Just curious - how many here, when preparing to go out on a shoot, have a pretty good idea of the exact images they want to achieve? (may not be too tough for portrait photogs... may be wrong...but for Nature / wildlife shooters...?) Personally, I make a list of photos I'd "like" to come back with (deer jumping over a fence, black bear in a tree, rhime ice forming on a barbed-wire fence, etc.) - kinda gives me a shopping list of images to watch for. Otherwise, I'm too overwhelmed by the environment to concentrate on images I want. Comments?

I've always been told that the difference between the amateur and the pro is that the latter carefully plans his/her photographic compositions (and subjects). That's also the reason why I'm not a pro ;-) Lately, I've been "scouting" some of the locations for my pictures and then returning very early in the morning to catch that magical diffuse light, or just at the right time of day to improve lighting conditions (you know, to avoid those deep dark shadows against washed out skies). Then I have all the time I need to set up the camera (tripod and all), etc...

That level of "creative composition" I have no problem with (and fully applaud) - you're taking a subject and waiting for the "right light" to shoot it. My question is, say you have a neat layer of sand next to a stream, and yards away you find a perfect fall leaf, so you take the leaf and place it in the perfect sand and shoot it - you get a beautiful shot, but do you feel comfortable about it? Personally, I wouldn't, but I'm out to record what I see - the stock photog who needs to make a living may see this as fine (he's gonna sell an image)....but to me, it's not "natural"...? Your waiting for the right light is a matter of waiting for nature to place your subject in the ideal environment - you're not really manipulating the scene - just demonstrating patience.

OT from the thread...I still remember two things said by the guy who nurtured me when I became interested in photography (about 30 years ago): (1) "The only difference between amateur and professional is the amount of film they use." (2) "If you don't assume your film and paper are free, you'll never make quality art." PS: Of course, the digital world kind of "erased" number 2. To get back on topic... It depends on the time of year, mood, and current whime my mind may be in.

Me too Wolf, especially when going to busy places I prepare some work, perhaps look at some 'masters'. It does help me a lot to ignore the massive ammounts of people, details, whatever that you'll run into and get you to focus on specific stuff. Not that I use it as a restriction, but when I don't I always think "Oh, if I did this or that, this would be been an awesome photo - why didn't I see that at that moment ?". :)

Yes and no. For examples: I went to the Railroad Museum intending to photograph reactions of small children to Tommy Tankcar. I found pealing paint, and returned another day for a whole series. I went to Starved Rock with the general notion of photographing rock formations, but few pre-conceived ideas. I went to Horicon marsh with notion of photographing geese flying out of the fog; found wonderful spider webs instead. Returned next year to shoot spiders. None to be found. Planning is good, but try to keep flexible.

I really can't figure out where I fall into category between am or pro in the planning aspect. I don't really plan on shooting say a flock of geese in the fog or leaves on sand. I generally pick an area and then see what I find that interests me. Like Misha's comment above, if I plan to go shoot Tommy Tankcar, 10 chances out of 9, I'm gonna run across something that I find way more interesting to shoot and my pre-concieved plans are moot, so basicaly I just go and let spontneity be my guide...IMHO

When I am getting paid to make a specific shot, I plan it. Otherwise, I am pretty much a spontanious shooter. One of my favorite all time quotes is by Picasso. "If I knew what I was going to before before I started, I wouldn't start."

If you are being paid for your photography then its totally understandable to be organised shall we say. But if your not being paid, and its more for having an interest then why plan things, just go out with camera at hand and stumble across what ever takes your fancy, be it a bug, a leaf, or a beauftiful sunset. I even take my camera with me when picking my daughter up from school. (just in case something catches my eye on my journey) . planned or unplanned still create stunning shots.

The Picasso quote was supposed to read... "If I knew what I was going to paint before before I started, I wouldn't start."

I fully agree with carrying a camera with you in case something catches you eye, but (and this is "for me"), if I'm heading out to do some "serious" photography, I have to have an idea of the images I'm looking for if for no other reason than to carry the appropriate equipment along (if I'm shooting wildlife, no need to lug around macro equipment - not to mention a completely different tripod). It also helps me if I have an idea of the type of image I'm wanting - otherwise, i just get caught up in the environment trying to look for everything and anything, that I'll wind up missing the finer details and images that I'm actually looking for. (Now, if THAT made sense, then I need to take up English as a second language :^)

It makes sense. I pack my bag with at least something in mind, (though I now need a shower cap, plus a whole list of plant cleaning supplies suggested by Alpha in another thread). But also prepare for the unexpected.

Must be nice to be paid for your photographs & be a professional, you guys are great! :) I just like art & photography, have never tried to portray myself as any kind of professional anything- I believe in spontanaity (however you spell it) & love a good treasure hunt!

Being prepared for a particular shoot of a particular thing is always necessary. Without the equipment you wouldnt have such wonderful images. And well if your being paid you need to produce exactly the right image that you have in mind before setting out to get that shot. There are bound to be times that you have gone out without a particular peice of equipment and seen something that catches your eye, and think Oo Damn !oO But then you might see something else that is just perfect for what you have avalable at the time. It really all depends on what the reasons are for taking the picture in the first place wether it be for a paid job, or just for self satifaction that you managed to capture such an image or just coz you love photography/ art. I can imagine from the various differant people in this forum range from your top notch photographer who is well known right down to the bottom on the scale of your average everyday person like myself who just has an interest. So we will all have differant ways or ideas of what we call being prepared. Or what our goals may be.