Stephen Walton Photography Workshops

There are two ways to approach being a photographer – shooting ‘on the go’ or being a methodical planner, which one are you? and which way is best?

Photography on the Go

This is probably, without any statistics to back it up, the more common approach to general photography these days. Camera phones and small form camera bodies have pushed the modern photographer to take our cameras everywhere, and shoot at a moment’s notice.

While the idea of photography on the go makes it fun, inspiring and reactive, does it allow us to be technically astute and well-rounded as a photographer?

Of course, it’s each to their own, but if we dont discuss the differences we may not know the pros and cons.

Snapshots are exclusively moments caught on the go. They are impulsive, emotionally driven and opportunist – all hallmarks of a street, sport and documentary photographer. Many of whom have carved incredible careers out of shooting in such a way, so maybe it’s not all bad. But are those shots the best they could be?

Are You a Composed & Measured Photographer?

The other way to approach photography is to plan, plan, plan. And then plan some more. Photographers are creators, we like to make and control the final image where possible. Therefore designing your composition to the greatest degree fits with our underlying personalities.

Landscape photographers, for example, have to plan their shoots; sun positions, angles, and weather conditions. They need this knowledge to get the most eye-catching shots. They can’t rock up at 2pm on any given day and hope for the best, the light they need will have gone.

But does this meticulous planning mean their images are less emotionally driven? Knowing quite accurately based on planning what your shot is going to look like, does this make photography less enjoyable and surprising?

Should we be surprised as photographers by our photos?

What’s My Approach to Photography?

I’m somewhere stuck in the middle personally speaking. I do gun’n’run as we say, I shoot on the hoof and just feel my way to the shot with maybe a few tweaks to aperture best on the light at the time, but I generally can see what I want from the shot as soon as I lift the camera.

My photography is emotional and spontaneous, which is why it isn’t wholly consistent in terms of subject matter – intimates, landscapes, portraits etc.

I guess my personality dictates my approach to photography – but how about you? Which way do you go about it? Let me know.