by Alan Ross [Original hand made prints are available from Alan Ross]


That is the back of Ansel's head.

 

[cooltouch]

When I think about my favorite photos, I must admit that they are a bit of both. Some were sheer luck -- fortunate grab shots -- while others were planned -- maybe not from a significant time beforehand, but planned nonetheless. For example, I might visit a site and realize a really good shot can be made by positioning my camera in such a way. Not really spur of the moment, but not exactly long term planning. Or I may see a developing situation and can predict a likely outcome which may be only seconds away, then I position myself for this outcome. Not quite spur of the moment.

 

[blockend]

Great photographs always require luck. Even good ones benefit from a dose of it.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Were your best photographs planned in advance, or happy accidents?

I'll take my best photograph tomorrow.

 

[Ariston]

I'll take my best photograph tomorrow.

Sweet! Please post it here!

 

[Stephen Prunier]

My only plan is to wander with the camera and watch the interaction of the light, the place and the photographer.

How does one 'accidently' set up a camera? Then accidently expose film, develop it, then make a print?

That's exactly what I was thinking. The only planning I do is choosing the location. Once I'm there it's all about taking it all in and assessing my options. Then I set up and go for it. It's the unknown that makes it enjoyable for me. I think it's why I've never warmed up to staging still life shots even though I've attempted them.

 

[BSP]

I first choose my limitations (gear) and then choose in which direction (geometry) to point my camera and finally press the button (go!) when I feel the need to. That is basically my game plan for creating my best photographs. Nothing is accidental about it and one day it will work.

 

[MattKing]

There are a number of really strong arguments for having one or several photographic projects, and going out with plans to add to them.
At the same time, nothing in a project orient mindset excludes one from going out for a wander, hoping for good fortune.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Some of my very best photographs were taken with the lens on. And they get better over time as I think about them.

 

[Mamiyam645]

Here is one of my favourite "finish the roll" pics. I hadn't long had my first medium format camera (Mamiya 645 Super) I'd been out photographing, got home and was ready to develop the film when I realised there was one frame left. I was looking at some lame flowers when I noticed these two old bottles that had been dug up in the garden and I'd left them on a bin where they had been filled with rain. The way the backlight was shining through them intrigued me so I took a quick pic. View attachment 230277

Which lens did you use. i shoot mamiya m645 1000s and 19 lenses.

 

[markbau]

It would have been the 80mm f2.8 which I found to be a remarkably sharp lens.