Two Eyes Open

We’ve all had that moment when we see something that would make the most amazing photo only to realize that we don’t have a camera with us. Even today with the abundance of pocket-sized cameras and mobile phones with built-in cameras we still tend to find ourselves in situations where either we don’t have our camera device or we simply elect not to go through the effort of pulling over the car, stopping our mad dash across the office or delaying our next non-critical meeting instead of slowing down and getting the shot. I’m just as guilty as anyone when it comes to making a bad decision about getting the shot.

In hindsight not taking the time is always the wrong decision and I decided that I needed to change my behavior. The key to changing my own behavior came from reading a blog post on Chase Jarvis’ website one day about how he uses his iPhone to take numerous photos everyday of things he comes across in in travels. I thought hey, I can do that since I carry my own iPhone around everyday. So I started taking photos whenever something caught my eye. Whether it was a cloud formation, pennies in a fountain or the ways the lines of a building intersected with those of a window. It wasn’t easy at first to slow down and look at things differently but I can tell you it has made all the difference in my photography.

I now have an appreciation for shapes and colors more than ever and I find it easier to get the right shot with less effort than before. This doesn’t mean I’m perfect. In fact I’m far from it but I do have the confidence to push myself everytime I head out the door in search of my next photo. I encourage you to force yourself to document the things around you and take the time when you normally wouldn’t. It can make all the difference in your photography as well as how you see the world around you.

If your interested here’s a link to some of my iPhone photos.

Good luck!