Adams talked about visualization — seeing the final image in his mind before taking the photograph. Do you ever “see” a photo in your head before you make it? How do you translate that idea into your actual image (through composition, editing, lighting, etc.)? by Kathryn Mayo

2025-04-22 02:20:38 UTC

Once I figure out where my next adventure will be taking me I am already formulating what I want to capture and the time of day which leads me to also check the weather forecasts ect

2025-04-22 04:45:14 UTC

I mean, yeah I suppose so. I definitely have an idea of what I want the photo to look like before I take it, and I'm not exactly taking it with no concept of what the final image would look like. I always have an idea of what it's going to appear like, and how the individual film stock would alter it

2025-04-22 05:01:56 UTC

Always, though it rarely goes to plan. I try to use my ideas as a starting point rather than an end goal!

2025-04-22 12:55:56 UTC

all the time but sometime I am out of focus

2025-04-22 15:24:27 UTC

I never gave it much thought until recently, but I've come to realize that this is something that I've always done. When I snap a photo, I'm attempting to capture that moment in time and preserve it.

2025-04-23 20:15:25 UTC

I don't think I can ever take the picture I think I'll need since I like overlapping stuff, but I do try to take pictures that I can imagine being good for combining with others. Sometimes I think about how it would look with something else

2025-04-24 04:40:37 UTC

I think about subject and composition more than anything, but I'm trying to consider exposure and tone more. With digital, it's easier to be more dialectic in approach, but with film, it requires much more forethought and intent.

2025-04-24 04:53:34 UTC

(Thought I’d posted, but not seeing it. I apologize if this is a repeat.)

Many years ago, a photographer told me I needed to learn the technical aspects of photography so I could create what I want to create instead of just shooting until I got “something.” I hated the technical side because I just wanted to be artistic. He was right, though. It’s hard to be intentional if you don’t know how to create the vision.

2025-04-24 22:21:28 UTC

I generally have a theme in mind, but I go searching for inspiration. Once I find it, with the proper lighting conditions, I will experiment framing the image. I will go back to the same place 4 or 5 times to re-capture images with new insight.

2025-04-27 03:13:39 UTC

Yes, I usually have an idea about a shot and will try to figure out the appropriate camera/lighting, equipment to use for it. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error.

2025-04-28 04:15:29 UTC

I’ve hardly ever pre-visualized a subject or scene. I usually just stumble on what I shoot. I do compose an image in the moment the way I want to see it finalized, though. But I still shoot with intention—whether it’s metering a certain way or rating my film at different speeds to get an outcome I like working with in the darkroom or when scanning. I’ve also got a pretty routine workflow in post too.

2025-05-12 19:19:29 UTC

For me, it's through the composition and lighting. I squint my eyes through the lens, or in general, at the area I'm aiming to photograph to see what color values appear. I do this to ensure I potentially capture majority of, or at least a dramatic "zone" difference.