What do you think about when you take a picture?

[EIngerson]

I think to myself, "Hey man....I'm taking a picture."

 

[marmots]

 

[RobertDarasz]

It's something like "Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, dat be good".

But seriously, mostly I don't think too much about it (you know - all that instinct bullsh*t) - unless it's a very complex and difficult subject. Usually I have this moment of enlightenment when I see a good spot and then I know it'll be good

 

[invisible]

sex, drugs and rock & roll

Either that, or "where have those clouds gone now?". My inner thoughts during photoshoots fall under the "polite" category, but what actually comes out of my mouth is – for the most part – sailor-speak. I talk to my camera and to the weather a lot, and they'd both blush if they could.

 

[raphaelaaron]

i think about cool things.

like quasars

 

[SurfCityJohn]

All the usual stuff. Composition, light, colors, contrast. But ultimately it all mixes into what I want the viewer to experience. What story am I telling. What moment am I capturing. Why? Is it meaningful? Will it bring pleasure, inspiration, or meaning to the viewer. Stuff like that.

 

[Majeed Badizadegan]

I think "how I can make this picture not suck?" with about a 10% success rate.

 

[imagemaker46]

Most of us do not need a camera to take a picture. Part of everyday life really, we walk around doing our daily rituals and see the images take place in front of us. Subject in the right light, right expression or one of those things you may never see again and wish you had been ready for the image. Basically "there it is" comes to mind when you see the shot in the viewfinder.
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Shoot well, Joe

Well said Joe. When you really understand light you see so many things in small images, where people that don't own/use cameras see just the big picture. I've always said the big picture is made up of thousands of small pictures, it takes a good photographer to see those ones.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

My bank account.

 

[imagemaker46]

It really depends on what it is that I'm shooting, once I'm ready to shoot (exposure is correct etc) if it's sports I try and put myself in the game, watching where the play is going, hoping that it's coming my way, trying to antisipate what will happen. I block out what is around me and just concentrate, on what I'm shooting.

 

[Destin]

Shooting sports, lets say football it's, "come on, come on. Run to this side of the field. YES, he's coming this way. Come on, Come on, do something interesting (as I'm snapping frames of him running), and then when someone hits him and the ball pops out, i'm going PLEASE TELL ME I GOT THAT." And then after the play I check my photos on my lcd, and if I got it I might fist pump, or high five the photog next to me, or get a stupid smile on my face. But if I missed it I just stand there depressed and wait for the next play.

 

[unpopular]

I try to quiet my mind completely.

Maybe that is why I've been accused of taking photographs of nothing.

 

[camz]

I tickle my camera's sweet spot.

But I do try to clear my head of all opinions and just act as an observer. No outward thoughts, just absorbing what's infront of me. It's weird, I feel like I blend into the walls or something...

If I don't do so, all I come up with are snapshots.

 

[invisible]

I try to quiet my mind completely.

Maybe that is why I've been accused of taking photographs of nothing.

As most of us who take photographs of nothing know, photographs of nothing require a LOT of thinking.

 

[unpopular]

^^ I am not sure thinking is the right word - concentration, yes. But I think that it's a more meditative or mindful kind of concentration, rather than thoughtful.

BTW - with names like ours, people are going to assume us photographers of nothing have low self esteem.