The Art of Seeing Before the Moment Happens
Photography is recognizing a moment that will be memorable before it’s happened as it’s happening.
Photography is recognizing a moment that will be memorable before it’s happened as it’s happening.
This thought I worked out with Sam has been on my mind recently as I reflect on the essence of photography. It captures the magic and the challenge of being a photographer—the ability to see the significance of a moment even before it fully unfolds. It’s a dance between anticipation and reaction, where the photographer has to be attuned not just to what's in front of the lens but to what’s about to happen.
The Anticipation of Moments
Photography, in its purest form, is more than just clicking a shutter. It's about sensing the electricity in the air, the subtle shift in light, the change in a person's expression. As photographers, we train ourselves to see what others might miss. We develop an intuition, an almost sixth sense, that alerts us to the possibility of a great shot before it happens.
Behind the Scenes: Capturing the Race Finish
I recently had a behind-the-scenes experience that perfectly illustrates this concept. At my last event, I was tasked with capturing the finish of a bike race. As the riders approached the finish line, I could feel the tension and excitement in the air. I positioned myself strategically to capture the winner's triumphant finish.
But there was a moment of realization before the race even ended. I had initially sat down, surrounded by a line of photographers, all waiting to capture the same moment. As I looked around, I realized I didn't want the same photo everyone else was about to get. I wanted something different, something with more depth and story. I even stated this out loud, deciding right then to change my approach.
Instead of sticking with the crowd, I moved to a new angle, one that would allow me to capture more layers—showing not just the finish line, but the sea of spectators, the energy of the moment, and the winner’s family member cheering through the crowd. It was about capturing the atmosphere, the emotion, and the story all in one frame.
This behind-the-scenes video shows how important it is to stay present and aware of everything happening around you. It's not always about the main action; sometimes, the real story lies in the moments that surround it. By seeking a unique perspective, I was able to capture the moment in a way that felt true to the experience.
Capturing the Unfolding Story
The best photographs are not just snapshots of reality; they are stories in the making. Our job is to capture these stories in a fraction of a second, to freeze time in a way that conveys the emotion, the movement, and the significance of what is happening. This requires us to be present, to be fully engaged with the world around us.
Recognizing a moment before it happens means being deeply aware of your surroundings and the people within them. It means understanding the context of the scene, the emotions at play, and the potential outcomes. It’s about being ready for the unexpected and embracing the imperfections that make a moment truly memorable.
The Skill of Predictive Seeing
So, how do we hone this skill of predictive seeing? How do we train our eyes to see not just what is, but what could be?
Practice Mindful Observation: Spend time simply observing your environment without the camera. Notice the small details—the way light interacts with different surfaces, the expressions people wear, the subtle changes in the weather. The more you practice mindful observation, the better you’ll become at predicting photographic moments.
Know Your Subject: Whether you're photographing people, landscapes, or events, understanding your subject is key. If you're photographing people, get to know their habits, their tells, and the way they move. If it's nature, learn the rhythms of the landscape, the patterns of light, and the behavior of animals. This knowledge helps you anticipate moments before they occur.
Be Patient, Yet Ready: Great photography often requires patience. Sometimes, you have to wait for the perfect moment to arrive. But while you wait, you have to be ready—camera settings dialed in, composition in mind, and finger on the shutter. The moment you’ve been anticipating can come and go in an instant, so readiness is crucial.
Moments Before Moments
Some of the most powerful images are those that capture not the peak of an action, but the seconds before or after it—the anticipation, the buildup, the quiet before the storm. It’s in these moments that the true story often lies. As photographers, its important that we train ourselves to see these "moments before moments" and recognize their potential.
The next time you're out with your camera, remember that photography is as much about feeling as it is about seeing. Trust your instincts. Feel the pulse of the scene around you. When you start to recognize those memorable moments before they've fully unfolded, you'll find that your photography takes on a new level of depth and emotion.
Conclusion
Photography is recognizing a moment that will be memorable before it’s happened as it’s happening. It's about trusting your vision and embracing the unpredictability of life. Every photograph you take is a testament to your ability to see the world not just as it is, but as it might be. And in that, there is magic.