Shooting on film has taught me a patience that stays with me even while shooting digital, whether it be with a DSLR or a phone. I’ve never been the type to shoot and shoot and shoot and see what I’ve captured; it’s always about waiting for the right moment and capturing what I see in my mind. At times, I wait until I see the right person or group to shoot. Many times it pays off. On this day, I sat in the shadows and saw a well dressed man alone who would soon step into the light. Twenty feet behind him, was a mother and daughter walking slowly, until I readied for the shot…
As soon as my composition was exactly as I’d seen in my head, the mother and daughter broke out into a sprint, running into the frame and then stopping out of no where as if on purpose. Still, I took a shot although I knew it wasn’t what I wanted. Before this moment though, I spotted a group walking down the same street, headed toward the same slice of light. Knowing my ideal shot may be ruined, I took a photo of the group as a “just in case.”
Once the mother and daughter entered the frame, my entire mindset was thrown off and I missed the shot I’d envisioned. So, not the photo I wanted, but still better than nothing; and, a group of 3 appears more visually interesting to many; myself included. You never know when your “perfect shot” may be ruined by a random passerby. At any moment something simple can change it all. Always have a back up plan.