Happenstance Photography

I was listening to a podcast the other day and the photographer being interviewed stated "Photograph with a purpose". That resonated with me. This occurs when you have a specific objective in mind. For example, I'm going to photograph a turtle on the beach while the sun is setting. Additionally you are not willy-nilly snapping off shots with the hope of getting lucky. This is very easy to do with digital cameras. What happens, you end up with a bunch of photographs that wasn't worth the pixels.  

However, there are times when you photograph a scene or subject by chance. This is what I call Happenstance Photography. So why am I using this word, because it best describes the circumstance. Meaning the photograph you captured was not originally by design. There are two things that occur with Happenstance Photography. First and quite obvious you have your camera, any camera. The second is an opportunity arises to capture a photograph unexpectedly. For example the picture of the coconut lying on the beach rolling around in the surf as the waves come in and out. I had very little to do with setting the scene but took advantage of the opportunity. 

 

I sold this particular photograph as a gallery wrap which really lends to the ambiance. Had I not taken advantage of the situation, this shot would have only been a fading memory. See my blog Missed Opportunities 

Happenstance photography can occur at anytime, but it is necessary to put yourself in place for this to occur. I hope all your photographs are by design, but take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Please follow me here or on Twitter @DannyBaker0 I have several blogs in the queue so come back often.