Have you ever gone out and seen a great image in the making? Was it the wrong time of the day? The wrong season? Or perhaps you didnt have your camera with you at that moment in time.
How do you deal with these situations? I used to have a little notebook and write down the location details with a promise to myself to go back at some future date to take the photograph. But, of course, I rarely went back. The notebook was filled with superb image-making material but very few images were forthcoming.
Well, why not use your digital camera (a compact will do) to record draft details of the location?
If you see a location that appeals then take a quick snap and go home. Upload this onto the computer and input details of the location. Then you can have a pictorial record of your possible future project.
What is the benefit of this?
I see the benefit as being that you will more likely remember the location if you see a draft image rather than empty words on a page in a notebook you will never refer to. And, also, the image you have can inspire you to think about how you would wish to take the photo when you do return to the scene. You can manipulate it in your computer image editing program and play around with it to inspire you to get the best image possible on your return to that location.
Ill bet it will make you more likely to retake and even better picture.
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com
