This article shares two key questions that I do my best to ask myself… and answer… when I’m out in the field with my camera gear. I’ve found these two key questions have helped me make the most of the photographic opportunities that present themselves.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
Am I challenging myself and my camera gear?
Like many photographers I find that I can fall into a rut from time to time. When this happens I seem to lack enthusiasm and passion for what i’m doing with my camera gear. A general malaise can creep over me, resulting in lower levels of energy and creativity.
If I allow these feelings to take hold I end up having a less than enjoyable outing with my camera. And, I usually come home with far fewer usable photographs.
Asking myself these two key questions retrospectively is not good enough. By then I’m back home and my photo session is over. I’ve wasted both time and opportunities. To be meaningful I need to ask these two key questions while I’m in the moment with my camera gear. That way I can get myself back on track, be more productive, and creative.
Challenging myself and my camera gear can involve a wide range of factors. From a personal perspective a number of factors can come into play. Here are just a few of them… these are sub-questions to the bigger one noted in the heading above.
- Am I considering the available light and the best shooting angle possible given the conditions?
- Am I working hard at capturing my photographs correctly in camera in terms of composition, exposure and focus?
- Am I pushing my ability to handhold my camera gear at slower shutter speeds?
- Am I copping out by telling myself that I can fix my laziness in the field through post processing?
- Am I using my feet enough to get the most out of my camera gear, or am I using the focal length range of my zoom lenses as crutches for my own laziness?
There are other issues when considering my camera gear and its capabilities. There are more sub-questions related to gear.
- Am I using the IBIS performance of my camera as well as possible given the photographic conditions?
- Am I missing photographic opportunities because I have not adjusted my camera settings quickly enough? (this is key when using Custom Modes)
- Am I using the best ISO setting possible given shooting parameters?
- Am I operating my camera to maximize my chances of success? This could include using ETTR, focus/recompose, and other techniques.
- Am I trying to capture difficult photographs that would challenge the auto-focus ability of my camera or am I letting those opportunities pass me by?
Depending on the camera gear we have at hand, and the subject matter we are attempting to photograph, these considerations can vary for each of us.
Am I purposefully and thoroughly observing my surroundings?
Being aware of our surroundings opens up a wealth of photographic opportunities of which we may not be immediately aware. We’ve all faced situations when we’ve left home with specific photographic objectives in our mind. Sometimes conditions change or birds/wildlife does not appear as expected. This can cause us to trudge home in a disappointed state.
By purposefully observing our surroundings we can often see opportunities that we weren’t originally expecting to be present.
These could include other species of birds or animals. Or perhaps some dramatic lighting that helps to highlight a commonplace behaviour.
You may notice a common bird repeating an uncommon action.
We may notice a plant, flower, berry or leaf of interest.
Or perhaps a subject that demonstrates a specific concept like courage or perseverance.
Even the most common of birds when captured at the right moment can create an interesting composition if we harness our powers of observation.
Looking for details in our surroundings can lead to us creating a photograph, the opportunity for which may have only lasted for a few seconds.
Noticing small movements can lead to photographs.
Sometimes even little gems hidden inside other larger subjects can become apparent to us.
Making it a practice to ask myself these two key questions, “Am I challenging myself and my camera gear?” and “Am I purposefully and thoroughly observing my surroundings?” have led to the creation of many photographs that I would have otherwise missed. Most importantly these two key questions have helped me experience the joy of photography on a day-to-day basis.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. Crops are noted. This is the 1,053rd article published on this website since its original inception.
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Hi, I’ve been out with the M1X and 100-400 with 1.4 tc and can’t get the same results as you for bif, my keeper rate is maybe 60%. Could you give me or point me to how you have you camera set-up for that? If you have a book I would be glad to buy it.
Hi Brian,
There are a number of articles under the Birds in Flight category on this website. Here is one article that may be of interest: https://smallsensorphotography.com/bird-photography-settings
I pretty much only use my C1 and C4 Custom Mode settings for birds-in-flight.
Tom
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Could you also inform me/us where you got your subject distance stats from?
