The phrase “luck favors the prepared” seems to have its roots in the brilliant Louis Pasteur’s observation that that “chance favors the prepared mind.” Both versions are especially true for photography. Events you might want to capture arrive without warning and go just as fast, and even with camera in hand there might not be time to do anything else but shoot, as when I had the good fortune to be near when the girl and cat met for the first time, and to be prepared with a camera that was ready.
These days many of us carry a cell phone containing a camera, so fewer opportunities are completely missed, but your odds of getting a good photo are improved if you have a reasonably good camera ready to go.
Top Photo Tip: Be Prepared
“Photo tip” is one of the Internet’s most frequently searched terms, and of all the photo tips I’ve come across, none seem to be more important than “be prepared.” A big part of being prepared is knowing as much as you can about your camera and photography and developing your skills, especially exposure and composition. This preparation is time intensive, so you will do well to set aside time regularly for learning and practice.
For the shorter term, develop the habits of transferring images from your media and charging batteries after every shoot, putting the media back in the camera as soon as it is emptied, and always storing gear in the same place. Finally, here are a few last minute things to improve your luck through preparedness.
1. Check the batteries: make sure it/they are freshly charged and have enough capacity to carry you through the unexpected. Check the flash batteries if your unit isn’t built into the camera.
2. Check the memory: empty your memory card, bring extra ones, or grab more film if your camera isn’t digital.
3. Check the camera:
- Are the shooting, focusing modes, and white balance set for the present situation?
- Turn off exposure bracketing and exposure compensation if you don’t plan to use them.
- Clean lenses, screens, and viewfinders, and check the strap’s condition.
4. Ask yourself what else might you need.
- Lens cloth
- Tri- or monopod
- Polarizer
Be Prepared and Be There
- 1. Check the batteries: make sure it/they are freshly charged and have enough capacity to carry you through the unexpected. Check the flash batteries if your unit isn’t built into the camera.
- 2. Check the memory: empty your memory card, bring extra ones, or grab more film if your camera isn’t digital.
- 3. Check the camera:
- Are the shooting, focusing modes, and white balance set for the present situation?
- Turn off exposure bracketing and exposure compensation if you don’t plan to use them.
- Clean lenses, screens, and viewfinders, and check the strap’s condition.
- 4. Ask yourself what else might you need.
- Lens cloth
- Tri- or monopod
- Polarizer
Making a habit of being prepared can do a lot for your photography, and “be prepared” might be the best photo tip you’ll ever get except for one.
Top Photo Tip #2
Be There!
For more about being prepared, see the post Be Prepared: Compact Camera Saves the Day.
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