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View Full Version : The Best Shot - or, Why We Do It.


Radtech1
15th of February 2006 (Wed), 22:08
I was looking over THIS THREAD (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=133305) that wonders "Why Photograph?" And then ANOTHER THREAD (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138349) that laments so many shots just to get the one that thrills and that got me thinking...

My shooting is primarily opportunistic. I take my camera with me almost everywhere I go, and I try to find the photograph in everything I see. Over the last three years have captured over 15,000 photographs. 15,000 moments. Granted, most of them are not moments worth revisiting, but I captured them nonetheless. If not for me, all those moments will be lost in time like tears in the rain.

Occasionally, no - make that rarely, a moment happens that is like an eternal instant. Something transcendent. Something sacrosanct. A capture that somehow reaches in so deeply it is almost like it touches my soul. There have been a precious few of those, but when they happen they take my breath away.

My hope for this thread is to give ourselves an opportunity to share that one photograph, that one push of the shutter, that puts us into the magical realm of "Oh my God, this is the one!"

And no false modesty, please. I am sure that every one of us had a moment like that - if not, we would have dumped photography long ago for something more satisfying. I am genuinely interested to see why you and you and you do it. What keeps you coming back for one more shot.

I will kick off with a shot but am very proud of that I took at Eaton's Ranch (http://www.eatonsranch.com/) in Wyoming. They ran the horses up every morning, just about sunrise. I had taken 1416 shots during the week and this was the third from the last one. It was 10 minutes before we left. We had the car packed and Marcia wanted to see them run just one more time. I kept firing and firing, and - I swear to God - the instant I fired this shot I gasped. I knew that I had the one that I was looking for.

Rad

"The Wrangler"

http://h1.ripway.com/Radtech1/Canon/WranglerS.jpg

PS - Bonus point for identifying the movie quote.

Mills
16th of February 2006 (Thu), 00:47
It is Fabulous. Familiar for some reason. Perhaps not. It is great.

elTwitcho
16th of February 2006 (Thu), 00:51
http://www.pbase.com/eltwitcho/image/55550602.jpg

It's the first shot I've taken that was the kind of stuff I envisioned when I started photography. It's not incredible, but I'm still new at this

Mills
16th of February 2006 (Thu), 01:20
Here is one of my favorites. Two Firefighters walking into a fully involved building. Tells you all that you need to know about these brave men and women.

http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/56144725.jpg

kevin_c
16th of February 2006 (Thu), 15:40
Radtech1 - Love that shot, so full of atmosphere...

OdiN1701
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 02:05
It is Fabulous. Familiar for some reason. Perhaps not. It is great.

Looks similar to some old Marlboro ads I believe.

Sam
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 02:10
The Wrangler shot is pretty great.

The Movie was Dark Star. I have to admit that I looked it up on google though.

Carzee
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 02:16
OT ------quote clue #2...
http://www.brmovie.com/Images/Characters/Roy_Batty/roy_batty_tattoo.jpg

Sam
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 02:21
/\Blade Runner

Carzee
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 02:25
OT - its one of my favorite flicks -the photography/scenery, the story/intrigue, the soundtrack, Ms Winger...

This photo I saw before I lifted the camera. So I made about 10 shots (bracketing, Av, focus variations). AND this was on my one and only -so far- POTN event.

I put this shot in the local club show 2 nights back and got a couple of pats on the back and a member asking "Where 'd ya get it?" and asking for a the grid reference etc.

http://www.pixelparker.com/topten/topten08.jpg

Suedezu
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 04:13
Excellent introduction to this topic Radtech1. Congratulations!

Here is my favourite so far. I love it because I think it conveys strong emotions.

It was taken one early morning walking on the beach and searching for that "the one" image.

Please tell me if you think it has what it takes.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/Suedezu/Boat_at_sunrise.jpg

JorgenH
17th of February 2006 (Fri), 04:27
http://www.pbase.com/eltwitcho/image/55550602.jpg

It's the first shot I've taken that was the kind of stuff I envisioned when I started photography. It's not incredible, but I'm still new at this

I think that this shot is great! I really like it, a lot!