Thank you,
Brian Plath
Hi Brian,
My E-M1X estimates the subject distance. This information is in the EXIF data. I store all of my photography files in Windows Explorer and the subject distance is visible when I check a completed file. I right click on a file which reveals ‘Properties’. I then click on ‘Details’ and the subject distance is visible. There are likely ways to view this data through other software that reads EXIF data.
Tom
Thanks for the info.
I tried and the subject distance field is blank.
Hi Brian,
I can view the field when I open a file that I completed in post… otherwise the field does not show. Not every camera shows subject distance.
Tom
I have the M1X.
I will keep trying.
Thanks
Hi Brian,
I’m not sure if the software used to work with RAW files in post makes a difference or not. My process is DxO PhotoLab 4, PhotoShop CS6, Nik, then Topaz Denoise AI.
Tom
Great post, really enjoying your blog and I find it puts forth some great subjects. Your bird images are awesome, that 100-400 lens looks spectacular.
Thanks Steve… I’m glad you are enjoying the articles.
The M.Zuiko 100-400 is an excellent lens. I typically use it with the M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter for the additional reach. Being able to handhold at an efov of 1120 mm is awesome.
Tom
Tom, you have probably been asked before, do you have any concerns about future of M43. As I embark on this journey, I just worry a bit, because of the state of the camera industry.
Hi Steve,
The state of the camera industry is of concern to many people, especially since volumes have been in a bit of a free fall since 2012 or so. I don’t have any specific concerns about OM Digital and its line up of cameras and lenses.
FWIW here’s some of my rationale.
1) Olympus took a huge financial hit when the company finalized the transfer of the Imaging Division to OM Digital. That likely means that OM Digital acquired the division for a very attractive price and probably started the business with a very low level of debt. That should help start things off with the best chance of success.
2) From what I’ve read OM Digital did a good job cutting costs. For example, I think overall corporate head count was reduced from roughly 6,000 to 2,000. That should significantly lower operating expenses and fixed costs. They have also shifted some of their distribution from company owned to distributors in some countries. This should also help lower operating costs.
3) Demographically the average age of camera owners is increasing. Not that many younger people are buying dedicated cameras, and those that are tend to be interested in niche subjects like birding, nature and sports. As photographers got older they will likely be more interested in smaller, lighter camera gear. These market factors should be positive for M4/3 and OM Digital specifically.
4) OM Digital appears to be continuing with the development of computational photography. I firmly believe that this is the future of dedicated cameras and will be far more important than sensor size.
I suppose almost any camera company could fail given the contraction of the market. Most of the current line up of camera manufacturers are not focused on cameras as their core business. OM Digital is one of the few. Canon is mainly a business machine maker (copiers and printers). Fuji is a huge conglomerate with some emphasis on heavy machinery. Sony is more of an entertainment company than anything else. Panasonic’s core business is skewing toward auto battery development and manufacturing for e-vehicles. Cameras are more of a sideline for most companies that are in the business. Whether they will continue should the market continue to decline will be interesting to witness.
On a personal basis I had no reservation investing in OM-D and M.Zuiko products. I fully expect that what I currently own will more than meet my needs for the next decade. After that *shrugs* I’ll have to evaluate where my interests lie.
Tom
That is a great response, it eases my mind a bit. My exact reason for this experiment wit Micro 4/3 is the weight issue. I am 67 and some of this equipment was just becoming a chore to carry. I am not that much into tripods and do a lot of my images from a kayak. I am looking forward to what I can achieve.
Hi Steve,
I’m glad the reply was helpful. I’m a bit older than you are so I certainly understand the weight/size considerations… although my Olympus kit is much larger and heavier than my Nikon 1 gear.
Tom
Inspiring advice how to stay motivated, avoid burnout, and freshly re-engage with subjects and one’s gear to capture compelling photos. With impressive photos as evidence.
Thanks.
Thanks for adding to the discussion Kayaklake.
Tom
Tom, how do you know the focus distance is something like “67.8m”? is the Olympus including focus distance in the EXIF?
Nice article, and you are correct in your advice.
Hi Richard,
My E-M1X estimates the subject distance and it is in the EXIF data. I am able to view it in Windows Explorer.
Tom