[Leica] Timing

[Alastair Firkin <firkin@netconnect.com.au>]

G'day Ted,

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Question? When you are using your Leica what do you consider the most
important element in the picture taking? Other than loading film.

Timing? "Timing is everything!"  As in your ability to see and react to a
situation you are motivated by and or any other timing aspect?
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Rhetorical question? For me photography began as part of my desire to
capture the world around me, to remember, record and enjoy the
"good/bad/ugly" of my environment, to re-visit old friends/faces/places and
moments. There is also a desire to create. This is the art side of the
issue, which becomes more important [as I spend more money on equipment ;-)
]

To capture an image, you must first be there, be aware, and then have the
equipment or technique to produce an image. So timing is not only
recognizing the "decisive moment", but luck, research and work. Morning
light is not available to late risers. So for me, the first element of
Timing is to be in the right place, at the right time. The next issue is
being aware of your surroundings, the people, the shapes, the
colour/contour/mood and emotion of the scene. This is where we are all
different, and from where we can develop "style", but it is in part learnt,
practiced and trialled [read experience]. I like to take people out who
want to learn something of the photographic process and offer them a walk
around the streets, looking up down in/out. Looking Looking Looking Looking
Looking.

Next is the technical side of the issue. Do you have a camera on you or is
it still back in the tent? Can you set the camera to capture the image you
see? And finally, can you operate the equipment in "time" to capture the
image you want. For the final issue [the last in the lead up to the
"decisive moment"] there is nothing to do but practice. This group has
given me much to practice on, because technique is not luck. So in order of
importance, I would rate;

1. an interest/love/enthusiasm in your environment
2. a desire/need/obscession with capturing your enviroment
3. a technique to capture it [read the broad issue of timing]
4. a developing "style", to set you apart from others

Merry Christmas

Alastair Firkin,

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~firkin/AGFhmpg.html