Permanent – © John Neel

Usually, when I photograph a subject, I try to anticipate the possibility of what might happen and place myself at the best vantage point. As I shoot, I put a lot of trust in my instincts and that my timing will capture the height and intensity of that moment.

Most of that instant is spent framing and paying attention to the actions/details of my subject. Everything in the framing must work with everything else shown.

Anticipation is a huge part of the experience. So is the luck and realization of being in the right place at the right time.

Understanding the camera and using it instinctively is crucial.

While the subject, light and composition are important, it is the deliberate – yet somewhat serendipitous connection between the elements that produce the image, sets the stage, and precipitates meaning.

The power of the image is produced through clear intent, the framing of supportive relationships and the anticipation of surprise.

Intuition is the understanding of what is about to happen. It is the gut feeling that you realize what you are framing will produce the intended results. The timing of the shot is what will make or break the heightened experience of the moment. Timing is the moment of truth. It is the instant when everything comes together in the frame and when the image must be shot. it is when the background enhances the foreground, the details support the subject and the subject reaches a point of heightened intensity.

NOTICE of Copyright: THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, GALLERY IMAGES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COPYRIGHT © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR lensgarden.com. THE IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE AUTHOR.