Stop Immediately! Do Not Pass That Photo Opportunity!

www.dennismook.com

As my blog's name implies, I wander around quite a bit looking for interesting images.  Often times, as I am driving or walking, I see an interesting scene or subject and think to myself, "that would make a nice image."  The decision then becomes, do I turn around and go back to make the image right now or do I stop on my way back later in the day, if I will pass this way again?

I cannot tell you how many times over the past decades I had seen something, made a mental note, then came back later to make the image.  I cannot think of a single time when I was happy when I returned.  Always something about the scene had changed.  Either whatever it was that sparked my interest was no longer there, a component from the scene was now missing, the light had changed or the weather had changed, but it was never the same.  Stupid!  "Why didn't I just stop and make the image?" I have said to myself a million times.

Over time, I kept promising myself that I would not do that anymore and I would immediately stop, turn around and go back to make the image.  Still, often times, I would forget the lessons I had learned over and over again and not immediately stop, only to be disappointed later.  As time wore on, I started stopping and making the image.  Every time.  I've never been disappointed in stopping right then.

So, my advice is to never pass by an image you think would be a satisfying one but stop, turn around, go back and make that image now.  You won't regret it.  I have many very nice images in my files as a result of stopping immediately.  I have none from coming back later.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook


All content on this blog is © 2013 Dennis A. Mook.  All Rights Reserved.  Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution.  Permission may be granted for commercial use.  Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.