Have Purpose. Stick To It.
:We need to distill what it is we want now, and go for it!
My camera in hand, never in a bag, offers me an excuse to prowl, roam, and create challenges for myself. Savage amusement.
Something catches my eye. Then, a most brief articulation of the scene. Instant assignment. Approach. Click! Onwards.
It was a very hot day. The Tall Ships were entering the Hudson River. Was so looking forward to this.
Jumped on the Lexington subway line at 33rd Street and headed South to Bowling Green station. Then, in a minute, I was in Battery Park, my destination. Lots of sight seekers. Colorful outfits. Strange behaviors. What fun!
In playing pool, one studies the table, observes the possibilities, walks around, chalks the cue stick, stretch, et al. Then, when it's a good shot, all worth it. Not so much when one misses.
My approach is vastly different. My self-assignment is to have a lazy eye approach. First have a purpose. Image the possibilities of a scene in a few seconds. Remain open to possibilities. Walk in the direction. Stick to it!
Then, my process is to react quickly as humanly possible. Start to depress the shutter as I am still in motion to frame the scene not knowing exactly where my focus will remain. Click! Next!
So, approaching the water's edge, I noticed a police officer upriver, all by himself. There's was a famous Tall Ship moving a hundred yards or so away. There was an interesting NJ shoreline in the far background. Suddenly, my inner voice said, 'capture it all.' WHAT!?
Although it is legal to photograph police, it has been met with awful consequences to some photographers.
No turning back now, I was sticking to it. He was looking straight ahead. NOT good! My aiming a camera at him in close range would certainly create an unwanted emotion in his face.
Meanwhile where was the sailing ship now? There was a very narrow window of opportunity. The #5 pilings were blocking my view of the ship. Nice composition for the officer yet still preventing an 'easy' approach.
I relaxed. Remember, Never Give Up! Never!
Walking steadily closer, the officer's vision needed to be averted. How? Solution! Looking over my left shoulder quickly, while being right in front of him, gave him the slightest urge to look in that direction. That was enough.
Hold on. Pull! Pull! A leaned into my step, finding the ship in the background, for a nice 'frame in the frame' image. Camera raised to my left eye. Finger on shutter. Camera frames all. Exhale half breath. Click! Onwards.
Sometimes we do not know what we want yet when we do, we create purpose. Stick to it! You'll be glad you did.
Stay strong, my friends.
P.S. All these recent blog images were expertly scanned from my ol' color slides by none other than Pivot Media in Florence, MA. There is no better, my friends. Try them now.
About the Author: Robert Floyd enjoys new awareness and being in the moment. So appreciative of heroes in his life. You can usually find him, when he’s not in The Robert Floyd Photo Gallery, learning Zoom to plan 2020 field trips in the beautiful Pioneer Valley, Cape Cod, Cape May, Newport, Manhattan, and Canada.
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