Do you wait for the moment to occur or do you work to create the moment?

Both approaches create an image. Neither works perfectly all of the time.

Imagine the little boy. Maybe two and a half years old. He’s at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, perhaps for the very first time. He’s discovered the kids’ area and is intent on scooping up the krill with the basket. He is being the whale.

He tries again and again and again. You can see the intensity on his face. He is mimicking the big kids around them. You know he is hoping to fit in.

And there is his dad with his camera in hand. Ready to document the moment. It makes my heart sing.

And then…
 

My heart breaks.

Dad can’t see the moment. He doesn’t see the action before him unfolding in the magical way it so often does in childhood. Instead? He says the words. You can probably guess what they are.

“Look at me.”

And again.

“Look at me.”
 

Now he becomes more emphatic.

“Look at me.”

And then he almost nears anger as he holds the at the ready waiting for the bright eyed, smiling child to turn for  THE photo of their trip to Monterey.

“LOOK AT ME.”

Exacerbated. He gives up. He puts the camera down. He’s done.

He grabs the child, still intent in his activity, and heads on to the next station. Camera in pocket now.

He missed it. He missed the magic. He became so involved in photographing the image HE wanted, he didn’t see the beautiful image that presented itself.

Photography is about seeing. It’s about seeing the beauty of the world as it unfolds around us.

We are challenged to slow down when our camera is in hand. We are challenged to see the motion, the movement, the lines, and the colors as they present themselves. Forcing photos will make them feel forced.

Forcing kids in front of the camera will make them uncooperative, producing less than desirable results. Those kids grow up to be uncooperative adults who never place themselves in front of the camera.

Stop today before you pick up the camera. Stop and ask yourself, what is life presenting you? What is there in front of you that is asking to be photographed without any manipulation or coercion?

 
I think you will be pleasantly surprised with your results.