The Shot is the next step to great photography and it needs to be completely instinctual. The photographer will not have the time when shooting to think through this stage; otherwise, the decisive moment may pass. Three major components make up the taking of the shot:
Picking the right equipment – Having the correct equipment for a given shot is critical to the technical excellence of the photograph. The photographer needs to make the proper lens and lighting selection for the scene and the desired effect.
Managing the technical elements of the shot – While a photographer could keep their DSLR on auto settings and let the camera do the work, the photographer will always be making a compromise. Managing the focus, color and exposure through the proper settings of the big five -- focus, ISO setting, shutter speed, aperture and white balance -- is the key to great photography. While there may be multiple technically-correct settings to get picture, there may be only one artistically-great setting to make a photograph.
Capturing the decisive moment – The photographer needs to be ready to recognize and shoot the decisive moment. Knowing the ordinary from the extraordinary and when to push the shutter button separates the good from the great. Everything is preparation for this crucial decision.
Lessons from the Shot
When Should I Override the Auto White Balance on My Camera?
When Should I Change My White Balance?
When Should I Override the Auto Exposure on My Camera? (Part 1)
When Should I Override the Auto Exposure on My Camera? (Part 2)
Vacation Photo Tips by Stanley Leary
When You're Not Close Enough by Stanley Leary
Six Steps to Banish Dust from Your Digital Images by Stanley Leary
Seeing Eye to Eye Isn't Always Best by Stanley Leary
Shooting Sports by Stanley Leary
Macro Photography: The Magic of Nuance by Stanley Leary
Easier Eating than Shooting by Craig Lee
Strobing Correctly by Stanley Leary
Macro Photography - The Magic of Nuance by Stanley Leary
Invest in Preparedness with a Point-and-Shoot Camera By Stanley Leary
Balancing Ambient and Flash Photography By Stanley Leary
Combining Flash and High ISO By Stanley Leary
How to Improve Your Flash Photography By Stanley Leary
What a Difference a Millimeter Can Make By Stanley Leary
Shooting with Available Light By Stanley Leary
Using Frames to Isolate the Subject By Stanley Leary
To Flash or Not to Flash By Stanley Leary
The Psychology of the Wide-Angle Lens by Stanley Leary
Avoid Motion Blur by Stanley Leary
Shallow Depth-of-Field by Stanley Leary
Making Photos POP! by Stanley Leary
Creating a Magnetic Smile with the Magnetic Lasso Tool...Just Kidding!
What's a Good Camera for me? by Stanley Leary
Photographing People - Indoors by Stanley Leary
Photographing Fireworks by Stanley Leary
Expressions by Stanley Leary
"There's Clear and Then There's Claritin Clear!" by Stanley Leary
Macro Photography by Stanley Leary
How to Improve Your Flash Photography by Stanley Leary
Avoiding the Dreaded Red Eye by Stanley Leary
Camera Modes Demystified by George Hsia
Workings of ISO by George Hsia
Exposure – Aperture by George Hsia
Shutter Speed Techniques by George Hsia
Ambient Light and Flash Combined by Stanley Leary
Rule of Thumb Exposures by George Hsia
Light Brings Life to a Photo by Stanley Leary
Shooting Under Fluorescent Lights Requires You to Slow Down by Stanley Leary
Photo Tips for Camp Photographers by Stanley Leary
One Light, Group Shot by Stanley Leary
Why Learn Ratio Lighting by Stanley Leary
Hot Shoe Flashing by Stanley Leary
When Window Lighting is Not Enough by Stanley Leary
Lighting a Science Lab by Stanley Leary
Lighting a Conference Room by Stanley Leary
Get Close: REALLY CLOSE! by Stanley Leary
Nikon D4 @ ISO 12,800 Still Not Enough by Stanley Leary
Life on the Sidelines of a College Football Game by Stanley Leary
How to Get Rid of Orange and Green Backgrounds with Flash by Stanley Leary
LCD vs. Viewfinder : Couple of Things to Consider by Stanley Leary
Rock Band Promo Shot by Stanley Leary
Attaining Good Skin Tones with Digital Cameras, Part 1 by Stanley Leary
Attaining Good Skin Tones with Digital Cameras, Part 2 by Stanley Leary